Breakeven (Lanedon and LilyAnn)

[Hero]

It was a cold, brisk day sitting on my usual street corner in the Capitol. I hadn't been to the Districts in a while and actually wanted to go there again for once. Anywhere but here. But I endured it for the lone kids still at that dreaded orphanage.

I sat down against the corner of that same, tall building everyday now for a few weeks. And the same people walked by me. Not asking if I was cold. Some would throw money in a hat I had laid out but very few actually paid attention to me, banging away on my keyboard. I found a song after a while. Breakeven.

"I'm still alive but I'm barely breathing. Just praying to a God that I don't believe in. While I got time while she got freedom, when a heart breaks no it don't breakeven." I sang into the verse whenevr I heard someone come up from behind and start humming with me. Weird. Something like that never happened. Not to me...

[Cham]

Lily was pissed. It wasnt often she got angry. She knew it never helped anything, and only made situations worse. But she was mad. She had gotten home and found her father standing above her nanny, pointing towards the doorm her bags packed, and tears running down her cheeks. She didnt know what she had done, but she rushed forward and begged her father to allow her to stay. But he wouldnt change his mind. She decided to sneak out her window, and meet her nanny in the street. She knew she had a boyfriend, and would probably go to stay with him. Lily might as well walk her there seeing as the likely hood she would ever see the woman she had come to regard as a mother ever again, were very slim. She had walked her home, and exchanged a few heartfelt words and tears.

She had began walking home again, and had wiped the tears from her eyes, her cheeks slightly puffy. She heard a male voice singing one of her favourite songs. Almost unconsciously she began humming along. Then the first few lyrics passed her lips "While Im wide awake, shes no trouble sleeping..." She rounded the corner, and saw a boy near her age playing the accompaniment on a keyboard and singing simultaneously. He looked freezing, and she pulled out her wallet from her jacket pocket. Her cheeks were pink with the chill, and little puffs of clouds came from her mouth as she pulled out all of her cash, a substantial amount, and gave him a small smile "you are very talented" She said softly as she set the bills into the hat that was set before him. "Do you take requests?" She asked softly. "do you know Nothing by the Script?" she inquired "Its a favourite of mine"

Lily realized how much she had spoken in such a short span of time, and she blushed, the rose spreading further across her face, her ears tinged in red now, and she shuffled her feet, looking down to her sneakers, and bit her lip, waiting for a responce. She glanced up. He really was attractive...

[Hero]

I continued singing into the verse. "Her best days will be some of my worst. She finally met a man who's gonna put her first." I paused for a moment when I thought I heard someine whisper the lyrics back to me. That's when I caught a glimpse of who actually knew what in the world I was singing. "You are very talented." She took out her wallet and put all the money she had in it. That was about the same amount it took me 3 days to earn. "Do you take requests? Do you know Nothing by the Script?"

I reached down and took the money she droped in my hat out. I took her hand and put the money back in it. "I usually don't take requests but I might for someone like you. And I don't know itbut there is a time for learning something new,right?" I closed her hand and went back to my piano. "Don't worry. I don't need the money."

I wanted to be able to sing for her. I should accept the money. But I had done this all my life and I didn't need charity. I wasn't some charity case where you could give me all the money in the world. It wouldn't matter. I would always come back to this street corner, playing all the same songs. I sat back down at my piano. I started to let my fingers slide over the keys, starting to play If I Die Young. I started singing softly, even with her still standing there watching me. "If I die young. Lay me down on bed of roses."

[Cham]

Lily was slightly shocked as he took her hand and placed the bills back into her palm, closing her fingers around them. Her eyebrows were raised in surprise. But he began playing the mournful tune, and she harmonized with him. Her sweet, clear voice was like water. His fingers glided effortlessly over the keyboard and several people stopped and stared. But she continued, her voice weaving its way through the tune until the last words faded into silence.

Several people had gathered around the pair, and were applauding. Lily gave an awkward bow/ curtsy and stepped back, holding her hands out in display for the boy who's name She didn't even know. 2or 3 people stepped forward and dropped several dollars into his hat, and once again Lily stooped down to drop her own contribution into his hat. "You really do have a lot of natural talent" she said once again. "I don't know how your not the best of the best. You deserve your own spotlight" She tucked her long blonde locks behind her ear and blushed slightly...

