I walk through the dark hallway with my arms extended in front of me. “Its so da… before I can finish I feel a rope tighten around my neck and im lifted off the ground. I stuggle for air and wake up sitting on my bed. “It was just a dream. I laugh and lay down in my bed.”

“What are we doing?” “Shouldn’t we go back and look for the others?”

“So we are coiming to a fork here.” Right goes towards the stairs to the next level and left goes towards one of the auditoriums. What do you guys think?”

*I reply to autumn* “theres a janitorial closet near the auditorium but I feel like thats not where we want to be right now.”

*I look down the hallway behind us* “this hallway takes us deeper into the building but its the only way we can go.”

*I stand up* “im a music student also. Ive never seen this here before, and im in this building everyday.”

“Was that always there?”

I sit opposite chael and rico and gesture for Jillian to sit next to me.

*I notice Jillian and smile and gesture her towards us.*

“I think thats a great idea.”

*I light a cigarette and wait for Rico.*

*I look at the ground as we walk.* “I hope so.”

“Not long. Less than a year. I came to see my mother.”

“Of course,” *Rico and I start walking with them.*

*I motion toward Rico* “Come on Nicola I’ll walk you back to the dorms so you can change into some warmer clothes.*

*I wave to Autumn.* “It’s nice to meet you.” *Walking over to Dakota I offer him my hand* “It’s nice to meet you Dakota I’m Nayr.*

“Non che male.” *I hug him* “It’s the past. Can I join you? Will you introduce me?”

*I kiss her head and rub her back* “Ciao Rico. It’s been awhile.” *I see Chael approach in the distance. With a blank expression and wide eyes I wave.* “Ciao.”

*When I arrive at the beach I see Nicola sitting by the fire.* “Oi, Rico!” *I wave and walk toward them.*

*I read my sisters text* (Rico: We are going to the beach today and it would mean a lot to me if you would come.) *Slightly agitated I walk off campus and head toward the beach.*

*After getting bandaged up in the nurses office Nayr* decided to skip class for the day and headed back to his dorm with a big grin. He sat down on his bed with his phone and reflected on what had transpired with Jillian. He hoped she wasn’t upset with him and wondered if she knew he was only trying to be sweet. His happy thoughts were… Read more

*He gave her a big smile and grabbed her hand with his good hand and kissed the back of her hand.* “Thanks you very much for walking with me,” he said with a grin releasing her hand.* “I should probably get bandaged up now.”

“I play piano so I can’t use vibrato at all.” *He smiled at her* “You’re beautiful you know that?

“I’m sure you’re just fine.” *He smiled at her as they approached the nurses office.*

“well you know Brahms and Beethoven wrote famous duet sonatas for piano and violin if you ever want to play with me.”

“Is that so?” He said with a grin. *He felt relieved but also embarrassed for having asked. He scrambled to think of something to say.* “So do you like music?” Was all he could think to say.

“Yea, I do. So are you and your dorm mate still dating?” He asked shyly. *His face went red and he immediately regretted asking having should have stuck to small talk.*

*Nayr looked down at his bloody hand as they walked and gave a half smirk* “I guess this means I won’t be playing the piano for a while,” he mumbled. *He looked Jillian remembering the time he confessed his crush to her. His face flushed at the embarrassment of her rejection.*

“Yea I guess I am,” he said examining himself. *He grabbed her hand and allowed her to help him to his feet. His head was pounding and his nose was bleed rapidly. His right hand had a searing pain and was bleeding quite profusely from his knuckles as well. He suddenly became aware of all the eyes on him.* “Will you go with me?” He asked.

“Ehrm, yea I’ll be alright,” he said realizing how terrible he must look.

*Nayr glanced behind him just in time to see Chael slip away through the crowd.* Jillian stood in front of him now and he could feel his face flush a red hot, both out of anger and embarrassment. “Hey there,” was all he could think to say.

*Nayr rolled across the ground as hit the pavement coming to rest on his side.* “Is that why you’re here then? To bring me back? I’m not going anywhere,” he said with a kind of final tone. *He lifted himself off the ground slowly; holding his bad hand between his arm and side. He looked around realizing they were drawing a crowd now.

*Nayr wiped his face on his shirt* “You wonder why I wanted to leave? Your mom hated me! When she found out about me after Fathers affair she only agreed to adopt me to spite my mother.” *Nayr threw another punch at Chael this time hitting him in the chin with his bad hand.*

*Nayr hit the pavement with a dull thud. He rolled onto his and strained himself to get on his feet. He clenched his nose to stop the bleeding and gave Chael a dark look, his eyes partially obscured by his bangs..*

*Spinning around quickly Nayr Clenched his good fist and threw a cross at Chael Striking him in the teeth.*

“Don’t you dare say a word about my mother! Che Palle!” *Nayr bolted upright and stormed out of the building.*

“What are you doing here anyway? How did you even find me? I thought you wanted to stay with dad in Florence.” *He looked away.* “Don’t even try to tell me you came here for my sake, you’re not even my real brother.”

*as his fingers glided across the board, blood seeped through the bandages and stained the ivory keys. Nayr stopped and frowned at his hand* “Merda,” he sighed.

*When he had calmed down Nayr examined his hand, his knuckle was bleeding and a dull pain swelled in his fingers.* “Merda,” he mumered. *Nayr opens his window and peeks his head out, seeing no sign of Chael he leaves his dorm and heads toward the nurses office.*

*With his hand wrapped Nayr decided to go to the music room to clear his head.*