DONATELLO: THE KINGPIN

Chapter 3

Honey's POV

We pulled up in front of SWM Dance Academy. It was Maisie's dance Academy. Although she owned the place, but she also worked as a dance instructor.
This was my second time visiting, and I still wasn't sure why she'd insisted on bringing me along.
I knew she wanted to keep me company, but I felt like I was just a burden to her. I wished I could be more fun, but I couldn't shake the feeling that I was a drag.

"Maisie, I really don't think I should be here. I'll just be a burden to you,'' I said.

"Hey, you've never been a burden to me,'' she said, her voice soft. ''And you think I'd let you sit around and do nothing? Nope. You're here for a reason, and don't even try to say no. You know I won't take no for an answer.'' I felt her smile at me, and I couldn't help but smile back.
She was determined to make me happy, even if it meant dragging me out of my comfort zone. And I had to admit, I was curious about what she had planned. I was eager to find out. Maybe it would be fun after all. I just had to relax. And who knows? Maybe I'd enjoy myself.

''So, what's going on?'' I asked Maisie.

''Well, the job's pretty easy, since you're a pro. I just needed...'' She hesitated, and I waited for her to continue. ''I've been looking for a violist for weeks, and you seem like the perfect fit.''

I frowned. ''No... I can't. I haven't played the violin in years. I'm not sure I can do it anymore.''

''Real queens fix each other's crowns, you know,'' Maisie said.
I'd heard her say that phrase a thousand times before. She was always encouraging me to do better. To be better. But I wasn't sure I could.

She continued. "I know it's something you used to have a passion for, but I won't force you to do anything you don't want to do. It's better to move on.''

I fidgeted with my hands. ''I haven't held a bow in years,'' I said. ''I had my reasons for leaving the music world behind. I can't just dig it all up again. It would be too painful.
I'd stopped seeing the point of pursuing my dreams as a violist after they were gone. Nothing seemed right without them by my side."

But Maisie wasn't letting me off the hook. ''You can't stay in the shadows forever. And you can't lose that spark. I know it's hard, but you have to find your way back to the light. Don't let your dreams die."

Her words stung, but I knew she was right. I had to find a way to move on. To let go of the past. I knew it wouldn't be easy, but I had to try.
Playing the violin again would dredge up old memories, long buried along with my parents. I let out a deep sigh, turning away from Maisie. It would be difficult, but maybe I could give it a try.
Mom and dad wouldn't have wanted me to give up my dreams because of what happened to them. They would have wanted me to keep going, to keep pursuing my passion.

Finally, I nodded. ''I'll do it,'' I said, hoping that I was making the right decision.

Maisie wrapped me in a warm hug, and I couldn't help but smile. "Thank you."

I smiled. "You don't have to thank me. You've done more than enough. Thanks to you, I don't have to hide anymore.''

''Aww, you're making me blush,'' she said, laughing.

Maisie got out of the car and came around to open the door for me.

"Thank you," I said to her.

"You're welcome,'' she said with a smile.

I slid out of the car and linked my arm with hers. She started to drag me into the building, and I stumbled to keep up. ''Hey, slow down. I feel like you're going to parade me around.''

As we both walked through the door. She gave it a dramatic flourish, and I could feel a group of eyes staring at us. I mentally rolled my eyes, knowing she was trying to make a show of it. I could already feel the blush creeping up my cheeks.

''And here we are,''  Maisie said.

"Miss Sparrow, I thought you wouldn't make it today,'' I heard a voice say.

''Well, I just wanted to introduce the new violist to you all,'' Maisie said. I could tell she was more excited than I was. But how could she not be? She wasn't the one who had to deal with all the attention.

"Some of you already know her, but for those who don't, I'd like to introduce my best friend, Honey. Honey, meet Dita, the prima ballerina of the academy. And this is Kaylee, my co-worker.'' I felt Maisie smile, she's obviously enjoying this moment.

I forced a smile and nodded politely. ''I'm happy to make your acquaintance.''

"Welcome to SWM, we'd love to hear you play," the girl I assumed was Dita said. She sounded friendly enough.

"Wouldn't playing the violin be of difficulty, considering she's blind?,'' the other girl said, her tone dripping with disdain. I was pretty sure that was Kaylee, the one who had spoken earlier. She was giving off a very negative aura, and I knew she didn't like me one bit.

"Do you have a problem with that? Is being blind a crime? Huh?'' Maisie snapped at her. She was clearly annoyed. But Kaylee didn't say a word.

'It's okay, Maisie, you don't have to make a scene here,'' I whispered to her.

"No! No one talks to you that way!'' Maisie exclaimed. She was protective of me, and I appreciated that. But this could easily escalate into something worse.

''I don't have to apologize, because I didn't do anything wrong!'' Kaylee retorted.

"Oh, really? Just so you know, you're fired! The door's that way, Kaylee. I'll take it from here,'' Maisie said, pointing to the door. Her tone was firm, and I could tell she meant business.

"Maisie, you don't have to do this,'' I said, putting a hand on her shoulder. I tried to calm her nerves.

"No, I'm the boss here, and she needs to know her place,'' Maisie said, her voice rising in volume. ''What are you still waiting for? Get out of here!''

I could feel Kaylee glaring daggers at me. "Fine! I was gonna quit anyway,'' she said, stomping out of the studio.

I felt bad that Kaylee had gotten fired because of me. I knew she'd said some rude things, but I didn't think her job should be on the line for it.

"Now that we've gotten rid of the foul stench in the air, let's begin, shall we?'' Maisie said.

I felt footsteps trailing off for a moment, and then Maisie returned, offering me a violin, and I took it, feeling the smooth wood against my fingers. It felt amazing. It was almost like coming home, in a way. I had missed playing, and it felt good to have a violin in my hands again.

''You'll need to sit down for this one, because we've got a long way to go,'' Maisie said, leading me to a chair. I put my cane aside and sat down, my heart racing with nervousness.

''All right, everyone. We've got an hour to go, so let's make the most of it,'' Maisie said to the class. "Honey, are you ready?'

"Yes,'' I said, trying to sound more confident than I felt.

"Hey, Honey, you're going to be okay. You can do this," Maisie said. Her words were encouraging, and I felt a bit better. I just needed to play. That's all there was to it.

I positioned the violin on my collarbone, as I had been taught all those years ago, and began to play. It sounded rough at first, but as I kept going, it became easier. I was starting to feel like I remembered how to play.

It was like the violin and I had become one. As I played, my emotions swirled around me like a stream of flowing water. It felt as if I was alive again. I hadn't felt this way in a very long time. My spirit seemed to soar, lifting me up, away from the ground. I could feel the music, and I let it fill me up. It was the most exhilarating feeling. It was like I was in a different world, one where nothing could touch me.