[Hero]

I saw a look of surprise as I gave her money back to her. When I started playin again, she began to harmonize with me until the last note faded out. I didn't see this until the very end but a small crowd had gathered around us as we were singing. As they applauded, she gave an awkward curtsy and blushed a bright shade of pink. I riased my arms, urging the crowd to applaud her. A few people dropped a fair amount bills into the hat.

"You really do have a lot of natural talent. I don't see how you aren't the best of the best. You really do deserve your own spotlight." Another person who thoight I could make them look better. Make their family look better. I looked up to her and spoke softly. "I'm fine just here on my little street corner." I watched as se dropped her contribution back into the hat. I didn't bother to speak but if she heard me, then she did. "Really. You can keep it. It's yours. I don't need it." Really. Keep it.

[Cham]

Lily shook her head softly, turning her hand upside down in his, forcing the bills to drop in his hand. "You should be making money hand over fist" She said softly "I don't need it either. I live comfortably enough" a sad look crossed her face. comfortably yes. Happily? Well... Not even close. She sighed and shoved her hands into her pockets. "Well, good luck I guess" She said softly "I hope to be seeing you on the big screens. You really do deserve it" She looked down. She didn't really want to leave, but she also didn't want to annoy the poor boy. He probably had enough people trying to mooch talent off with him. She glanced up once more at him, and he heart skipped a beat as her eyes connected with his. But she knew better. It was just a figment of her imagination more than likely. So she whispered "Sorry to hold you up... Bye" And turned on her heel.

[Hero]

She kept blabbering on about how she didn't need the money either. I could tell. The way she walked, the way she talked, the way she dressed. She was one of the lucky ones. She hoped to see me again, but on the big screens this time. Like she would remember me. Before se turned to leave, our eyes locked for that one second. I knew she wasn't like the rest of the Capitol teenagers. Maybe she actually cared. Maybe. I left my keyboard on the ground and grabbed the hat, holding it by the rim. I went after her, tapping her on the shoulder to get her attention "I don't get your name. I-I'm Lanedon. But most people just call me Lane or Lewis. And you are?"

[Cham]

LilyLily felt a tap on her shoulder, and allowed herself for one brief second before turning around to wish as hard as she could that it was the boy. She scrunched up her eyes and wished, then turned, her long blond hair swinging lightly in an arc. And somehow, for some crazy reason he had followed her those few steps. She noted after a second how close he was. There were several people in the street, but he was a half a step closer than he really needed to be. She could feel a pulse, a charge in the air between them. She exhaled softly, and a puff of white clouds emitted from her mouth. "Lane..." She said softly, then a small smile crept across her lips as she tasted his name. She held out her hand to shake his "I like it. I'm LilyAnn. I guess if I really talked to people they would call me Lily, but I don't mind... Just... Whatever..." She said softly, her voice fading with each word. She felt so nervous... In the chill, her palms were sweating, and she felt her cheeks flushing. She tested a glancing to his face to see his expression.

[Hero]

I watched her take a second before turning to face me. She spoke my name before extendeing her hand to mine and shaking it. I knew I was a half step closer to her than I should've been but I wanted to know if she didn't think I was just a dirty street rat. Like Alaadin. And she was my Jasmine. She spoke my name softly, seeming to enjoy the sound of it on her lips. And I can say the same. I love the way my own name sounded coming from her lips. The way it formed on her lips. She spoke her own in the same way. "Lily," she said simply. "Lily," I repeated back to her. "Beautiful name for a beautiful girl like you."

