Write off the Fear

Chapter 4

The weekend was nice. On Saturday Liza and her managed to get her pieces scanned and they also created an 'authenticity certificate' to go with the work she would sell. They were also thinking of other ideas, but decided to see how she'd do at the market the next weekend before creating anything more. Sunday, they all went to the flea market like their mother suggested and they spent half a day just walking up and down the street and the adjacent one, where the farmer's market was located. It was all pretty exciting, Liza saw a few other artists that sold various mediums of art, Tiny was very interested in all the antique clothes booths they passed by and they all enjoyed the various street performers scattered around.

At one point, Liza asked Mim if she'd want to perform there one day, which Mim shot down rather quickly. Because Mim did not sing in public. No. She did not. She couldn't. She wouldn't. She was terrified. Singing for your family is one thing, but singing to a bunch of strangers or a room full of people, who can openly judge you, is a big no from Mim. So she didn't sing in public, ever.

Monday rolls around a little too quickly for Mim, but she's there, drenched in sweat, running in circles for physical education. There's a five minute break and Mim all but drops to the ground and sprawls out like a starfish, welcoming the sensation of the cool gym floor on her hot and sticky skin. She hears, more than sees, someone lying down next to her but she just cannot find the strength within her to check who it is.

"You have a really pretty voice." The mystery person suddenly says and Mim can't help but think they have a really pretty voice too. Then she's turning her head over to look at who it is and she scrambles into a sitting position, a deep blush climbing up her neck and onto her cheeks.

"Uh, um, th-thanks." She stutters out, looking anywhere but at Katelyn.

Katelyn slowly gets up to her feet and Mim looks up at her, "You're welcome and I hope I get to hear you sing again some time." Katelyn says with a kind smile before she, mercifully, walks away.

Mim can still feel the heat on her cheeks as she and Liza walk out of the gym later and towards the library for their free period. If Liza notices the blush on her cheeks, she thankfully doesn't mention it. Well, not until they find a couple of seats in the back corner of the library, away from listening ears.

Once they're seated and have their homework out, Mim knows it's only a matter of seconds before...

"Okay, what is up with you? You've been quiet and blushing since we left the gym." Liza asks curiously.

She's about to deny everything but stops when she sees the challenging look her twin is giving her.

"Katelyn told me that I have a nice voice and she hopes to hear me sing again." Mim says as quietly and as quickly as possible, not looking up at Liza but focusing on the words in the book in front of her instead.

"WHAT!?" Liza whisper yells at her, slightly leaning over the table they share. Mim doesn't answer her, so she leans back into her chair and observes Mim with a look that she can't quite figure out.

They don't say anything more about it and instead sit in silence the rest of the period. They're walking back into the hallway when Liza speaks up again.

"You know, we're going to have to participate in the Senior Showcase next year." Liza starts saying. "And I mean, I'm hoping that you, Tiny and I would do something together." she adds as they continue to walk, "We all know that out of the three of us, you're the strongest singer." They stop at Mim's locker. "We have a year to prepare..."

Mim stops shuffling things around her locker to look over at her sister, "Is this your way of asking me to sing with you in the showcase next year?" she asks with a huff. Liza nods her head. "You know I can't sing in front of people." Mim says as she refocuses on grabbing things out of her locker.