Lena and Luigi arrived at their school in a car at an early hour. They got off and made it through the car park. At the main entrance of the school, they were given flyers. It was their schedule for the day. That day was a collapsed day. Basically the students every semester had these special days where they had special workshops and activities that were relevant to their academic subjects but were more fun mostly and were teaching them useful skills or informed them of some interesting new topics. Lena and Luigi had those kind of days at their old school which they found quite fun. The format seemed pretty much the same as this school's way of doing it. The students attended different sessions throughout the day and were not necessarily with their own age group. Different grades mixed together. The kids basically chose sessions that interested them and attended them. Some sessions could have dozens attending them and some sessions could have two or three.

Luigi said "Collapsed day means no football practice for today.... I am gonna be bored this morning. But it is fine. I will find some interesting session before school to attend I hope. They have a list of sessions to choose from. So much variety. Not disappointed at all...."

Lena said "I look forward to today... Some of them sound interesting."

The siblings looked at the leaflet and discussed what workshops and sessions they liked to try out. They then walked in silence towards their destinations. They then at some point split up as their destinations were not near each other. The activities they had in mind were taking place in different areas of the school.

As Lena was walking to the building she was trying to reach, she stopped as she heard music. The sound of the music was so beautiful. It was the sound of a violin. She looked around trying to find the source of the sound. She spotted the music building. She walked towards the building and the sound became stronger so the source was there. The sound was so beautiful. She got closer and closer. She entered the building and followed the sound. She then found the room that she was sure the sound was coming from. She opened the door. She froze. She saw Gianluca standing alone at the window and playing the violin. She looked at him with a mixture of awe and surprise. The sound felt so unreal. It was the kind of sound that a professional violinist could make.

Lena had no idea he could play the violin. She had never seen any kind of musical instruments or music notes at the House of Bellagio. But why if he could play so well he had never given any hints of being able to play music at their home? He was so good. It did not add up that he did not own a violin at home. He was playing with so much skill. So he only played violin in school?

Lena decided not to make him aware of her presence. She sat down on a chair and watched Gianluca silently enjoying the beautiful tune. She sat there in silence. She loved the music so much she closed her eyes and absorbed the beautiful sound.

Minutes went past and then suddenly the sound of music stopped. She heard his voice "Lena..."

Lena opened her eyes and looked at Gianluca. She said as she was playing with her skirt with her hands "Sorry... If I did not notify you of my presence. I just did not want to stop you from playing. You play so well. It was so beautiful... I enjoyed hearing it..." The words came naturally to her. It helped that she was seated. It made her less nervous around him even under his deep stare. She had nothing but words of admiration and wanted for Gianluca to hear those compliments before she left that room. She also had so many questions to ask but she did not know where to start.

Gianluca said "I am glad you enjoyed it..." He then put away the violin.

Lena said "Aren't you going to play another song?"

Gianluca said "Another song? Why would I play another song?"

Lena said "Well... If I played a musical instrument as good as you I would have been playing it very often. You are a master at playing the violin. Where did you learn to play the violin so well? I did not know you took music lessons of any kind. Did you learn to play in school so well? But such level of playing the violin needs hours of practice every week. How have you learnt to play the violin if you have been just learning it at school? Don't you need practice at home too to become so skilled? How come you do not own anything to do with music at your home let alone a violin?" She was so curious to find out. So many questions flew out. She had known the Bellagios for years but she never knew he played the violin so well.

Gianluca said as he leaned to the wall and put his hands in his pockets "That is alot of questions Lena... I do not own any violin at home or anything related to playing music... I do not practice at home... And I did not learn to play the violin at school...

Lena asked curiously "Then where did you learn how to play music?"

Gianluca said "At Christian's house. Christian loves playing the violin and he pulled me in. But I think he is much better at it than I am..."

Lena gasped "He is even better than you?"

Gianluca said "Yes. He has been playing the violin since a few years after he learnt how to walk. I don't know exactly when he did start playing but I know it was pretty early in his life. When I became friends with him, he taught me how to play the violin. Sometimes we have our little violin battles..."

Lena asked "Violin battles? What is that?"

Gianluca said "That is what we call it... We just pick a piece of music and play it together and compete on who can play it better. He normally comes on top..."

Lena said thoughtfully as she was trying to slowly taking in the answers to her questions and putting them together "So you only learnt to play the violin at Christina's house and .... you play no where else? Not at your house? Not at the school?"

Gianluca said "That is correct."

Lean asked "You are not taking music as a subject in school?"

Gianluca said "I am not..."

Lena said "But you could get an A grade in Music for sure if you did... So then... you must at least be part of the school orchestra here. Right?"

Gianluca said "No, I am not part of the school's orchestra... I have never been interested in joining it even though I could..."

Lena asked "How is that possible? You have learnt to play so beautifully and you do not play anywhere except for when you do it as a hobby..."

