The Music Within

left her roo

ing, but she always answered the same way-I'm fine. They didn't push. Th

ain she couldn't scrub away. Every time she closed her e

gr

all she

oo big. Regret for believing, even for a

nightstand, the sound cu

gnore

ssed. Then

anot

for the phone without e

a, pick up

blinking at

d. If you don't answer, I'

t sparked in her chest, bu

ed and t

n't feel l

nse came

bad. Open y

at the messa

tap, tap sounded

She stood up, push

etermination and impatience. Her dark curls were tied up in a messy

t stop the small smile

the window and

l are you doi

d. "Being a

head. "You cl

"Your room looks like a crime scene.

. "Nice to s

of this mopey, self-pity thing you've got going on. You've been hiding

ust got rejected from the one thing I've b

And it sucks. It really, really sucks.

way, her thro

," she muttered. "My best songs, my hea

it hurts. But Maya, do you really think th

idn't

were kids. You live and breathe it. One stupid aca

. "Easy for

w what you're doing. You're letting this one mo

jaw c

d her hand.

but finally

ght now," Shine said gently. "But you

rying to keep her

make people feel things. You make music that matters. And if one sc

shaky breath. "

ery open mic night, every talent show, every damn opportunity unti

chest

suffocating weight on her shou

but Shine didn't rush her. Sh

. "You're really ann

d. "I prefer

head, a relucta

ed. "There'

zzing with doubt. The words You'll make it another way echoed in her mind

eside her, bumping th

"when I failed my first ballet audition, I spent two days convinci

ad slightly. "You

in the trash, gave me the 'never quit' speech, and dragged me to class

, the way she carried herself like she belonged in every room sh

urmured. "This isn't just some

one thing. One opportunity out of a thousand you're goin

owed. "But

ng that what if I fail nonsense. Instead, let's flip

deadpan look. "Y

g bigger than that school? What if they would've boxed you in, stifled you, made you play

It was a nice thought, but

wasn't

t heard a single rejection and gave up?" Shine nudged her. "Hell no. You

s over her face. "I want to be

ulled them away from her face

reminding yourself why you fell in love with music in the first place. Forget that school.

his moment, but Shine's words cracked through the thi

ine urged. "Fo

t answer r

e shifted toward th

her c

ured her

n, the same way they had the night before. Onl

she let her

reached down, opening the door of her closet and bringing it out. She hesit

ier than sh

s just that it

cradling it in her lap. Her f

ould play right now. But when she strummed a single cho

her chest c

ng back on her elbo

augh, shaking her head

kno

pa

t I also know you. An

he weight of everything stil

ince the rejection, she

right. Maybe thi

Maya felt something close to hope. It