Gemotions

"He's gone. He's really gone," she murmured, tracing the cold, metallic surface of the piano. The note from Mr. Stern, her piano teacher, was a mere formality: "Found another position. Goodbye."

Eliza felt a shiver run down her spine. The concert was next month. She had worked so hard, all her life, under his guidance. Now, there was just an empty seat beside her, and a silence that filled the room.

She sat down at the piano, her fingers hovering over the keys. The familiar melody suddenly sounded hollow. She couldn't do this, not without him. She closed her eyes, and a single tear escaped and rolled down her cheek.