The days following the concert are a whirlwind of excitement. My social media begins to fill with messages of support, and I receive inquiries about future performances. I'm overwhelmed but grateful for the attention.
However, with success comes new challenges. I'm balancing my music career, schoolwork, and home responsibilities, and I can feel the pressure mounting. My parents want me to maintain my grades while pursuing my passion, and I'm determined to prove that I can do both.
One evening, I'm buried in textbooks, my guitar resting nearby, when Mia calls. "Hey, how's everything going with school and music?"
"It's a lot," I admit, rubbing my temples. "I'm trying to keep up with my studies while also preparing for more performances. It feels like I'm constantly juggling."
"You've got this, Lila," she reassures me. "Just remember to take breaks. You need time to recharge, too."
"I know, but I don't want to let anyone down," I reply, frustration creeping into my voice. "I want to prove that I can manage everything, but it's tough."
"Just focus on one thing at a time. You're doing better than you realize," Mia says gently.
After we hang up, I take a moment to breathe. I remind myself that it's okay to ask for help and that I don't have to do everything alone.
YOU ARE READING
HEART'S IN THE SHADOWS
FantasyLila has always been the forgotten child, overshadowed by her parents' attention toward her half-siblings and younger brother. Despite her love and dedication, she is treated as little more than a servant in her own home-unseen, unheard, and unloved...
