In the End ~ Wednesday x Xavier ~ SLOW-BURN

Chapter 23

Wednesday paced backstage, nervously fiddling with her sleeves. It was the day of her cello competition, and she hadn't realized she would be on stage. In front of a ton of people. It wasn't like she had stage fright but now she would be passionately enveloped in her music. She was nervous that someone would do something that would mess her up, get her out of focus and mess with her head. She didn't like performing in front of people for that reason because then she would be vulnerable. She needed to be perfect. She peeked back out again, spotting Enid and Ajax. She didn't see Xavier and wondered if he was going to make it. She was last, as they had decided to do it in alphabetical order by the first name. Weird, but convenient. Maybe people would be leaving by that time and she wouldn't have to face so many people.

"Wednesday."

She turned quickly to see Xavier, who was watching her as she paced. She went over to him quickly and grabbed his hand.

"What are you doing back here?" 

He turned her to face him and began fixing the sleeves she had messed up. 

"I came back here to tell you that you will win," he said, buttoning her sleeve.

He looked at her, and she suddenly felt as if she could do anything in the world.

She smiled softly, squeezing his hand slightly.

"I will try."

He squeezed her hand back.

"You will do so much more than try."

He kissed her forehead and began walking away, giving her hand one last squeeze before he let go.

She looked back out again, spotting him walking to sit with the other two. She then saw her parents and Pugsley, to which she let out a groan. But then she smiled a little, thinking about how they were here for her. She then frowned, seeing her mother and father already starting up with their affections. She gagged before backing away from the curtain, and the lights slowly began to dim. Too many emotions.

As she watched each cellist perform, she saw how only a few of them looked entertained by the piece they played. They almost looked bored and their sound proved so. 

Then it was her turn, and she walked with a confidence she had never felt before. She almost felt empowered, but she maintained her stoic expression.

She sat down, her bow in hand, and positioned herself behind the cello.  

As she began to play, she felt herself get sucked into the notes that flew from the musical instrument. Her mind was no longer on the people, no longer focused on messing up. She was picturing the people she held closest to her, and she felt herself smile. The notes shrilled through the room and the audience seemed to be entranced with the story she was telling. They could feel the emotion, the heartache that seemed to be revealed as the girl played on. 

Enid began to cry, both proud of her best friend, and because the song was way better than the last time she heard it.

Xavier watched her, completely lost in what her heart seemed to scream from the cello. She picked this song because it resonated deep within her. He was stunned that so much emotion could be conveyed from a few notes on a sheet of paper, but it seemed to sum up the entire human being.

She finished and slowly looked up. The audience was on their feet, whooping and cheering for her. She spotted her friends, who seemed to be cheering the loudest. She smiled, and her parents were in awe of their daughter. She grabbed her cello and carried it off stage, offering a small wave to the judges as she passed.