Symphony || Byler

Chapter 1

Mrs. Karen quickly brought her hands together to start clapping with a bright smile for the long haired boy. "That was lovely, Mike!"

I couldn't help but gawk at him. She was completely right. He was amazing. Probably the best one in the band overall. I could feel my face start to heat up as I stared at him for what felt like forever.

Mike slowly turned his face over to look at me staring before raising an eyebrow. I couldn't help but jump. I was caught staring...

"Don't even think about it, newbie. Clarinet is way beyond your current level."

I felt my eyes widen as a surge of anger rose through me. "Excuse me, WHAT?! W-well I wouldn't want to play some stupid... funky looking reed...Dumb looking thing anyway! So jokes on you..."

Mike's eyebrow raised even higher before his mouth turned into a fine line. "What did you just say...?" he started to stand up and walk towards me. "I'll have you know..." He started to poke at my chest lightly between each word. "TONE DEAF people aren't able to appreciate the nuances of this crucial instrument, anyways."

He's so...

RUDE!!!!

I felt my face heat up from anger before plopping into my seat and continuing to listen to the others play.

It's been two days since then...and I still haven't found an instrument to play after all that time to think it over. I definitely can't choose the clarinet now that Mike went all gung ho about that I wasn't prepared for it.

Maybe I should just quit...

I slowly slouched onto the back corner of the classroom. I couldn't help but feel discouraged. I was nowhere near the level of skill of anyone else in the class. Especially Mike.

A voice rose from the doorway ahead of me as footsteps got closer to me "Don't be discouraged, dear..." She slowly started to kneel down next to me. "We all have to start somewhere. Even Mike had to." Her smile slowly started to appear on her face. "And besides! You still haven't even tried what I call, The King of Band!"

I couldn't help but feel intrigued "the king..?" I had never been the king of anything...well maybe of Castle Byers but that was just a place for me and Jonathan.

Mrs. K slowly brought down a black case from the top shelf and brought it to my level. "It's called a trumpet...but you probably know that." She opened the case to show a gold plated instrument.

The kid from earlier yelled out from the corner in dismay. "Please keep him on the Flute!!!! My ears won't last, Mrs. K! I'll die by the end of the week from loss of blood in my eardrums!"

I avoided his rude comment as I slowly picked up the beauty. It was so nice... The way it feels to hold it... so shiny and majestic... Is this LOVE? Is this the one for me?

I slowly brought it up to my lips with a big smile before puffing out my cheeks and blowing onto the reed. Nothing came out besides a small toot noise. I guess I shouldn't have been surprised.

A small huff came from up ahead of me to show that Mike had been listening to the whole conversation between us two. I couldn't help but feel embarrassed. I couldn't even play the king of band right...

Mrs K waved off the students as the bell rang. It was the end of the day and we all were out of here. "I'll see you little munchkins next week! And.. JAZZ CLUB! Don't forget we're having a meeting tomorrow after school!"

The group sighed before nodding and headed out the door. God I wish I could be in jazz club. That would be so amazing to play with such great musicians...minus Mike. I slowly started to pack up my new instrument before heading over to Mrs K.

She was talking with Mike... I know I shouldn't eavesdrop but I couldn't help myself. "Look... I know we're sort of desperate for more members or whatever...but him?" Mike slowly tried to point his thumb at me discreetly.

Mrs. Karen sighed before starting to pack up the music sheets on her music stand. "Okay... and what's so wrong with him?"

Mike sighed before gripping onto his backpack tighter and shaking his head. "Well...for starters, I've never seen anyone struggle so much with an instrument. He's god awful."

I felt my heart drop. Was I that bad compared to everyone else at their starting points? Should I even-

Shit. They're looking at me. They know I'm listening. I hurry and turn my face away from the two and act like I'm busy with my trumpet as I continue to eavesdrop even after almost getting caught.

"Oho? So were you some hot-shot when you first started then, Mike?" Mrs. Karen's voice dripping with sarcasm. I wasn't looking over but I could tell that she was smiling at him with a shit eating grin. I could get behind that.

"OF COURSE NOT!" Mike blurted out in a yell. "That's not what I'm saying... It's just that, I've seen people like him. They'll join thinking this is a fun class, then find out it's not as easy as they think... and then they quit. He lacks potential. I can't have you get your feelings hurt again by someone dropping out."

"Some people just take more time than o-"

"So we're supposed to wait and hold his hand through everything and just hope he catches up as he gets further and further behind the rest of us? How is that fair?!"

He had a point. I wasn't exactly the cream of the crop. I was just there...but I was willing to work hard to get to where everyone else was.

"Please... tell me. What's the point of having band if NO ONE plays well? Honestly as it is right now, this band program... is pretty mediocre."

I felt my eyes widen and I couldn't help but stare at the two. How could he get away with being so harsh? This is school! Any other class he would have been brought to the principals office immediately! Was Mrs. Karen that much of a pushover when it came to Mike?

She sighed before crossing her arms and laughing. "God...looks like we'll need to fix that, right?" She slowly leaned in to talk closer to him. "Here's an idea, then! Find a replacement for Will! Just know that, for me, it really doesn't matter how good they are! First and foremost we need numbers, or we're kaputt! And I think you kids deserve to have this. Mediocre or not."

Mike's face fell before he started to walk away from her. "Fine." He quickly grabbed his Clarinet case off of the floor. "I'll get recruits."

Mrs. K put on a bright smile before waving goodbye to Mike "Alrighty then! Don't fuss too much about it!"

As Mike walked through the door, I couldn't help but think to myself the worst thing that I could.

    Replacement?