Miku's POV:

Flashback:

I sat down to the school's piano. No one was there but me. Everyone else was at lunch. I wasn't going to eat today.

Ignoring my groaning stomach, I played a few scales. With every scale my stomach reminded me that I hadn't fed it in days.

Finally I started a little melody. It was a lamenting, regretful tune, but it satisfied me. I was always satisfied by music. It helped me cheer up.

My mother hated music. Ever since father left she won't even let me look at a piano, much less listen to music.

My father was a musician. He loved music and played or sang whenever he could. Mom says that was how she fell in love with him. He was playing the piano at school when she met him. Now she hates him, and me because I look like him, act like him, talk like him, etc. I know mother never means to hurt me, it's only when she gets drunk that she hurts me. When she's sober all she does is yell, but I'm used to the yelling by now. It doesn't hurt me at all.

I'm bullied at school. That's why I avoid the cafeteria now. There's a group of girls that hate me and have tried to hurt me many times in the hall. There was a boy too...he scares me. One of the days that I was going to play the piano when I thought the hall was empty, he grabbed my arm and pinned me to a locker. He smirked at me and started saying strange things. He was pressing into me so hard I couldn't breath. Then he said something that made me jump. I kneed him, and ran away while he was stunned.

The tune became more and more mournful...I could feel my emotion being drained into it. The music always took my pain away. A few times I flinched when I accidentally brushed my wrist against a key. I had cut myself there yesterday and it still hurt. I didn't remember doing it, but I know that's what happened. I had bandages all over my arms and legs. That's why I always wore the long sweater and stockings to school. 

What's the point of even living? I'm a worthless life. There's no one I'm helping, and no one helping me. There's so many times, so many times when I almost stopped living. But I'll keep rolling for now.

I felt satisfied with my song and stood to go. There in the doorway was the music teacher. Her face was slightly pale and her mouth hanging open.

"Oh...Miss...Miss Kasane...I...didn't hear you..." I stammered.

"What is your name dear?" Miss Kasane had asked me.

"M...Miku Hatsune." I replied quietly.

Miss Kasane entered the room and looked over at the piano. "That was beautiful. I don't think you're a member of my music class, would you like to join? I would love to be able to hear more of your music."

"Oh no..." I shook my head quickly. "I can't. I'm...too busy." I lied. What would mother do to me if she learned I was playing the piano here? What would she do to me if I joined the music class!?

"Well I'm at least going to have you sign up for the recital. That was absolutely amazing! What was the piece called?"

"I...I don't know I just made it up I think..."

Miss Kasane's eyes widened. Then she smiled at me. "Miku Hatsune you have an incredible gift.

The next thing I knew, Miss Kasane had somehow signed me up for the recital. My mother didn't know yet, I wasn't going to tell her EVER. I was too scared to. I was even more scared to get up in front of everyone and play...

End Flashback.

That was a month ago. The recital was yesterday. I had managed to actually get up and play. That day my song was more hopeful and longing. Miss Kasane came up to the piano as I curtsied and handed me some flowers.

Afterwards I left them there. I couldn't have mother suspect anything.

 It was so hot during the recital but I couldn't take off my sweater. Otherwise all the bruises and bandaids I gave myself would show. The physical pain was better than the emotional pain. At home I didn't have a piano that I could play on. My mom won't even let me have a phone or computer because she doesn't want me listening to any kind of music at all. The physical pain took my mind off of the things she would say, and what my classmates said or did.

I woke up extra early as usual and left for school. I wasn't hungry, I didn't need to eat today.

My greedy stomach protested so much that I went and bought myself a coffee. I didn't have enough money for anything else.

Mom was drunk again last night, she gave me a black eye. I didn't know how to cover it and I was so upset that I cut my cheek. That made it all worse. Its much harder to hide your face.

So I wrapped my head up like a mummy and wore my hair in a way that covered that half of my head. Not that anyone would care, but if the teachers found out that would be bad.

I walked into the school and down the hall.

"Hey there Hatsune!" Sing-songed a voice.

Oh no.

"I never thought I would see you get up and play the piano. Frankly it was far too good to be you. So what's the song called? I know you must have played it while pretending to press the keys." The girl with black hair smirked. I don't even know her name.

I didn't answer. I couldn't find the words. It's always the same, this always happens. It was a mistake to play at the recital. I knew it was. I should have known it would have only made me happy for a few minutes before everything got worse.

Four other girls were surrounding me. They reminded me of wolves with the hungry look in their eyes.

The girl slapped me. "Lost your tongue there Hatsune? I'm talking to you!"

I had reeled back and was holding my cheek, but then the hair that was covering all my bandages had gotten loose from her slap. The bandages fell off and I stood there looking at the girl through my black eye.

"So that's why you always cover your face." The girl laughed. "I would too if I were that ugly."

I wish I could just stop breathing.