[Cham]

Lily hung her head a short ways. Her eyes shut, and she shook her head. She said softly "I'm not beautiful." And she definitely didn't feel it. What was she compared to the people around her. With their bright colours and intricate tattoos. She had always been teased at school for not joining in when she was younger, but as time went on the words turned harsh, and cruel. High school had literally been a living hell and she was one of the lucky ones to escape with actually having learned something. No she wasn't pretty or beautiful, or even attractive. She was plain and boring. But her nanny had always told her "Darling natural beauty is what you have. They don't, so the cover it up with their silly ways." A single tear rose to her eyes as she thought of her nanny. She could ignore the relentless hoard of bashing with the help of her nanny. But now She was gone, and Lily felt about the poorest girl in the world. Her shoulders drooped, but she squeezed her eyes shut for a moment with her head hung, and wiped away the tear. "I'm so sorry" She whispered softly...

[Hero]

"I'm not beautiful," she muttered back to me. "I'm sorry." She hung her head, obviously thinking back to a time when she was hurt over not being a legit part of the Capitol. No colorful hair or tattoos. But I liked the fact that she was different. "Listen, you are beautiful. You don't need the silly makeup, hair and clothes to hide behind. Here, listen." I held out my hand to her, asking her to come with me.

I went back to my piano and started playing Bruno Mars. "When I see your face, there's not a thing that I would change. Cause girl you're amazing. Just the way you are." I looked up to her. "Does that tell you differently?" I continued to let my fingers slide over the keys as if I knew this song by heart but I barely knew it. But I hoped she wouldn't care. I hoped she would join in.

[Cham]

Lily felt Lane grasp her hand softly, but she hesitated for a moment before following. His fingers were cold. That seemed to be the only thing she noticed. He led her to his keyboard and began singing a song she knew very well. A small smile turned up the corners of her rosy lips, but she allowed him to sing the whole first verse before she added her own, tender and soft at first. But gaining more confidence as he smiled, and she realized he wanted her to sing.

He played the tune much more simply than before, without the counter melody, but their combined voices made up for it, harmonizing as though they had practiced a thousand times. She couldn't help but allow the smile to creep across her face as they finished the song, and locked gazes once again. She shuffled her feet awkwardly as the seconds passed, and was the first one to break the eye contact. "Music is the language of the heart" She said so softly...

[Hero]

I watched as a smile made its way across her rosy lips. We locked gazes, looking as if we had seen each other before. Before I was given a chance to unerstand it, she shuffled her feet and broke the silence. "Music language of the heart." She aid it so softly, I barely even heard her. I thought over it for a moment and said probably the worst thing back to her. In my mind, it was pretty bad. "Music says the words that we could never say." I grabbed my piano and hat and started walking away. What was I doing? I had probably met the most beautiful and smart girl who was actually normal to me. She didn't need to be dressed in ill-fitting clothes or bright makeup. I stopped and turned around, hoping she would still be tanding there. "Lily, thanks."

[Cham]

"Music says the words we could never say"

Lily' s heart fell as he said this and turned from her. She could hear every step as he walked away through the bustle of people around her. But he stopped after a few feet. He hesitated, then turned his lips open slightly, then the words came " Lily" her heart skipped and she gasped lightly as he said her name. But the words she craved to hear didn't come. Instead a simple "thanks" that tore at her.

Before she realized she was speaking the words were out of her mouth "Please don't leave me alone..." The look on her face was one of longing and desperation. She left like she had made a friend in Lane. He was unique. He saw the world in a different light, and very literally marched to the beat of his own drum...

[Hero]

I kept walking away, leaving her there, regardless of any sense of good judgemnet I had. I couldn't get attched to someone. I had made a best friend a few years ago at the orphanage and he had killed hmself. I had gotten attached and look where that ended up.. I barely heard her speak but the words she said tore through me. "Please don't leave me alone.." The expression on her face said everything that she couldn't say to me out loud. She wanted me to stay. She wanted to be my friend, maybe even more than that. Who knew. And I could definitely tell that the simple thanks that I gave herweren't the words she wanted to hear. Especially if they came from me, someone who wasn't a part of the Capitol stereotype.

I turned back around and said "Then come with me."

[Cham]

He stopped a second time, and turned once again. "Then come with me"

Lily didnt need to be told a second time. She was done with her parents. They had taken everything from her. She stepped forward until this time she was the one too close "Thank you" Was all she could seem to say. She looked down, embarassed. She didnt even know if he wanted to be with her. But why would he have sudgessted she come in the first place if he didnt? He could have just pretended he didnt hear her, and kept on walking. For some reason he stopped. And she wanted to know why...

