Chloe's Destiny

Chloe pushed a strand of her curly red hair behind her ear. Sighing, she sat down at the baby grand piano. Her fingers moved slowly over the ever familiar keys. Closing her eyes, she began to play. Music was her escape, a way for her to leave the reality of the real world behind. She felt so alive when she let her mind drift and go into the safety of her sanctuary. 1

Her fingers made love to the keys as she played one of her favorite pieces from Mozart. The beautiful music filled the air, drifting out the open window and catching the attention of passers by. Chloe had learned how to play the piano at a young age. She had grown up in a house filled with people, yet she had always been so very alone. 2

Her mother was a prominent lawyer and her father a well known doctor. She also had two sisters and one brother. Her siblings and she had never gotten along. The three had followed in their parents footsteps, Chloe had not. She had always known that she was different, even when she was a child. While her playmates joked around when the little boys, she had caught herself watching the little girls much more. At the tender age of nine, Chloe realized without a doubt she was different. She developed her first major crush on a neighborhood girl whom happened to be her sister’s best friend.3

Chloe tried to hide her attraction to girls by losing herself in her music. She began to write songs at the age of ten. Most of her pieces were composed while sitting alone at night by the piano. At times like those, she was thankful in a way that she was so alone. She managed to hide her sexuality from her parents until she was sixteen. At that point, her sister realized her secret. The first thing her sister done was run and tell their parents whom promptly disowned Chloe. Chloe’s entire family turned against her when they learned she was attracted to women.4

After being kicked out on to the streets, Chloe had made the journey to New York. She had gotten a waitressing job at a local restaurant and had taken classes to get her GED. Times were hard for awhile, but Chloe was determined to make it in the city. She had to make it for she had no one who cared and no home to return to. Her apartment wasn’t much but it was a place to sleep. She had a tiny space with a small cot where she slept and a simple bathroom just around the corner. There was no TV, only a little radio that stayed directly beside her bed. Music was all that kept her going on some days. 5

By the time she was eighteen, Chloe was working three jobs just to be able to afford to live. She had gotten another job at a place that sold musical instruments, which was her favorite. The owner always let her play the baby grand piano in the show room on her breaks. He was more than happy to oblige since he said it drew in customers. Chloe was extremely talented and skilled. She could play nearly any piece on the piano. Some customers would even come in and make requests for songs, which she would happily play. Chloe’s only happiness came from the short amounts of time she was able to spend at the piano.6

Until one day, fate stepped in and changed Chloe’s life forever when a mysterious woman visited the shop. The woman was elegant and sophisticated. The moment she walked in she seemed to have an aurora that surrounded her. Her hair hung well down her back in straight strands of charcoal black. Her eyes were a bright green, piercing through Chloe as she removed her sunglasses and watched her play. Chloe had never felt nervous when she played, until that moment. The way the woman watched her made every hair on her body stand at attention. She smiled up at the woman when she requested an obscure piece of music. Chloe knew the piece by heart, as it was one of her most favorites. She moved her hands over the keys with passion filled finger tips, her eyes meeting with the mysterious woman’s as she played the music. 7

When she had finished playing, she placed her hands by her side and looked up at the woman. Chloe nervously shifted on the wooden bench as the woman continued to stare. Finally, the woman spoke. “You were wonderful.” 8

“Thank you,” a blush passed over Chloe’s cheeks as she glanced at her. “I’ve always loved to play.”9

“So have I. I started playing the piano when I was eleven, although, I am not nearly as skilled with it as you are.” Smiling, she continued to speak as she reached her hand out. “Where are my manners, Abigail Woods.” 10

“Chloe Lancaster,” smiling, she shook the woman’s hand. Chloe glanced down, noticing she had no wedding ring on and grinned even more when she noticed the rainbow bracelet on her arm. “I like your bracelet.”11

“Thanks, I picked it up when I was in LA last week.” Abigail’s face lit up as her eyes scanned over Chloe. A twinkle sparkled in her steel blue eyes when she saw the rainbow pendant around Chloe’s slender neck. “I like your necklace too.” Grinning, she reached her hand out and lifted the pendent with her index finger. “Say, are you free for dinner tonight. I’ve been thinking of… taking some lessons in piano. You know, maybe it would help me get better.” She winked, rubbing her finger over the glittering necklace.12

“Dinner,” Chloe’s eyes grew wide. “I… I… You mean like a… like a…” She stammered, unsure of what to say.13

“Like a date? Yes, I mean like a date.” Abigail let go off the pendent as it fell back against Chloe’s skin. “And you should wear something a little revealing.” Her fingers moved up Chloe’s neck as she let her eyes linger over her olive toned complexion. “You have the most beautiful skin and you shouldn’t try to hide it under all of those clothes.”14

Chloe looked down at her attire. She was dressed from head to toe in a long sleeved black shirt and dark black jeans. “I think I might have something that would do the trick.” She smiled, glancing up to meet Abigail’s eyes.15

“Wonderful, shall I pick you up at your place?” With a flirtatious grin she leaned forward. “Although, that does mean you will have to give me your address.”16

“I do believe that can be arranged.” Chloe reached over, getting a pen and paper from the table near the piano. She scribbled her address and phone number on to it and then handed the paper to Abigail. “When should I be ready?”17

“Let’s say eight o’clock. Sound good to you?” Grinning, she took her finger and twirled a strand of Chloe’s curls. “I am so glad that I heard you playing, but I am even more thrilled that you said yes to that date.” She winked, letting go of the strand of hair. Abigail turned, as if she was about to leave and then stopped. “I’ll see you eight beautiful.” She walked on towards the door and disappeared into the crowd on the busy sidewalk.18

Chloe took in a deep breath, smiling as she sat in stunned silence at the piano. She had no idea what had just happened but she had the feeling that this was the start of something incredible…