Once in A Millennium Stanford Pines X Reader

Applause

TW: Mugging, Knife

2 Weeks Later...

Your hands shook as you practiced your conducting back stage.

It wasn't every day a sophomore music education major would be asked to conduct the symphony band. There was no denying your talents however, at the rate you were progressing, you were set to graduate at the end of next year. It was extremely exciting for you, and the adrenaline calmed your nerves. A booming voice brought your thoughts back to reality,

"The Backupsmore Symphonic band will be led by student conductor Y/N. Y/N is a music education major, they are a member of Tau Beta Sigma. They are also the principal oboist in our top band, Backupsmore Symphony Band. Please welcome them to the stage."

You strode confidently across the stage. The band sat in quiet anticipation. This concert was one you had spent the few months preparing for. The hours you spent rehearsing the band, pouring over the score, and practicing your technique, had all been worth it in this moment. You lifted your hands, and the symphony began.

The four pieces you chose were extremely challenging, but you directed them with ease, you demanded attention on the podium. In your grasp, you weaved the brightness of the brass, to the darkness of the reeds. This was what you loved, what you were passionate about. The band played its final chord, resolving the piece perfectly.

There's nothing quite like the silence right after a successful performance. In that moment before applause, you could feel the audience holding their breath, wondering if there was more. Just as soon as the silence began, it was shattered by an uproar of applause. You smiled, gestured to the band, and took your bow. Even though it wasn't Berkeley, you couldn't be prouder of the concert you had.

As you entered the auditorium lobby, all the attention turned to you. Professors, people from the community, familiar faces were coming up, showering you with praise for your performance. It was overwhelming, all the people around you seemed to gravitate towards you.
"You did a lovely job Y/N"
"You're going to do amazing things one day"
"That concert was the best I've seen in years!"

You had to make your escape. You smiled at the people around you,
"Thank you guys so much, but I really must get back to my-"

"Who could've thought a Berkeley reject could actually manage to pull off an average sub par concert? Honestly Coda, I'm impressed."

You whipped around, trying to see who spoke. Whoever it was, they had seemingly disappeared into the crowd. Your ears began to ring.

Who knew average cut so deep?

There was one thing you knew for certain, no matter how well you did here, it would never be your dream school. It would never be Berkeley.
Your eyes shot toward the quickest way out and made your escape. You braced yourself for the cold as you stepped outside.

The concert hall wasn't on campus, so you were in for quite a walk.

The night sky was dark and clouded, little peaks of the moon barely illuminated it. Familiar  buildings guided your path back to the dorms you called home. It wasn't the safest area, but you weren't about to wait for an Uber.

"Help, somebody help!" cries filled with terror pierced your ears. You quickly ran over to where you heard the noise. It was a dark alley between two buildings littered with miscellaneous pieces of trash. You were shocked to see nobody there. It was almost like you made the call up entirely in your head, still, if someone was in danger, you had to help,

"Hello?" You heard nothing but your own voice. You turned around, leaving well enough alone when you felt a sudden tug at your hair, causing you to lose your balance. Before you could catch a breath, a set of hands wrapped around your neck, dragging you to the cold, frosty ground.