• In the Black and White Room


    Bored eyes watched as rain plinked against the window of the room the size of an average house. Annabelle's messy, ebony bangs hung in hair as she watched the droplets of water crash against the surface of the glass. She breathed against it, a layer of condensation covering it like fog. She giggled softly as her pinky ran over the cold surface to create a smily face.

    "Ms. Annabelle?" a shy voice called from the other side of the room. The young woman's emerald eyes looked back at one of the maids who had entered the room. "Y-Your grandfather will be out for the afternoon. You are free to explore the house to your leisure," she informed, sheepishly playing with her fingers behind her back. Annabelle nodded and waved the nervous maid off.

    The grandfather clock struck twelve. At the last chime of the clock in her room, she glanced beside it. Her violin case was propped up against the side of the magnificent clock. She gazed at it a bit longer before sauntering over to it, taking it by the handle and marching out of the room, her combat boots clunking against the wooden floor.

    Annabelle wandered throughout the mansion, searching high and low for the perfect place to practice. The vast library didn't echo the sound. The kitchen was far too messy and maids and butlers roamed the house anyhow, cleaning and cooking and doing other various tasks. The short haired young woman pouted as she leaned against the golden railing of the grand staircase in the entrance hall. "There is absolutely no quiet place in this god forsaken house," she mumbled to herself.

    She dragged her feet against the floor as she made her way back to her to her room, her violin still tucked away and untouched. Suddenly, a soft, enchanting sound graced the young woman's ears. It was hard to describe. It was sweet and slow, but at the same time graced with a bit of sorrow. Her feet acted on their own and followed the sound to the end of the hall. She stood in front of a door, one with a silver doorknob. 'That's strange,' she thought to herself. 'All the other doorknobs are golden except this one.'

    Her hand placed itself on the knob and turned. She peered into the room, curiosity overwhelming her mind. Inside of the small room was a grand piano. It was a golden brown color with a glossy sheen to it. Playing the wonderful instrument was a young man. His hair was a dark copper color and it messily hung in his face. His eyes were closed but his long, ivory fingers dancing across the black and white keys of the piano. As the young woman stepped into the room, she noticed it was also different than most of the others. Every other wall was painted black and the other painted white. Even every other board of the floor was like that. It was interesting.

    Annabelle quietly walked up next to the piano, stopping right before it. She let the music of the piano soak into her a little more before taking out her violin. It too was black and white. Very untraditional. She began to play along side of the young man before her. Suddenly, he whipped around and stopped playing, a shocked and worried expression on his face. Annabelle looked at his eyes. The right one was sapphire while the left one was golden.

    "I'm terribly sorry Ms. Annabelle! I was just cleaning! I swear!" he apologized, bowing lower than she stood straight. She was five-foot after all. She giggled at his reaction and patted his head, ruffling his hair in the process. He looked up at her with bigger eyes than before. She looked down at him with joyful eyes.

    "Can you play that song again? It was beautiful," she said smiling at him. The nameless man still held a bewildered look. Not a moment later, though, he stood up again and smiled softly, seating himself back down on the piano bench. He steadied his fingers on the keys once more before letting them dance across them. The tune flowed through Annabelle once again and she played along side him, the sweetness of both instruments melding together into one. The sound was incredible. It was like a story of sorrow and joy melting into each other. Annabelle felt like she had to play the song forever.

    Soon after, both musicians stopped. The young man smiled at the keys then up at Annabelle. "You play that violin wonderfully Ms. Annabelle," he complimented. The young woman smiled.

    "You play a mean piano too um . . . what was your name?" she asked, sheepishly rubbing the back of her head. He laughed softly.

    "It's Anri," he said. Annabelle then wrapped her arms around his neck. Anri was honestly surprised. He looked at her. She was smiling at him.

    "Can you promise me something Anri?" she asked.

    "Anything Ms. Annabelle," he said.

    "First, promise to call me Annabelle, not miss anything, ok?" He laughed heartily and nodded. She smiled and whispered the second promise in his ear. Blood rushed to his face but he nodded in agreement. "Good." Annabelle took his hand and began to drag him from the room, a playful look in her eyes. Anri smiled and let the promise ring in his mind for a long time.


    "Promise me that you'll play that song with me everyday in the Black and White Room."