temporary

1

Shutting my eyes tightly for a few moments, I snapped them open and forced myself to focus on the notes sprawled across the page in front of me. I couldn't concentrate which was rare for me. Clearly I wasn't the only one to think it was unknown because Mrs. Jennings spoke, "Serenity, you're off key. Are you singing or talking?" I heard Samantha Tyler try and stifle a laugh.

Sighing, "I'm sorry. I think I need some water." My eyes gazed into Mrs. Jennings, pleading for me to get out of this room for a few minutes. Her face softened as she let out a sigh similar to the one I previously released.

"We need to practice, Serenity. The show is just around —" Samantha began but was interrupted by Mrs. Jennings hand. As musicians, a flick of a hand could make us shut up. It's in our blood to follow two hands that dance in the air to keep a tempo.

"Five minutes."

I sent her a weak smile and stood from the black chair to leave the music room. I didn't know why my voice was off recently. I thought maybe it was because the charity fundraiser we're singing at would be full of all of our parents, along with the entire school, meaning there would be millionaires and billionaires watching me sing. Sometimes I forgot I fit into their category. I didn't not want to have a lot of money, I was so thankful for my mother, but I just didn't want to go to a preppy school full of white, rich boys and girls.

"Serenity!" I turned to face Grayson and Liam Moore. A rush of calmness spread over me as I stared at my lifelong best friends. "What's wrong?" Liam pushed.

Liam and Grayson were brothers – 1 year apart. They didn't look too much alike, minus the wavy brown hair that draped just above their eyes. Liam Moore, along with his brother Dylan had dark brown eyes whereas Grayson stood out with his bright green ones. Grayson was also slightly more tanned than the rest of his brothers, and probably the biggest. Although Dylan was two years older than Grayson and I, he was still smaller than him.

I was probably closer to Liam even though he was a year younger, but the three of us were always a trio.
The Moore's were my second family practically. Dylan, Liam, and Grayson were all my brothers, and their father, Christian, was the dad I never had. Although my mom had money, Christian was probably the wealthiest in Raven City. He owned a ton of buildings, and was basically a business man. He bought me my first car which I insisted not to take.

"My voice is off." I muttered, meeting them halfway. "And Samantha Tyler is –"

"What about me?" The three of us turned to face the high-pitched voice. Her curly brown hair fell past her shoulders and her brown eyes pierced into mine before they lightened as she looked to my left. "Hi, Gray."

Grayson scoffed and tilted his head slightly up, signalling he said "Hi," back.

"I was saying how you were being a bit of a..." I trailed off.

"Bitch." Liam finished, laughing. Grayson didn't laugh but I saw him smile. His smile grew as Samantha practically stomped, pivoted and turned to go back to the music room.

I groaned, "Li, she's gonna tell Mrs. Jennings." No sympathy flashed across Liam's face, instead, he shrugged. Ugh.

I looked to Grayson, "Please tell me you're not back together with her. She's like the worst flutist in the band too." As Grayson was the quarter back of Raven Prep's football team, it was known for him to date Samantha Tyler, the head cheerleader. Basic... I know.

Grayson smiled again and shook his head. He was really quiet but we were fine with that. Practically every girl in the school thought he was mysterious which they adored obviously.

"No clue why you would date that frizz ball." I shook my head, giggling as I looked at my plaid skirt, my hand fiddling with the pin on the right side of it.