The soft hum of neon lights outside the tiny coffee shop window lit Avery's face as she took a deep breath, her fingers gripping the old guitar she'd borrowed from her uncle. It was way past midnight, and the crowd inside was a mix of quiet night owls and curious passersby, people who just wanted to listen to someone sing about their dreams.
She was about to take the stage.
This was her world-the late nights, the open mics, the chance to step away from the everyday grind. Here, she wasn't just Avery Carter from South Dallas; she was a singer, a voice that wanted to be heard.
A waitress called her name. She took one last breath, her heart pounding as if it could break right through her ribs, and stepped onto the tiny platform they called a stage. The lights dimmed, casting a faint glow on her. She could barely see the crowd, but she knew they were out there, a quiet sea of faces, waiting.
Her fingers found the strings, and as she strummed the first few chords, everything else faded away. Her brother's hospital visits, her mom's tired face, the whispers at school-they all disappeared. She was alone with her song, her voice rising and falling with a rhythm that felt like freedom.
When she finished, the silence lingered for a second too long, and she felt a pang of fear. Then, the applause started-soft at first, then louder. A grin spread across her face as she looked out, feeling the warmth of strangers' approval, their silent nods and smiles. It was enough. For tonight, it was enough.
But as she stepped off the stage, her phone buzzed in her pocket, dragging her back to reality. Her mom. She quickly answered, and her mom's voice came through, soft but weary.
"Avery, where are you? Eli's asking for you," her mom said, barely hiding her frustration.
Avery swallowed, guilt washing over her. "I'm... I'm on my way home."
She hung up and gave the coffee shop one last look, tucking the feeling of that applause deep inside her. With one final sigh, she pushed open the door, leaving her dream behind for the night.
YOU ARE READING
High Hopes
Fiksi RemajaFor sixteen-year-old Avery Carter, music is more than a passion-it's her escape. Between her mom's long hours at the hospital and her little brother Eli's health struggles, Avery's life in Dallas feels like an endless routine of responsibilities and...
