Mask Intro

"You have to come!" Tina cried, "I won't have any fun without you there!".  This was our yearly ritual, we would be invited to some silly party at the Belle Song Theater where we both worked (Tina was the lead and I was one of the pianists) and Tina wouldn't rest until she was certain I was attending with her.

"Oh ya?" I questioned, "What about Kurtis?  Won't he be there to keep you company?" Last year when Tina and I went to this party Tina and Kurtis (Tina's boyfriend) ran off somewhere leaving me alone all night long.
"Ya he's gonna be there, but still!" she continued, "I want my best friend there with me!"

I sighed, "I don't see why I have to attend every little party the Belle Song throws!  I can understand why you need to attend, your the star after all! I'm just the pianist, trust me no one will miss me Tina."  It was true, no one ever cared about the people who played the music, they only cared about the great voice singing it.

"Come on Mia!  It'll be fun!" Tina urged.  I rolled my eyes.

"Fine, I'll go!  Just stop bugging me." I said finally giving in.  I mean, how bad could a Masquerade party be?

"Yay!" Tina cheered with a huge grin, "I can't wait!  I have the perfect costume for you!  Your gonna love it, come on!"

--Two Days Later--

"Well? Are you enjoying yourself??" Tina asked, muffled by her mask's nose.
"I guess so," I answered "I'm personally not a fan of Masquerade parties, I cant tell who's who." I finished.

"Well, you look amazing!" Tina said with a smirk, "How do I look?"
I thought for a moment, "You look like your usual self...with a mask on."  Tina always wore big fluffy dresses in all sorts of breathtaking colours for her singing performances, whereas I just wore black so I wouldnt take away from the stage's beauty queen which was Tina herself.

Tina looked as though she was going to say something else, when a masked man came up from behind her and spun her in his direction.  At first I was confused thinking 'Who is this guy?' until I herd him speak.

"Hey hunny," he said softly.  'Kurtis, I should have known' I thought.  "Hey baby!" Tina replied giving him a quick kiss, "Where have you been?"
"Oh yanno, around." Kurtis said with a wink, "How about you and I dance a bit."
"Okay!" she answered looking over at me as if to say: 'Just this one time?  Please??'

I rolled my eyes as if to say: 'Go ahead.' and with that Tina and Kurtis disapeared into the croud of dancing couples.

I sighed, 'Alone again' I thought to myself.  There was no point for me to stay-I knew that Tina wouldn't be back- so I headed for the door.  'So much for this then, what a stupid party.' I thought on my way out.

I had made it to the Belle Song's entry way when I herd silent notes being played out of tune with the party's music.

I turned my head 'That sounds like someone's playing my piano' I thought.  I looked in the direction of the stage entrance, 'Just go home Mia' I thought to myself but there was a part of me that wanted to see where the music was coming from.

Torn, I desided to take a quick look and then head home.  So quickly I turned around and headed inside the Theater.

As I got closer to the door the silent music got louder, 'There's deffinitly someone in there,' I thought, 'I should just go.' but for some reason I couldn't, it was like something was leading me into the theater.

So quietly, I crept inside, the beautiful music filling my ears.

I looked around until I saw a masked man wearing all black playing the grand piano on the stage.

I should have left then, but it was like the music was brain washing me.  Leading me towards the man slowly. 

I stopped by the stage cutain and said "Excuse me Sir?" trying to get his attention.

Quickly he stopped playing and turned.  After looking at me for what seemed like an hour he finally said "I'm sorry, I should leave." as silent as a whisper.  "No, it's alright you can stay." I quickly answered.  So quickly he turned back to the piano and began to play again.

Not sure of what to do, I walked across the stage and sat down next to him on the piano bench.  He seemed to gasp very silently as I did this, but said nothing.  I slowly began to take off my mask, hoping he would do the same, but he didn't even look up.

I began to feel akward, "You play wonderful" I said after a moment, "Did you write this music?" I asked.

"Yes" he answered. 
"Oh, well it sounds beautiful" I finished.
"Thank you" he whispered.
"So um...what's your name?" I asked him.
"Lucas"
"Oh, it's nice to meet you Lucas, I'm-"

"Mia" he whispered.

"Um..yea, how did you know that?" I asked astonished
"I just know" He answered.
"Oh..."

It became silent again, but I didn't care, it was as if the music he was playing was charming me like a snake.

Slowly, I placed my hands over the piano keys and began to play along.  It was strange how quickly I learned this new peice, it was as though I had known this song my whole life.  I don't understand what came over me, but all of a sudden I began to sing.  It wasn't just a few easy notes either, they were acual lyrics to this acual tune.  I had no idea where they came from.

"Your singing is beautiful" Lucas whispered.
"Not really," I answered "Tina, the star here, is much better.  I can't sing well." I said shooting down his compliment.
"You have potential"

"I'm not a singer, I'd need lessons." I sighed.
"Well..." he stammered.
"Yes?" I questioned.

"I could teach you." he offered.
'Is he a music teacher or something?' I thought to myself, 'Why would he want to teach me to sing?'
"You'd do that for me?" I asked.
"Mia, I'd do anything for you." he whispered.

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