The Ash Tree

Sing your heart out

Finally, they arrived at the concert hall. Ash and Scarlet quickly jumped off the coach and embraced the fresh air before being yelled at by their teacher because they had left without permission. Luckly, they couldn't get a detention because they were outside of school hours.

Inside the concert hall was so beautiful. It was humongous and there was lots and lots of seats for the audience. Their choir would be around the sides of the hall so that everyone could hear them, so they didn't have to be the centre of attention. There were super bright lights above the stage and seats that illuminated the choir's faces in different colours. Ash almost wished that she was wearing white just so she could see the full effect of the lights.

Practicing for the big show was lots of fun. Of course, everyone had already learnt the songs in class, but it was very different here because of the orchestra up on stage playing the music instead of a device. Ash had never felt so happy before, and it was clear that Scarlet felt the same way.

***

Two hours later, the audience started to come in; the show was about to start. Ash was tingling with nerves, though not as much as she was when she had to sing on the stage at school. The conductor said his speech and then made the sign for everyone to get ready for the song.

It was the most fun Ash had ever had. Everyone was singing, dancing, laughing and she had never felt more at home before. It was almost like being back in the Year 6 leavers party. Ash really missed that place and the people in it because she had moved across the country over the summer.

***

It was such a bittersweet feeling when she left, knowing that she would never see the sweet smelling grass and old oak trees ever again. When Ash went to her new high school in Year 7, she had never felt more alone. It was so sad just watching all of her other classmates who already knew each other so well leave her out of it.

Luckly, there had been one person who played attention to her in that place; Alya. She used to have a funny habit of finding lonely people in the school and befriending them. First, it was Lily, then Jess and Ash. Lily had drifted from the little group soon after Jess joined but they were still good friends. Jess stayed best friends with Alya all throughout Year 7 and 8, and they had never had a proper argument before. Ash was very close with the both of them, but would usually spend time with Alicia and Scarlet because they were very persistent. She didn't mind though; they were fun to be around.

***

There was a lot going on that night. There was dancing, singing, even beat boxing. Ash couldn't recognise any of the parents in the audience as it was dark and there were so many, but she knew her mum was in the crowd watching the show and proudly singing along. This gave her a warm feeling in her heart.

Ash was very disappointed when the concert ended. It had been so nice. After everyone in the audience had left, the conductor dismissed them school by school. Their school was one of the first to go because it was one of the first to sign up for the concert. Ash quickly gathered her things and walked out of the dim hall into the bright light of the corridors outside of it.