Gianluca finished her sentence "Yes... When I go to Christian's house sometimes I do play there."

It made no sense to Lena. She felt like something was missing here. She asked "Gianluca... Then... why were you playing today?..."

Gianluca said "Well.. It is a long story... Gabriela asked me to come here. She knows I play the violin and is aware that I know alot about this music instrument. She has never heard me play but knows I have some expertise because I have told her I play with Christian. She told me that the head of the music department needed someone urgently to check out these new violins they have brought in for today for the workshops. But no one is available for some reason to tune them before the sessions start and check if they work ok. I said yes because my sister asked me to do it. Gabriela knows the daughter of the head of music here. So she wanted to help this department out... I came early and tuned the violins. I just decided to play a song with one of the violins because it is made by a brand I had never used before. I just wanted to try it and see if it was worth recommending it to Christian. He likes his violin collection. He just does ...." Gianluca then smiled. A warm smile that made her blush. He took her breath away with his beautiful smile. He looked down and then looked up at her and said "I did not think I was going to have an audience when I started playing."

Lena said "I heard the music by accident and came this way to check who was playing. I did not mean to disturb you..."

Gianluca said "You did not disturb me... You surprised me. That is all..."

Lena did not know what to think. How much more did she not know about Gianluca? She had no idea. She asked shyly "Gianluca... You are so talented... I wish you considered playing in front of other people besides Christian... The regional school concert challenge is coming up. Maybe you can help them by being their violinist."

Gianluca shrugged "I am not interested. Music is just a hobby... Nothing else Lena..."

Lena could see Gianluca was adamant he was not going to ever play anywhere unless it was at Christian's house,... So she wanted to take the chance to see if she could hear him play one more time. Lena asked "Gianluca ... Will you play another song?"

Gianluca asked "You want me to play another song?"

Lena said "Please..."

Gianluca said "Alright... What song do you want me to play?"

Lena said "What song can you play?"

Gianluca said "Any song you name..."

Lena said "You can seriously play anything?"

Gianluca said "I know alot of notes ... The chances are, whatever song you name I can play or I can improvise..."

Lena named a song.

Gianluca said "I have not played this song before. I have heard it though.... I can try. Improvising it is..." He then started playing.

Lena put her hand on her heart as she was listening to the song. She was feeling a mixture of admiration and disbelief. This was a song that he had never practiced yet it sounded so perfect, so amazing. Was Gianluca a music genius?"

When Gianluca finished playing this time she started clapping for him "That was amazing..." Lena was then about to ask him if he could play another song. It was worth a try. She would have loved to hear him play again and again. But then Gianluca spoke "Do you want to go grab something to eat maybe? I think I want to eat something before going to the first session of the day"

Lena wanted to ask him to play but of course they had school sessions to attend. She did not mind spending more time with him that morning. She felt more at ease and less intense. Moving school had helped her get closer to him. And this music session had made her realise how much she did not know Gianluca. What other things she did not know about him? So she said "Ok. That sounds good..."

Gianluca put away the violin and then started walking towards Lena.

Lena then stood up and straightened her top... The Phoenix necklace suddenly was revealed to Gianluca as she straightened her top causing it to move the necklace's position. It took Gianluca seconds to register what he was seeing. He stopped walking and froze. She was wearing that necklace but it had been hidden under her top till that moment. She had finally worn his necklace. His heart was jumping out of his chest. How much joy it was giving him to see that his girl was using the gift he had given her years go, could not be described in words. His Lena was wearing his necklace. His phoenix necklace.

Gianluca whispered "You are wearing the necklace I gifted you..."

Lena did not realise how much happiness she had caused in Gianluca's heart. She smiled "I have actually always liked this necklace. I just was afraid of losing it if I worn it... I just decided I am old enough that losing jewellery is least likely..."

Gianluca asked "Really? I did not know you liked this gift..." He had thought she never liked it and that was why she had not worn it before.

Lena said "I love it..."

Gianluca smiled. He gave her a smile that melted her heart.

****

Luigi was sitting in the lecture that talked a range of technical information about designing cars. He was taking notes and listening to the speaker talk about the latest research, the current challenges and the future of cars industry. After the lecture finished he went up to the speaker and asked a few questions. The speaker saw how keen Luigi was in asking questions and how well he had listened to the lecture obviously by the sounds of it. He asked very good questions. He had to apologise for having to now leave to go to run other sessions in another school but he gave his business card to Luigi and said to contact him any time if he had more questions or needed him to send to his address any catalogues about technical information or anything.

Luigi put the business card in his pocket and sat down and made a few other notes based on the answers the speaker had given him just then. He had shared alot of information just then too. He then stretched and stood up. He left the lecture room. He was the last person out. He made his way outside the building. He looked at his watch and then checked the timings on the leaflet of the collapsed day. There was a short break between this session and the next one that he was going to attend next. So he sat down on the steps of the building deciding to take his break there before his next session.

