#daphnefml

For a fairly attractive young man, there was a rather hideous look of disgust that Isaac wore on his face as he read who he was paired up to work with for his English Lit project. If possible, his expression became even more sour when he read the bolded and underlined words at the bottom of the page informing students that there would be no switching of partners under any circumstances. The only reassuring thought, which was that at least he wouldn’t have to deal with her until after school, was quickly snuffed out when Professor Cole entered the room and instructed them to sit with their assigned partners. The unpleasant expression still present on his face, he walked moodily to where Daphne was sitting, and slumped down into the chair next to her. “Professor Cole must be the Devil, because this is definitely Hell.” He commented in an undertone, a humorless laugh escaping his throat, before he shook his head. “Actually no, scratch that.  This isn’t Hell; it’s worse. I think I’d actually prefer the fire, brimstone, and eternal torture of the soul over this.”

Michael took the cello very seriously, and it was by far the thing he was best at; but it wasn’t the only instrument he played. He was also a highly proficient piano player, and although he hadn’t played at all in the months since everything that had happened with Cynthia, having been even more obsessively dedicated to the cello than usual since then, now face to face with the prospect of seeing Daphne at long last, he had decided to take a stab at re-familiarizing himself with the keys while trying to kill time and keep calm as he waited for her to show up at the agreed upon meeting time. His eyes were closed as he ran his hands across those keys, filling the room with the soft sounds of a quiet melody. Although it was a greater challenge for him in a literal sense due to not being as good at it, there was something easier about playing the piano than the cello; he didn’t feel the need to take it as seriously, instead being able to just enjoy himself as the played the music. As he heard the door to the room open from off to the side, he continued to play the song, if only to give himself another moment to prepare for the moment when he was finally looking into Daphne’s eyes again, and he gently sang the words.

“Cause I know I’ve seen you before Won’t you shine A little light On us now”

Concluding the piece with the best improvisation he could muster given his rust, he sighed, before lifting his gaze to the face he knew so well but hadn’t seen in over a year. Smiling a little, he gave a small shrug of his shoulders. “Any requests?” He asked softly.

“Oh jeez. Are you really asking me this right now? That’s a pretty hard question. It’s actually a bit crazy how attractive the people around here are. But…alright… I’d have to say Valentina is the first person that comes to my mind. Max is next. Then Daphne. I saw a new girl here; I think I heard her name was Sienna? I only saw her for a second, but she’s pretty gorgeous. And Dawn is really pretty too.”