Schroeder was now a junior in high school and still cut himself off of all things that didn’t relate to Beethoven. Lucy was still determined as ever to steal Schroeder’s heart, but it didn’t matter; Schroeder would never like anyone like that.

One morning at school, some students were whispering about a new student. People were talking because their town was so small, and they hadn’t received a new student since the pretty, red haired girl that was now Charlie Brown’s girlfriend.

Schroeder just shrugged the news off, not caring about other people.

He sat down in class, bored out of his mind and the teacher hadn’t even started talking yet. Schroeder just wanted to play his piano.

After a little while, their teacher announced that the new student would be joining their class. Interests piqued, most students watched the door closely as it started to creak open.

In walked in a small, auburn-haired boy with emerald eyes. The boy had freckles scattered all over his cheeks and two dimples on either of his cheeks.

The boy stood at the front of the classroom, silent as he gazed around. The teacher sighed and tapped him on the shoulder, making him jump a bit.

“Oh, I’m sorry. My name is Emery.” Emery introduced himself, both his smile and voice were so soft and sweet, “and I am deaf..”

At Emery’s last words, Schroeder felt his eyes blow wide. Deaf? How was the boy able to listen to music? How would he ever know the perfect wonders Beethoven?