Playing piano is what makes me feel alive. Every time my nimble fingers spread across the keys, I can feel the electricity surging through my veins. The rush of excitement that ignites within me couldn't be explained in words. The feeling of the white and black keys beneath my fingertips completes me, in more ways than one. My mind, heart and soul always embrace the warmth radiating from the piece of art in front of me. This is what makes me, me.

I was brought back to the real world when I heard the front door downstairs open.

"Is anybody home?!"

I heard some shuffling then it was silent. I was about to answer my brother's question, but I got startled when he shouted a loud 'yes!!' that echoed inside the house. I just shrugged and let him think that he's alone. I got up from the leather piano bench. I had been sitting there for almost three hours. That explains the numbness of my legs and the soreness of my back.

I lay down on the bed, closed my eyes and let my body relax. My mind kept wandering to the events that happened earlier. Vivid flashbacks of my so-called friends mocking me, my classmates looking at me with disgust and an intense pool of black eyes that held my eyes captive played repeatedly.

I opened my eyes abruptly. I don't remember that last part. I searched even the deepest part of my brain for those same black eyes, but none appeared. In utter disappointment, I closed my eyes and let sleep take over my drained body.

Tomorrow is another day, right?

-----

Several eyes turned and stared at me. Every hue scrutinized my every move. Every breath that I take feels suffocating. Every step that I make weakens me. I ducked my head in embarrassment and plugged my earphones in my ear, but their laughs and whispers still get to me. My whole body trembled, but I continued.

"One last step..." I mumbled to myself and willed my body to move towards my destination. As I was about to take another step, someone pushed me purposefully. I stumbled and fell face-flat to the dirty floor. That was the last straw. I sobbed and didn't bother to hide the unpleasant sound that was coming from my mouth.

I heard footsteps coming near me, the sound gradually increasing. I shrank myself against the cold locker and continued sobbing. Gentle hands rested atop my shoulder, yet I flinched and shielded myself away.

"Sshh. Please don't cry," a melodious voice entered my ears and reverberated through my brain. I sobbed harder at the gentleness of her voice.

"Don't cry. I'm here. Please.. Stop crying."

She enveloped my weakened body in her arms and rubbed my back soothingly. She kept whispering comforting words to me that made me sob harder. I don't deserve this kind of treatment.

"It hurts to see you like this. Please, Jessi, stop."

I stiffened. How did she know my name? That nickname... I never heard it before.

I broke away from the embrace and found her mesmerizing pair of eyes gazing at me intensely. I felt a shiver ran throughout my body. She then placed her right hand on my left cheek and caressed it lovingly. She also wiped the remnants of tears on my face and gave me a genuine smile afterwards.

"Now, smile for me, Jessi."

Rapid knocks on my door made me left my 'nightmare turned into dream'.

"You're going to be late for school if you don't wake up this instant, Princess."

I groaned at the mention of school and kicked my blanket on the floor dejectedly.

"Yes, mom. Be ready in a bit."

-----

I drove extra slow to school today. I tried telling my mom that I'm not feeling well, but she just shrugged it off and turned her attention to Krystal. Yes, I still love my mom. I tried my luck with dad, but apparently, my acting didn't work.

"Jung, you're a mess."

As soon as I opened my BMW's door, I get a compliment. I was wearing the usual;