He was never one to hide his disdain for her in the past. When had their relationship shifted to this level of intimacy?
The first time I met Mia Blake was during one of my coach’s classes.
She had been only twenty years old at the time, a quiet girl sitting alone in the corner of the classroom, practicing the violin diligently.
I had stood at the door, pointing her out to my coach with a casual question. "Sir, class ended ages ago. Why hasn’t that girl left yet?"
My coach glanced over, shaking his head. "That’s just how she is. Every time, she stays behind to practice a little longer and asks me for extra guidance."
"If you don’t have natural talent, you have to work harder."
I listened to the girl playing the violin and she played Scarborough Fair with a few wrong notes here and there.
"Her technique needs work, but her emotional depth is impressive. That’s crucial for a performer."
My coach gave me a dismissive look, clearly unimpressed by my assessment.
I smiled knowingly, aware of what he was thinking.
After all, by the time I was twenty, I had already been selected to play in the first violin section of the city orchestra.
Even my coach’s violin class was adorned with my posters.