Chapter 73 Sting of the Keys
“Wow,” Theo breathed as Leitana slid into her seat.
Her body trembled faintly, hands rubbing together as if she could warm the nerves away. Her chest rose and fell too fast, breath shallow.
“Don’t mind that jerk,” Lila said, turning toward her with a small, reassuring smile. “He’s just looking for someone to dump the frustration of his miserable life on.”
Leitana met her eyes and managed a weak smile.
“He h–had no right to do t–that,” Kai stammered, glancing at her with a soft, shy look.
Leitana nodded at him, grateful.
“If you’re done with whatever conversation you’re having over there,” Professor Harlan snapped, his gaze slicing across the room toward Ethan’s group, “perhaps we can begin.”
Silence fell instantly. Everyone faced forward.
Ethan’s jaw tightened, but he said nothing.
Harlan nodded, satisfied.
“Today, each of you will perform the excerpt I assigned last week—Beethoven’s Sonata No. 8, second movement, measures one through thirty-two. We’ll start with Miss Vale.”
Sabrina rose smoothly, flashing a sweet smile.
“Thank you, Professor,” she said, her voice polished, almost sultry.
She walked to the piano, hips swaying just enough to be noticed.
Harlan’s expression softened—approving.
Mia leaned toward Leitana and whispered, “He’s so biased. Her dad’s on the board of trustees. That’s why she gets away with everything.”
Theo muttered, “Watch. They’ll hand her the concerto solo too.”
Sabrina sat, fingers poised.
She played with ease—controlled, perfect, rehearsed. The room listened.
Leitana did too.
She felt it immediately.
She’s good, Leitana admitted.
Really good.
Flawless, even.
When Sabrina finished, polite applause rippled through the room.
Harlan smiled—genuine this time.
“Excellent control, Sabrina. Beautiful tone. That’s the standard.”
Sabrina inclined her head, then glanced sideways—straight at Leitana.
Triumph gleamed on her face.
Harlan waved her back to her seat.
“Next. Let’s move.”
One by one, the others played. Feedback ranged from neutral to mildly critical.
Ethan played with sensitivity and fire.
“Solid,” Harlan said curtly. “Work on the left-hand voicing.”
Then Mikey. Kai. Lila. Theo. All strong. All briefly acknowledged.
Finally, Harlan’s gaze landed on Leitana.
“Miss… Ashbourne,” he said flatly. “Your turn. Play whatever you know.”
Her hands shook as she stood.
She sat at the piano.
Closed her eyes.
And played her hymn—simple, honest, every note pulled from somewhere deep in her chest.
The final chord faded.
Silence.
Then Harlan spoke.
“This,” he said, unimpressed, “is inappropriate.”
Leitana looked up, startled.
“It’s sentimental,” he continued. “Underdeveloped. Technically shallow. This isn’t a church. It’s Juilliard.”
Her chest tightened painfully.
“In fact,” he added, standing, “this tells me nothing about your ability.”
That wasn’t true.
And everyone knew it.
“Amateur phrasing. No dynamic contrast. Rhythmically sloppy in the middle section.”
Sabrina and her friends snickered.
Heat rushed to Leitana’s cheeks.
“Today,” Harlan said, “you’ll learn something proper. Bach. Invention No. 8. Watch.”
He sat beside her, too close and demonstrated, fingers sharp and mechanical.
“Now you.”
Leitana copied as best she could.
He stopped her after eight measures.
“Wrong articulation. Staccato, not legato. Again.”
She tried.
“Fingers too heavy. Lift them. Again.”
She played.
He smacked the back of her hand, quick and sharp.
She flinched.
“Light touch. Do it right.”
Sabrina laughed openly.
Leitana’s eyes burned, but she straightened.
Played again.
“Still sloppy,” Harlan said coldly. “Focus. Or don’t waste my time.”
The room shifted, some uncomfortable, others entertained.
Ethan’s fists clenched.
Leitana kept playing.
Note by note.
Her hand stung. Tears pressed hard behind her eyes.
She refused to break.
“No,” Harlan snapped. “Again.”
She adjusted.
“No. Slower.”
She slowed.
“No. Too soft.”
She pressed harder.
Harlan exhaled sharply.
“Do you hear yourself? You’re guessing. This is discipline.”
Her fingers trembled.
She tried again.
He struck her hand again.
The sound cracked through the room.
Leitana bit back a cry.
Gasps followed.
“Wrong,” Harlan said calmly. “Pay attention.”
Sabrina smiled.
Ethan half-rose before Mikey grabbed his arm.
Leitana swallowed hard and played again.
“Wrong.”
Again.
“Wrong.”
“This is basic,” Harlan said icily. “Either you lack training, or you lack intelligence.”
Her vision blurred.
Still, she played.
Finally, Harlan stood.
“Enough. You’ll learn Mozart. Sonata in C major, K.545. First movement.”
A murmur spread.
“That’s… not beginner,” Kai whispered.
Harlan faced her again.
“You’ll practice it,” he said. “Perfectly. By next week.”
Leitana stared at him, confused, she didn’t even know the piece but she didn’t speak.
“Yes, sir,” she whispered.
Something sharp flickered in his eyes.
“Class dismissed.”
Chairs scraped. Voices burst out.
Leitana stayed seated.
Theo breathed, “Fucking hell.”
Ethan stood, furious. “He had no right.”
Leitana nodded, rubbing her sore hand.
Her chest still ached.
But beneath it burned something else.
Not fear.
Resolve.
“I will learn it,” she whispered.
She stared at the ivory keys, tears gathering, threatening to fall.
Then a hand touched her shoulder.
She turned to find Ethan, and the others standing behind her.
“Hey, hon,” Lila said softly. “Are you okay?”
The moment the words left Mia's mouth, something broke in Leitana.
The tears came fast and heavy, spilling freely down her cheeks.
Lila and Mikey rushed forward, pulling her into a tight hug. The others stepped closer, not touching, but close enough that she could feel their warmth around her.
“You’re good,” Mia said as she pulled back, cupping Leitana’s face gently. “And you’re going to prove it to all of them.”
Leitana nodded, her eyes already red and burning.
“And we’re going to help you,” Ethan added.
She looked up at him, nodded once more, then smiled faintly as she wiped at her tears.
“Mi sorry,” she said softly. “Mi just… filled with many feelings. Tank yu.”
She looked at each of them in turn.
Mia opened her mouth to say something else.
A sharp ringtone cut through the room.
Leitana turned toward the sound. Her phone was vibrating on the chair a few feet away from her.
And she already knew who it was.