The tap, tap, tap of the metronome. The tempo set for me. I spring into action, attacking the keys with Beethoven's 5th Symphony. I hit the beginning notes with power, yet very graceful. My fingers do all the thinking, since I have done this Symphony many times before. I am a prodigy.

    My piano-playing skills have been recognized all over the world. I'm sure that aliens have heard of me! 

   As I begin to fall into the decrescendo of the Symphony, I think about the day my father decided to teach me piano. How he urged me over and over to do my best. He was never abusive, but he would sternly lead me into the path of following the right notes. It only took about two hours to figure out the keys completely. I knew I wanted to play piano, and I knew that my father did the same thing when he was younger.

   Oh, how overjoyed he looked when I asked him!

    "Father...? Can I learn piano?" His eyes lit up like a dozen fireflies in the sky. He picked me up, held me, and we ran into his music room where about a million instruments lie. He sat me down on the bench of the grand piano, about five times my size. I didn't feel intimidated, though. I was rather too excited to feel intimidated.

   After years of excruciating practice, a few piano changes, being indoors alone, and many Symphonies later, here I am. Sitting on this bench, playing this little number for nostalgic purposes. 

   Few moments pass, and I finish better than I ever did back in grade-school years. I mentally slow my heartbeat, and take in a deep breath. 

   I hear clapping behind me, echoing across the room, due to the acoustics. I gasp from being startled. I turn so abruptly that I knock over my sheet music.

   "Such a klutz, Kate!" I hear a laugh erupt from her. I shake my head and start to pick the papers up, followed by her coming over and helping me. She begins to pile up the papers when she starts to observe it.

   "Fifth Symphony?" she says, seemingly surprised. "But you've already done this one!" I laugh and nod.

   "Played it for memories, Maria." I stand up and take the papers and set them down on the bench. "So where were you, hmm?" I smirk at her, crossing my arms for a faux chastising look. She begins to scratch the back of her neck.

   "I've been around town...looking for...this!" She runs to the other side of the room, retrieving something like a hunting dog. Maria runs back with a pink and glittery gift bag, making me slightly nervous. She puts it into my hands, begging for me to open it.

    I shake my head and slowly unfurl the package. What comes into view is a medium-sized book, staring right at me with its music notes. 

   "It's a music notebook!" she said, smiling at me. "I know how you wanted to make your own symphonies!" My heart fills with happiness at her very words. I begin to feel my love for her grow once more, more than the initial love I fell into the first time I met her. Her smiling eyes push me over the edge.

   "Maria...Thank you...So much..." I jump into her arms and kiss her deeply and passionately. She pats my back and holds me tight. 

   I rest my head on her chest and listen to her heartbeat. And in that moment, I remember how much she means to me. Much more than a silly piano. Much more than Beethoven's 5th Symphony. She is worth much more than being a prodigy.

   "I love you so much, Maria.."

   "I love you too, Kate.." 

    And I wouldn't want it any other way....