"Do you ever miss it? The piano?"

He asked softly, turning to face you. Petals fell gently over the two of you, lying side by side beneath the old tree at the back of the schoolyard, its shade cool and comforting. He had learned the subtle twitch of your jaw, always wanting to avoid that argument. The piano, which you had quit playing for personal reasons. You sighed, closing your eyes, not wanting him to start this conversation again.

"You know, I only started playing the violin seriously because of you. Back in middle school, you played at this local recital. I was just a face in the crowd and when everyone applauded, I just sat there, stunned." At that moment, he couldn't help but smile as he revealed a minor secret. "Before we met I told one lie, just one. That I liked your friend, but I only did so to get closer to you after I found out we attended the same high school."

One lie. It was only one that he revealed, while the other remained hidden. The reason why he constantly nagged you, pushed you, reminded you to just give him a chance to play a duet with you was still unknown, and he would always keep it that way. You didn't need to know that his time was running out.