(Sorry it sucks im running short on muse >.<)

[Hero]

She my said a quick thanks towards me. She walked beside me and fell quickly into step with me. I could've just left her there. I could've just let her go back to her parents. But I didn't. I didn't even know why but I would have to think of something if she asked. I held out my hand for her to take. What was I doing? I barely knew her and I was just showing her something that I never let anyone else see. I led her a few steps until we reached the orphanage. "Listen, Lily, this is something I've never showed to anyone. You might like me now but after this, I won't blame to if you want nothing to do with me." I opened the huge wooden, double doors. Revealing a good sized parlor holding my black, baby grand piano. "Here we are," I whispered.

((Its cool. As long as I have something to work with. No problem.))

[Cham]

Lane held out his hand to Lily and with a blush, and a smile, she intertwined her fingers with his. She had never really talked to guys before... Never held ones hand, or even been as close as she had been to Lane in the last 20 minutes they have known each other! But he spoke, and put her at ease. Just his voice was calm and soothing, which was crazy! "Listen Lily, this is something I've never shown to anyone. You might like me now, but after this, I won't blame you if you want nothing to do with me"

Lily was confused. She squinted her eyebrows. "I doubt there is anything that would make me leave, unless it was you telling me to..." They took several more steps, and he pulled his hand from hers. She looked up and saw the sign for one of the Capitol Orphanages. Her eyes went wide in sympathy. He was an orphan... He was all alone in the world... But not for long. Unless he made a hint not wanting her around, she intended on sticking with him. After all, she had no one anymore either...

She stepped into the parlor where a gorgeous piano Sat. The ebony shone as though it was polished thrice daily. "It's breathtaking..." She stepped back, and gripped his wrist. Then with her small fingers, tenderly slipped her hand back into his. "You know being an orphan doesn't change anything?l She asked softly "In fact it makes me admire you all the more... You are so clever with your fingers, weaving those tunes without any sheet music." She paused for a moment and looked up at him, her eyes wide, and bordered with sympathetic tears as she imagined the harsh rumours of the orphanages. How children were beaten and alone. She couldn't bear the thought of even this stranger being so alone in the world.

She knew what it was like and wouldn't wish it on anyone. Surprising herself, she took her hand from his, and wrapped both her arms around Lanes waist, burying her tearful eyes into his shirt...

[Hero]

"You know being an orphan doesn't change anything?l "In fact it makes me admire you all the more... You are so clever with your fingers, weaving those tunes without any sheet music." She spok e softly, that voice of hers like velvet. What she did next was the thing I hadn't imagined her doing. Again, ask anyone. I was like, more like am, a dirty street rat.

She gripped my wrist at first, her warm hand feeling comfortable in my own. She slid her hand back into mine. She wrapped her arms around my waist, tears brimming her eyes in sympathy for the fact that she thought I am an orphan. I was one. I wasn't allowed to be here abymore but forget what those people thought. I didn't care about them anymore. She began crying into me, sympathy wracking every sob. I wrapped my arms around her, making her face the parlor. "Don't cry beautiful. WHy are you so sad?"

(SOrry it was short. I was rushed.)

[Cham]

Lily cried for more reason than one. She grieved for her parents. It had only at that moment come into view that with her tagging along, she had disowned herself. The only thing she had to her name now was the clothes on her back... But then there were the other children. Like Lane, who were alone not by choice, but by circumstance. Those who's parents abandoned them. Or couldn't support them. She whispered into his shirt "Because I can picture you as a little boy. Sad and Scared. And I want to turn back time and pick you up. Cuddle you in my lap and tell you that everything is going to be alright. That everything will get better..." She nuzzled His chest for a moment, collecting herself.

It was at that moment that she really felt his arms around her. They were strong and protective. They said "I care" She pulled her head from his chest and started to pull away, but changed her mind, and turned her head. She listened for his heart beat. The life sustaining sound that concerned he was alive...

