Aunt Abbie tells me that before the car accident, the younger me enjoys playing the piano in my pastime.

In the living room, an old piano sits in the corner and it turns out that I'm the owner. When I was asleep in the hospital, Aunt Abbie retrieved whatever items she could from my old house before they put it up for sale. More than half of the money contributed to my medical expenses, whereas the rest went into my bank account for college, together with what's left of my mother's savings.

Without my aunt, I don't know what I would have done.

My fingers rest on the cool piano keys before they play a song which I'm familiar with. It's the same one that I played when I first moved here. A light, joyful melody fills my ears before it eventually ends on a sad note. It's a simple waltz, but I believe it holds more meaning behind it than I know of.

Aunt Abbie leans against a wall, watching me play from the side with a soft smile. "I know little about playing the piano but this is beautiful," she marvels. "How are you even doing it? It's astounding."

I stare down at my hands. We both know it's the only song I ever know how to play, not from the books, but from my instinct. "Yeah, it's rather strange how I know how to play it, but I don't remember where and how I've learnt it."

"Don't worry, this is already a great start. You'll remember it someday."

"What if I don't?"

I let her words sink into my head. She reaches for my shoulder and gives me a squeeze. "Who did you say you were meeting after school tomorrow?"

"Taylor, a friend from school. He has helped me out a few times."

"He's from the Maxwell family?" I nod and she frowns. "His parents are kind of aloof, but I have heard nothing bad about the boy. Don't be home too late, alright?"

I nod. "I'll be careful."

Just then, Judy exits the kitchen. Putting on a straight face, she walks past us to head back to her room, oblivious to the traces of chocolate that are smeared around the edges of her mouth and chin.

There's something new to expect every day when you're living with a child. Her silly antics keep you busy for the entire day. Once, a hand fell off one of her old dolls and she cried, but by the next morning, she had buried it two feet under the soil and probably forgot the existence of it when she saw a new toy that Uncle Dave bought for her.

A knowing smile breaks out on my face. "Hey, Juds." I call out to her in a teasing tone. "What's that thing around your mouth?"

The little snack robber freezes just as Aunt Abbie catches on to what I'm referring to. "Judy!" she exclaims. "What did I say about no snacks before dinner?"

The girl breaks out in fits of giggles and escapes to her room, with her mother close on her tail. I hear their playful squeals and smile to myself before returning to my piano and playing the same music piece once more.

But for some odd reason, the first thing that comes to my mind is Kyle.

***

The next day after Literature class ends, I grab my bag and leave the classroom quickly. In fifteen minutes, I'm meeting Taylor at the school's entrance.

Previously, we had agreed to meet up for lunch today, but because Blaire insisted on having my company during our break and my loyalty lies with her; I stayed with her. I told Taylor about the change of plan and that we should hit a nearby cafe after classes, and he readily agrees.

As I head down the stairs, someone bumps into my shoulder from behind, sending my books flying out of my arms and hitting the ground. I stumble a few steps but get a good grip on the railing to steady myself. My head swivels to the side, annoyance flashing in my eyes.

Carly appears next to me, her outfit and hair as immaculate as ever. Witnessing how I almost fell, her brows arch and a mocking smirk curls around her lips. She peers down at me for a long second before her lips part to speak condescendingly.

"Oops, I'm sorry. Didn't see you standing right there."

My eyes narrow, but I say nothing. She doesn't even attempt to pretend that her bumping into me is an accident. I can now officially say that I've made an enemy at school, one who's super popular with a face and body that befits a model. She smells like trouble, one which I hate.

I should have known high school will not have mercy on me.

Letting out a quiet sigh, I bend down to collect my books that are scattered on the steps. When I straighten back up, Carly is still standing in the same spot, watching me with a measuring look in her fiery eyes.

"Riley Perez, isn't it?" She smiles, but it doesn't reach her eyes. "We met at the party and you stole Kyle away from me."

I stare back at her, unflinching at the false accusation. After all, Kyle was the one who led us out of the house.

"I didn't steal him from you."

She shoots me a dubious look. "Sure, you didn't. Here's a warning from me. Stay away from my boyfriend."

I frown immediately. "Boyfriend?"

Kyle is dating a person like her? Doesn't he have a better taste than this?

Carly flips her long, silky hair over her shoulders. "Yes, you heard me right. He's my boyfriend, so please, keep your hands off him."

I speak the first thing that comes to my mind, more of a curiosity than of antagonism. "I didn't know that a boyfriend would push his girlfriend away like that."

She realizes that I'm talking about what happened back at the party. Her face turns red with anger and she crosses her arms, flashing a murderous look at me. "We had a fight. All couples do and now, everything is wonderful between us. You're the new kid on the block, so don't make things difficult for yourself and stay away. You don't know what I'm capable of."

Hugging my books to my chest, I square my shoulders and lift my chin. Her scornful words are irking me and if she thinks I'm going to cower, I'm not.

"Look," I tell her. "I won't waste my time over something like this. I'll mind my business and you mind yours."

Her eyes narrow into slits. "If you go against your words, I will ruin your high school life."

Without giving me a chance to respond, she turns on her heels and stalks off. I watch her as she leaves, shaking my head in disbelief. I head towards my locker, throw my books into it and make my way to the exit where Taylor awaits. When he sees me coming, he breaks into a charming smile.

"Riley!"

I smile back at him, but my heart skips a beat when I notice someone behind him.

A couple of meters away, Kyle stands by his car with a gym bag hanging over his broad shoulder. When Taylor calls my name, he glances in our direction, his gaze meeting mine instantly. A disapproving scowl sets in on his face when he realizes who I'm meeting.

From our last conversation, he has implied that he wants nothing to do with me. However, a part of me still hopes that he will still talk to me. After all, he's someone from my past, a connection to who I used to be. Each time he stares at me with those piercing green eyes, something indecipherable passes between us and the air sizzles thick with electricity. He feels familiar, like no other guys, but leaves my heart confused with a distinct taste of bittersweet.

Kyle stares at me for several seconds before tearing his gaze away from me. He enters his car without a second glance and as I watch him drive away, my heart falls in disappointment. Even as Taylor calls my name for the second time, his brightest smile can't seem to make up for the emptiness in my heart.

I'm told to move on with my life even if my memories don't return, but how can I do that when my mind is full of thoughts about Kyle?