Luigi was now drinking from his drink bottle and was looking through his notes. He made a list of questions that he wanted to ask the speaker later. He had every intention to contact that expert in field of cars. Luigi finished his drink, put away the bottle and stood up to leave. Just then he heard Eden's voice. Her unhappy voice from a distance. "Damn it" She said. He looked around. She was looking at the the sign on the building as she was saying "How could I miss this lecture? Why did they change the schedule?"

He stood up and walked to Eden who was now shaking her head and approaching one of the stewards of the collapsed day. He could hear them and was close but Eden or the steward's attention was not on him.

"I am sorry. You missed the session." The steward said.

Eden said "What? How could I miss it. It starts now. That's what the leaflet says."

The steward explained "They changed the timings in the last minute. The speaker had to go run other sessions at other schools. He is a very busy industry expert. There are plenty other sessions to choose from today. You can attend one of those..."

Eden said "I wanted to attend this session. ...

The Steward walked away. "Sorry about this."

Eden sighed "That speaker is a genius..."

Luigi reached Eden.

Eden then whispered to herself "And I just missed him..."

Luigi said "Missed me? I am right here..."

Eden looked up and just noticed Luigi "Missed you? No. I did not miss you... I missed an opportunity...A great one... I came for the lecture on cars. They changed the schedule in the last minute."

Luigi said "Don't worry. It's ok."

Eden sighed "You know... We have to write up an essay project about exactly what they talked about in this lecture very soon. I came to get some information. Now we need to think of another way to get some information."

Luigi said "You could ask a student who attended the lecture to fill you in about what they heard. You could also contact the speaker directly..."

Eden said "Those are very impossible options. The other students won't share notes with us. They are not allowed. Because this is a paired project. We can't ask any other students for help or we could get zero. The rules regarding this particular project were made clear... We will score marks for our independent research as well as our writing. As for contacting the speaker, I do not know what is the method of contacting him. He must get so many letters a week. By the time we can get an appointment it will be around this time next year."

Luigi said " I was referring to myself when I said you should ask a student who attended the lecture to share notes with you.. I was there Eden. We are project partners so my notes are yours... I went up to the speaker at the end and asked a few questions. He also gave me his business card of his office... not company contact details where most queries go to."

Eden gasped and was blinking as she was looking at Luigi in shock "Really? You attended the lecture? You took notes and you obtained his business card?... That is not possible..."

Luigi nodded "Yes. It is possible." He then offered her his notebook "I wrote down everything."

She took the notebook from his hand looking at him still with surprise.

He reached into his pocket and took out a business card and showed it to Eden. "Here you go..."

Eden took the business card and looked at it with disbelief. She then opened the notebook and had a look though. She was shaking her head and said "I can't believe it... This is amazing..."

Luigi said "Jocks have priorities too you know..."

Eden looked up and said "Thank you Luigi... You just got closer to that date."

Luigi said "How close?"

Eden said "Closer than before. I can't go out with you yet... But I ... will go to the home coming dance with you as your dance partner..."

Luigi thought he had heard wrong.

Everyone had to attend the homecoming dance. It was compulsory. They had to pick someone to go with. No one could attend alone. A boy and a girl had to pair up. People who opted to attend had to go with their dates. However if someone was single they could attend with another single person. They were then called dance partners and the colour of their dress or suit was slightly different than how the couples dressed. But that was the only thing that distinguished them. Eden accompanying him as a dance partner meant he could still attend all the fun activities and dances with her.

Luigi said "You will?"

Eden said "Yes. I was going to attend with my brother but I guess you have earned it to be my dance partner and my companion in the homecoming dance. Ethan won't be happy. He has to find a dance partner now or ask a girl out on a date."

Luigi said "So tell me... What was the key to your heart this time. Last time it was a pen that got you closer to our date... Now tell me.... What what opened up your heart to agree to become my dance partner? What opened your heart in getting me closer to that date with you that will make you my girl?"

Eden leaned closer and said "Well... You did find a couple of keys this time....The first key was your hard work... If a man works hard... he is reliable... The second key is team work... You proved to me you are a partner worth relying on..."

Luigi said "I always work hard Eden and I do look out for my team. I play football... A team sport. So jocks can be good at team work...... You just don't know me that well to know that about me... If you become my girl... you will know..." He then smirked as he noticed she was looking at him with narrowed eyes now.

Eden shook her head looking annoyed "Oh. I forget you have such big ego..."

He said "You regret complimenting me... Do you?"

Eden said "No actually. These are not really compliments. I state facts here...Only facts based on the evidence in front of me...."

He chuckled. She hated admitting she was complementing him. He asked "So...Did I find any other key..."

Eden nodded and sighed. "Yes... One more key..."

Luigi asked "What key?"

Eden replied "Cars..."

Luigi said "What do you like about cars? What type of car is your favourite to own one day?"