It had been almost a year since the death of her brother. Ann never really got 

over the tragic incident, but much to her surprise, life soon became normal again

for all others, but never for Ann. A part of her had died, and she knew it was her

heart. 

The young girl decided to attend a music orchestra school in England. After Robert’s death, they never shut down the small beach house that Ann’s brother owned, but nobody ever went there again. However, everything inside was still active. Ann

buried her thoughts and quickly placed the picture into her suitcase. She grabbed

the suitcase and heaved it downstairs, where her mother was waiting for her.

“ Come on, hurry up, dear.” Mrs. Li beckoned, climbing into the driver’s seat of their Fiat. Mother and daughter bidded each other goodbye at the airport. Vicky Li kissed Ann on the cheek and told her to go and be careful.

Hours and hours later the American Airlines landed at the London airport. Ann climbed off the airplane along with the other passengers. Security guards stood still as statues at every entrance, an the airport here wasn’t as crowded. The girl’s eyes darted around for some sign of what she was looking for, a person or people who represented the Carson Music School.

Just then Ann heard her name.

“ Miss Ann Li!”

She spun around. A boy dressed in a blue uniform gestured toward her. He ran

over and took her suitcase, escorting her to a small group of people who were

dressed as he was. The boy was red-haired and freckled. His British accent was 

strong and he seemed very polite.

“ Miss Ann, this is our president, Mr. Aaron Yan. And I’m Ivan.” The red head

introduce.

Ann nodded and shook hands with Mr. Yan.

“ Welcome, Miss Li. We are honored to have you attend our music school.” Mr. Yan

said warmly.

“ Thank you for coming all this way.”

They escorted Ann to a van and rode to the school. England was beautiful in an

eerie way. Everything in London was so formal and exquistive. The construction 

was unique and brilliant, in Ann’s thoughts. They arrived at a white marble building 

and went inside. Pictures and portraits of the orchestra and extraordinary players were hung all over the wall.

Suddenly out of the corner of her eye, Ann saw a lock of slick blonde hair disappear

at a corner of the hallway the girl’s breath caught in her chest as Robert’s silvery blonde hair flashed across her mind. She dropped her suitcase and ran to the hall

where she had seen the boy. But just then the doors opened and a crowd of 

students holding violins came out. Ann searched frantically for the boy, but he was gone.

“ Ann, is anything wrong?” the voice of Ivan brought her back to her senses.

“ Oh, nothing.” Ann hesitated, then asked.

“ Is there a boy named Robert Li in the orchestra?” Ivan looked at her, puzzled.

“ None, Ann. Do you know someone with that name?” he asked. Ann’s eyes locked with Ivan’s , then she shook her head.

Later , Ann was brought to a dormitory, where there was two beds. Ivan addressed Ann to hers, which was on the far right.

“ Ann , I understand if you’re tired, but in an hour there will be a welcome ceremony 

for you. You can come if you wish.” Ivan set down her suitcase and walked out. 

The girl peered around the dormitory and hung her clothes up in a closet that she shared with the other girl. She’d just set down her picture of Robert and her when the door opened and a girl entered. The girl glanced at Ann, then walked up to her and held out her hand, her blonde curls dangling from an expensive butterfly hairpin.

“ Hello, I’m ….