When he couldn't sleep, which was often, Luhan would go to school early. He would let himself in through the janitor's entrance and go to the music room. In the far back corner there was a soundproof booth that was used for recording vocals. He would go there and sit on the floor in the dark, singing softly to himself. No one had ever heard him sing. No one had ever hear him speak in anything but a whisper. Not even his mother. Luhan was aware that his shyness would keep him from ever making any real friends, but he had come to accept it. As long as he could sing, he felt what he assumed was happy. 

There was a string quartet playing in his head today. Luhan could feel the music. The cello made his bones hum. The viola caressed his spine like a mother consoling a child. The vibrato of the violins breaking his heart and bringing tears to his eyes. His mouth opens and his voice would come out in sigh. Barely more than a whisper, he would sing along with the music in his head. Sometimes there were words, but not today. He sat there in the dark, his knees pulled up to his chest, and vocalized along with the music in his head.

After some time a beeping sound brought Luhan out of his trance. Turning off the alarm on his watch he got up off of the floor with a reluctant sigh and left the booth, making his way in the dark to the door.

"You have a nice voice. Why do you sing so low?"

Luhan jumped and knocked over several music stands. The light at the sound booth and a boy with a round face and wide eyes came forward to help Luhan pick up the stands.

"Are you OK? Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you."

Luhan just nodded, not looking at him.

"What's your name? I'm Minseok. Today is my first day here. I was nervous so I came early to check things out. I hope you aren't mad I listened in on you." He ducked his head down to try to get Luhan, who was hiding behind his hair, to look at him. When he finally got him to make eye contact Minseok smiled, his eyes lighting up. "What's your name?"

Luhan looked at the other boy, taking in his almond eyes and white skin, the slightly crooked smile. He felt the cello hum in his head. "Luhan.", he whispered, and hid behind his hair once more.

"Luhan. Nice. It fits you." His smile widened and he held out his hand.  "It's nice to meet you."

Luhan shook it lightly and then let go.

"So, do you mind showing me to the office?", Minseok asked as he walked to the door, holding it open for Luhan to go ahead of him. Luhan nodded and walked down the hall, not looking to see if the other boy was following him. The new boy walked about 10 feet behind him, hands in his pockets, smiling to himself.

"You know, you really do have a nice voice. I would like to hear you sing a song with lyrics next time."

Luhan stopped in front of the main office and turned to him, looking at his chest. "There won't be a next time. Here is the office. Good bye.", then he turned and shuffled down the hall toward his classroom.

A small smile curved Minseok's lips. "I hope you are wrong about that."