In Every Bird.

Chapter 2: Family Tree

"Need help?" Graham asks.

"Yes please." I state in a tired tone.

Graham picks his violin up and shows me up.
I thought I was good but this college is proving to me that I'm not as good as I thought I was, my school just sucked.

"How did you do the vibrato on the fourth note, it's so difficult without dropping the whole violin." I say and laugh, even though it's not funny and I truly am frustrated.

"You're putting your strength in the wrong muscle, hold it up. He replies.
So I lift my violin up and hold the fourth note.
"Now feel this." He asks and squeezes my wrist.
I nod.
"Okay use that to hold it up, it'll cancel out the weight you put on the top from the vibrato." He replies. I try and what do you know, it worked.

"Thank you." I laugh in relief.

"You know if you ever want tutoring I offer the cheapest classes around here." He says.

"Really? How much." I ask.

"Only 20 a session." He replies.
Wow.

"I would love to, I've been meaning to get a tutor but I just haven't found one that is reasonably priced." I explain.

"Yes well I'm definitely cheaper than I could be, but I understand you all already pay my bills with your tuition." Graham replies and then gets something out of his wallet.
"Here's my business card." He says and hands it to me.
I take it and read it.
"We can start as soon as Friday after school." He offers.

"Where is it?" I ask, not feeling comfortable going to a random teachers house.

"It's here in this room. We have to have it here rather than a house for safety reasons." He explains and then the bell rings.

"Okay perfect." I say excited.

"Alright." He says and walks back to his desk as everyone packs up and leaves.

It's now Friday.

I knock on the door and Graham sees me through the window.
He smiles and starts to walk over to open it.
Once he does I walk in and set my stuff at my desk in the front.

"How are you?" He asks.

"I'm really good. You?" I reply then ask back.

"I'm great." He says.
"Do you have anything in specific you would like to work on today? The song? A technique?" He asks.

"Um, probably technique. I can usually get songs down but it's the form that messes me up." I explain.

"Okay so what's your biggest issue in your form you feel?" He asks.

An hour goes by and I'm out of class calling Emily.

"Hey what's tonight's theme?" I ask over the phone.

"Tonight is luau night because we're playing Hawaii, and don't worry they'll have the flower necklace things there." Emily answers.

"Why would we dress for Hawaii?" I ask.

"It's to make fun. We're gonna win tonight too trust me." She says.