Ophelia Read Online Free Page B

younger boys looked up to him. He cared about them and played nice to them most of the time, but I heard he was not to be messed with when he was having a bad day.
    My piece was coming to an end and I knew my time at the piano was about to be over. Not wanting to waste a moment, I switched to another piece without taking a pause. His eyes met with mine. “Frederic Chopin?” he asked, and I nodded with a hint of a smile. I was surprised he recognized it because it wasn't the composer’s most famous piece. “My mom really liked Chopin. In her opinion, he was the greatest.” He added, his eyes welling up.
    It broke my heart to see the sadness in his eyes. I knew it wasn't something he would let just anyone to see. Even though I kept quiet, he must have felt like he could trust me.
    “He's my favorite.” I said, my voice raspy. The sound of it almost surprised me.
    His eyebrows furrowed and a smirk appeared on his face. “Did you just speak to me or am I hallucinating?”
    I rolled my eyes, I didn't like that he was making a big deal out of it. “I did,” I said returning my eyes on the piano, embarrassed.
    “My mom isn't dead, but she is in a coma and has been for over a year now. The chances she will ever wake up is close to none.”
    How terrible I thought. Knowing someone is alive and not being able to talk to her, to look in her eyes. To connect in any way. It would drive me nuts.
    “I’m sorry. My parents are gone – I’m alone.” I looked him straight in the eye and I stopped playing. I hated that I'd opened up about it so easily. I bit on the inside of my cheek fiercely, I was so angry.
    “I won’t tell anyone if that’s what you are worried about.”
    Could I trust him? I would only find out with time. “Thank you.” The words escaped my mouth and I started playing again.
    “Teo, can you come here? Luke is being mean again.” One of the youngest boys came in, interrupting us.
    His eyes shifted for one second to the left of my line of sight. “I’m in the middle of something here. I can’t.” He waited, watched the little boy leaving the room, grumbling something incoherent. “Is this why you have nightmares every night?” he asked curiously as if we had never been interrupted.
    Embarrassed, I wished he hadn't heard me or the sounds that escaped me while I slept, but I nodded anyway. The things I had seen that night would terrify me as long as I lived.
    My time at the piano came to an end. I always dreaded that moment because I wished I’d had time to play one more piece. I took my sheet music and stood up. Teo was standing by the piano, probably waiting for me to say something, but I didn’t. I only gave him a small polite smile before I turned around and headed out of the room.
    “Ophelia, stop!” He grabbed my arm and restrained me. I turned my gaze to his, wondering what he wanted. “You can talk to me, okay? I’ll listen and I’ll try to help.” He paused. “You aren't like anyone else here. I mean, you don't brag about how bad your life is or how tough you are and it’s refreshing. I want to be there for you because I know that deep down, you need someone to talk to.”
    Fuck! I didn't know what to say, he had ambushed me. And the worst part was, he had a point. I needed someone.
    “Just say something.”
    I was scared to say anything. “Thank you, but I can’t.”
    He rolled his eyes at me. “Unless you are legally prohibited from speaking, you can. And I strongly doubt a judge would do such a thing.”
    “It’s my choice. I have to protect what’s left of my sanity. I can’t get attached to anyone ever.”
    “I promise to be a total ass then. I swear you won’t get attached to me.”
    I chuckled. He really wasn't going to let it go. “Okay.” I gave in and we walked out of the room together.
    I normally liked to spend the last free hour of the night reading or writing to Bev, but Teo stayed glued to my side and I didn't know what to do.
    “Don't you want to