The Difference

Chapter 6

         Dakota Walliams – Monte Carlo – Sunshine College

“Let’s take it from the top.” I said to the students. We were practicing for the Inter Schools Winter Talent Show. Even though it is months away, we want to practice to perfection.

What kept both the class and I moving was the fact that Corbin was making music a world you wanted to live in, making everyone happy and more invested into it. He brought a game of sing offs where two people would compete against each other singing different songs on one song’s beat. This was to see who knew the most songs and could keep the highest range of vocal cords. Everyone loved and wanted to be friends with him. He hadn’t been in the school for long but was already popular. 

The second thing that also made him the talk of the school for days is how he transformed Shirley from the dull person she was to the lively person she is now. Now you’d always see them together. There’s even rumors that that they’re are dating but Shirley has assured me that they are nothing more than friends. I believe her. I see them as best friends.

“Miss Walliams,” Corbin called out to me. “I may have a few suggestions for the song”.

“Please show us.” I said to him.

He sat behind the keyboard and started playing and singing. His voice was so clear it felt like you could see through it. When he got to the chorus he changed the cords and added some twists to it. It was amazing. When he was done, the whole class was so quiet that you could hear a pin drop.

“ That was beautiful, Corbin. I’ll make sure to add it”. Turning to the class I said, “ Now, class, before the end of the lesson, I’ll like you to write the name of the person who’d be singing with Corbin as lead singer on the talent show. Write the name of the person on a sheet of paper and drop it in the box that will go around.”

“Wait. Who voted for me as the lead singer?” Corbin asked surprised.

“I did.”

“I’ve never sang on stage. I have stage frights.” He said with a shaky voice.

“Don’t worry. I’ll coach you”. Then turning to the rest of the class, I said, “ If you’re done writing the names I’m going to pass the box around and you drop them in. Guys, who do you want to read out the name?”

“CORBIN”, They literally shouted.

“Okay, Corbin c’mon up please”. He came up and poured the sheets out of the box and proceeded to count them according to names.

“Well, it seems the person I’ll be singing with is you, Miss Walliams.” He sounded surprised.

“Huh?!” I also asked, surprised.

“Miss Walliams, we believe that your voices will sound perfect together so we’d love for the two of you to do it”, Ashley, the harpist said.

“But we haven’t even sang together to see how well our voices would blend.”

“We know that, Miss Walliams. But we’ve heard you sing and you have an amazing voice which will blend perfectly well with Corbin’s. We know you’d bring the trophy to our school. Just have practices together.” Chloe,the violinist added.

“Alright guys I’ve heard you. We’ll….”. The bell interrupted for the end of class.

“Well, see you guys tomorrow. Corbin, can you please wait behind” I said in the midst of the packing of instruments.

“Corbin,” I said once we were alone. “We not only have to work on your stage fright now but also have to rehearse together. I’ll like to schedule Wednesdays and Fridays after school in the school’s auditorium if that’s okay with you”. I suggested.

“That’s okay but not with this Wednesday. I’ve promised to take Shirley to the movies for her birthday but Friday will be perfect”.

“Sure. By the way thanks for what you’re doing for Shirley. I’ve never seen her this happy and lively before”.

“Oh I'm just doing my best for her. My aim is to help her get over her societal anxiety and make friends and, hopefully, a boyfriend but it’s a gradual process”. He said.

“Well I hope you can achieve that”. I said to him.

“I hope so too. Well see you tomorrow then”. He said.

“See you tomorrow”.