Fireworks

34

I watch from behind my curtain as he approaches the men and whispers something in their ears. The men look at each other, confused but resigned, and shrug. They move aside without another word to let my friends in.

Isa glances back at the boys with a triumphant grin, and struts into the room looking like she owns it. Hoffman and Gabe trade a slightly self-satisfied-looking grin as they walk into the room. Gabe waggles his fingers at the staff member as he passes, and Arlo pops him in the back of the head. Arlo is looking around the room, but I'm not sure for what. Maybe a table to sit at.

The assistant returns and says, "They're in."

I smile and say, "I saw, thank you for helping me."

He nods and goes back to guarding the steps to the podium like his life depends on it.

A few more minutes pass and I boredly stare at the wall I'm facing. I probably should have grabbed my stuff from the practice room I left it in, but I can always go back and get it, I guess. There's not a whole lot I can do about it now, anyways.

"Miss, they're ready for you." Assistant dude gestures for me to walk up the stage, though he's listening to something on his earpiece rather intently.

Yes, he's taking his job much too seriously.

I take a deep breath. Playing in front of people was one thing, speaking was a whole different can of worms. I could do this, though. Playing is much more nerve-racking.

I step up onto the small podium thing and walk to the stand where I have a small index card of notes, people to thank, small personal anecdotes, final thanks, and farewell. Simple enough.

As soon as I step into sight, the people standing around or sitting at the front few tables notice, and immediately start to applaud. This catches everyone's attention, of course, and there's more polite applause.

I awkwardly smile, and for some reason, I wave, but not at anyone in particular. Gosh, I'm so awkward.

Once people I'm kind of trying to say something and not just standing up here to be clapped for, it quiets down.

I smile and look into the crowd. Most people are holding champagne flutes or a drink of some kind, standing in small groups. I spot Arlo, Isa, Hoffman, and Gabe at a table near the back with a basket of breadsticks. Gabe has one hanging out of his mouth.

I try not to smile any wider, and clear my throat. "First of all, I'd like to say thank you to each and every one of you for coming to support me this afternoon. This audition means a lot to me, and the past five months preparing this repertoire have been... grueling."

There's polite laughter at my remark, and once it dies down I speak again. "This concert is incredibly significant to me whether I'm granted the scholarship I'm trying for or not." There's a meaningful pause that I let run through the room. "Today marks the first day I've ever driven myself to a performance."

The laughter is a bit louder this time. People are smiling as they listen, and it makes me at least feel a little less awkward. At least my trashy jokes are landing.

"In all seriousness, though, this afternoon was a big deal to me. Working on this music alongside my state audition rep, orchestra music, and ensemble pieces has been a sincere challenge these past months. Of course, as a young musician, getting a taste of the professional world only makes these events more exhilarating for me. Every time I perform, there's an increasing level of familiarity, but in turn, an increasing level of pressure. The coping has gotten better, I admit. I can remember the first time I debuted as a solo pianist vividly, despite it being years ago. My nervousness was so overwhelming that I dry heaved for a good seven minutes before going on stage to play hot cross buns in front of twenty bored parents and my lessons teacher."