The Ash Tree

School concert

Ash was scratching her initials into her desk during music. Their teacher was talking about the history of the ukulele, and she really could not care less. Her partner, Samantha, was watching her do this and then poked her in the shoulder. Ash looked around to find the source, which got the entire class laughing before their teacher yelled at them to quiet down or else they would miss break. She glared at Samantha, who mouthed "Wanna play moughts and crosses?". Ash nodded, and she got out a piece of paper to write on.

15 minutes later, they had finally run out of paper, and Ash wasn't going to get some more as their teacher would definitely not let them. She stared into space for a minute or two before something that the teacher said snapped her back into reality.

"Now, there is a concert going on Friday evening, with some dancers from the other high school, lots of film music and an amazing orchestra crafted by none other than me myself." He paused for a moment. "Yes, yes, it is all very exciting. Now, there is a chance for some of you to come as part of our outstanding choir."

Before he could continue, one of the students shouted out, "How do you know that if none of us have volunteered for the choir yet?"

He smiled. "Well, I already know that each and every one of you are outstanding, so it doesn't matter who volunteers."

Ash was delighted. She had always wanted to go to a concert and this would be her big chance, even if it was just a school one. When the teacher asked the people who wanted to go to the concert to pit their hands up, hers was the first one up. Scarlet's hand also shot up, but Jess and Alicia were staring at the carpet. Ash sighed. Alicia didn't see any point in fun activities like this, and Jess was way too shy for something like this, even if Alya was there.

Speaking of Alya, where had she been? She had been missing for over a week now, and no one had seemed to notice apart from Jess and May. Surely someone would have been notified of her whereabouts by now. Ash was thinking carefully about all of this until Samantha snapped her fingers in her face. "Ash, stop dreaming. We have to get to geography."

"Oh. Right." Ash said dazely.

Samantha sighed loudly and walking off. Ash quickly went to grab her bags before running to catch up with Scarlet and get to geography.

***

"I can't wait for this concert. It's going to be so much fun!" Ash exclaimed.

"We know, you've mentioned it a couple thousand times now," Scarlet replied jokingly. "You are right though. It's going to be the best thing ever." They laughed after she said that.

"Personally, I don't get the hype of this concert." Alicia stated. "It's just singing and dancing, isn't it?"

Ash and Scarlet stared at her wide-eyed. "No!" They cried out in unison.

"A concert is so much more than just that. You can make new friends there.'

"-meet new people-"

"-learn things about music-"

"-meet famous singers-"

"-see stray kids in PERSON-"

But Alicia would not be swayed, and they eventually gave up and changed the topic.