STORY 24: PIANO TEACHER AND I (I)

Chapter 1 AVA'S POV I walked up the stone steps to Tristan Jace's house, my backpack slung over one shoulder with my sheet music stuffed inside. My uncle had raved about him, said he was the best private piano instructor around, strict and all about technique. I needed that push because my playing was decent but nothing special. I wanted to get better, really commit. I rang the doorbell and stood there, shifting my feet, feeling a little knot in my stomach for no good reason. The door swung open, and there he was. Tristan Jace, he looked older than I pictured, probably late thirties, with short dark hair and a face that seemed like it rarely cracked a smile. He had on a plain white shirt tucked into black pants, sleeves rolled up to his elbows, showing off those strong forearms that came from years of pounding keys. His sharp blue eyes looked me over, no friendliness in it, just sizing me up. "You must be Ava," he said, his voice deep and flat, like he was stating something obvious, no