[Hero]

Whenever she spoke, I only heard the muffled wishes of how she wished I wa little again. That she could put me in her lap and tell me everything was going to be alright. But I knew that if it went back to that time, then I was screwed. I never wanted to back to then. I just wants to stay here with her, someone who might actually understand. "Lily, if I went back to when I was little. I wouldn't be here with you. And that's what I wanted. For someone to understand."

I felt her pull her head away then lay it back on my chest, searching for my faint heartbeat. I moved a little bit so her head was right over my heart. I leaned down and whispered in her ear. "Hear that? That's how excited I am now that I have you Lily." I didn't want to but I pulled away from her. Taking her hand in mine, intertwining our fingers. "Let me show you something." I led her to the piano, and sat down on the bench with enough room for the both of us. I started playing a rando melody, struggled to recognize it myself but humming it as Titanium. I leaned y head towards her and sang into her ear. "I'm bulletproof. Nothing to lose. Fire away, fire away. You shoot me down but I won't fall. I am Titanium. You shoot me down. But I won't fall. I am titanium." I smiled over at her. "Beautiful?"

[Cham]

Lily smiled as Lane shifted his body. She traced little circles on his back with her fingers, but buried her head in his chest again as he told her he was excited to be with her. "No one has ever wanted to be near me before" she said softly "They just don't care usually..." She sighed as he pulled away, and she dried her eyes with the back of her hand. "Sorry..."

But he either didn't hear her apology, or ignored it. But took her hand and brought her to the piano, and played a song. One of her favourites actually. They seemed to have very simpler tastes. She smiled when he leaned over and whisper sang in her ear. His breath tickled, but was warm and comforting. She began the lamenting song as well, laying her cheek on his. But as the song wound down, she pulled her cheek from his, and laid her forehead against his.

"Beautiful?" he asked. And she smiles, bleeding softly, her nose puzzling softly against his. "Absolutky wonderful..." She whispered.

[Hero]

She took her cheek from mine and pressed her forehead against mine. "Absolutely amazing," she replied. "And that beautiful is what you are to me how about this one?" I started playing the piano part for "Little Things". I didn't start singing at first, waiting for her to join but I too the opportunity to show her myself. "Your hand fits in mone like its made his for me, but near this in mind it was meant to be." I continued to play softer, whispering the lyrics into her ear until the last words were spoken. When I finished, I face her on the bench, I took her hand in mine. "Lily, thank you. For not letting this change who you thought I was." There was one thing that I wanted to tell her but I couldn't. Those 3 little words that have the power to make or break someone. I love you.

[Cham]

' He thinks I'm beautiful... Why... How...' her mind spun thinking of it. She pictured herself in her head and just saw a very plain girl. She had no pizzazz. There was nothing special about her. But he made her smile, and she leaned towards him and kissed his cheek.

Lane began playing ' Little Things' and she recognized it immediately. So she began singing the first lyrics, well knowing that it was her voice and the piano she was hearing. Then Lanes voice began dancing with hers, and she couldn't help but smile. But as the last few notes passed, Lane turned and thanked her. She was baffled that he thought his lack of parentage would change her ever growing feelings for him. Lily turned her body, facing him and crossing her legs. Her fingers squeezed his hand with conviction as she place her second hand on his neck, pulling his forehead to hers and she whispered " Thank YOU for not seeing me as everyone else sees me" She looked directly into his eyes, trying to identify what he wasn't telling her. The end of his sentence was quiet as though he had much more to say. Not necessarily in words, but in importance. "What is it?" She pled. "What am I missing"

[Hero]

She thanked me for not seeing her the way other people do. I just smile, took her and told her the dorkier thing I could. "Well, how do people see you? Beautiful, talented and well.. Perfect." She looked into my eyes, a puzzling look on her face. "What am I missing," she inquired. I stood, giving her room to scoot off and come with me. "It's just... I've never met someone who was so much like me.. Someone like you. And I just really.. Like you Lily." I walked a few steps before turning. "And I bet I sous like a total dork, creep or both. You can go if you want. And thanks for all of that Lily. Really." I stood there for a few more seconds, waiting for her reaction.. Terrified that I have might let the best person I ever met, get away.