Loved by You by Kate Perry Page B

let herself in.
    Her sister sat at the piano, rocking as she sang. Her hair was the perfect kind of messy Bijou spent an hour to achieve. Her eyes were closed, and she belted out the words from her soul.
    It’d have been so easy to be jealous of her sister. KT didn’t realize it, but she was gorgeous and so talented it made Bijou’s teeth ache. As close as they were in age, they’d never had any sort of rivalry, probably due to their parents, who’d always encouraged them to be themselves and had never compared them to each other. But she knew a lot had to do with KT and her unwavering loyalty and love.
    The piano screeched to a halt. KT whirled around to glare at her. “What are you doing here?”
    So much for the love, Bijou thought with a wry grin. “I’m listening to you play. Before you explode in righteous indignation, tell me who the composer was.”
    “Why?”
    “Because I’ve never heard it before, and it was amazing.”
    Her sister’s eyes narrowed suspiciously. “Are you just saying that?”
    She shook her head. “Why would I? When haven’t I said if I thought something sucked?”
    KT shrugged, looking indecisive. Then she muttered something.
    “What?” Bijou cupped her ear and leaned forward.
    “I wrote it, okay?” Her sister crossed her arms defiantly, glaring at her.
    “ You? ” Bijou blinked. “Are you serious?”
    KT’s face stormed over. “Are you saying I don’t have what it takes?”
    “Of course not, but I’ve never heard you compose classical music before.” Bijou took her sister’s hand. “KT, that was the most amazing music I’ve ever heard.”
    “Are you just saying that to be nice?”
    “When have I ever been nice?”
    “Well, that’s true.”
    She pushed KT’s shoulder. Then she took her arms, shook her, and yelled, “That was the most amazing music ever ! Karma Taylor, where did that come from ?”
    KT looked away, abashed but hopeful. “Really? You thought it was that good?”
    “Don’t you?”
    Her sister suddenly grinned. “I think it’s damn great.”
    Everything suddenly clicked. “This is why you haven’t been worried about losing the gig with Jamila. You’ve been composing something different and all your own. Wait till Mom and Dad hear. They’re going to flip.”
    “They aren’t going to hear.” KT grabbed her arms and looked her in the eyes. “You’re not going to tell anyone about my concerto, Bijou. Swear it.”
    “You can’t hide that.” She pointed at the piano. “ That won’t be stifled.”
    “It’s not ready yet.” KT began to pace. “There’s still a section I’m not happy with, and I haven’t had much time to work on it. And you know Mom’s just going to pressure me about it, and who can create under that sort of pressure. Really, it’s—”
    “KT.” She put a hand on her sister’s arm to stop her. “Breathe.”
    She exhaled raggedly. “I’m just not ready.”
    Bijou nodded, understanding that her sister felt that way, but at the same time wanting to call bullshit. KT was never ready. “Music that powerful can’t be stifled. Isn’t hiding something that beautiful a crime?”
    Her sister shook her head. “It’s just a concerto.”
    “It’s not just anything.” She held her sister’s face in her hands. “I got goosebumps listening to it, and you know how jaded I am. That’s the sort of music that changes lives.”
    KT shook free stubbornly. “You’re being dramatic.”
    “I’m being serious. This can’t be tucked away in a drawer, forgotten. You need to do something with it.”
    “That’s the thing.” KT frowned. “I haven’t decided what.”
    “Do you have ideas?”
    Her sister shot her a flat look. “It’s not doing live performances, if that’s where you’re going with this. I’m considering other options.”
    Bijou wanted to ask what options, but she knew better than to push. “I hope you find the option that’s right for you,” she said, kissing KT’s cheek, “because it’s