Pianist Problems

Chapter 2

After trying to feed the stingrays for almost 30 minutes, Amy and I decide to get out of the water and dry off. While we are drying off, the same boy that touched Amy's breast comes over to where our table is.

"She's not interested," I say.

"Jeff, I got this," Amy says to me.

"What you did earlier was really disgusting and inappropriate and I could report you for doing it," Amy started to go off.

"I'm sorry. I really am. I just fell into peer pressure and did it," the boy confides.

"Well listen, don't fall into peer pressure, because it makes you look weak," she responds sharply.

"Let's go Jeff," Amy calls out to me.

I look at the boy and roll my eyes at him, just to give him that sassy flare that I am known for. Amy and I both walk to the bus to get on when my phone starts ringing. I pick it up and it's my piano teacher.

"How is Une Barque Sur L'Ocean and Ondine going?" my teacher asks with excitement.

"Today is Tuesday, which means it's not piano today," I respond, chuckling at the end.

"I know, I just wanted to check up before our lesson tomorrow. I want you to be prepared for that Ravel Competition in a month," she responds.

I sigh and say that I have to go. The Ravel Competition is really stressing me out. I have my college audition for NYU around the same time and it feels like the whole world is collapsing on me. And my facial expression shows it too.

"Everything alright?" Amy asks me.

"I'm just a little stressed," I respond.

"Ravel Competition and NYU, huh," she says, with a tone that says it's not the first time she has heard this.

"Yeah, I just really want to do well in both," I say.

"Well that's understandable. Why don't you just practice when you get home and I'll send you cheat sheets for all of our tests," she says trying to make me happier.

I smile and we both keep walking towards the bus. Having Amy around really helps me when I am in times of doubt, or I feel that everything is a bit to much for me.

When we reach the bus, we board and then sit back and let the 10 minute ride home take its course.

We get back to school at 3:50, which is just enough time to get our backpacks and pack up anything that we had out. The bell rings at 4 and everyone storms out like it's the last day of school. Except it's not. Because we are only in October.

I wait on the sidewalk of my school for about 10 minutes and there I see my mom, pulling over to pick me up in her burgundy Nissan Sentra.

"How was school?" she asks me.

"Had a traumatic stingray experience," I respond nonchalantly.

"Did you remember to shuffle?" she asks with growing concern.

"Yes I did. And that's how I happened to find a stingray," I say.

My mom laughs and starts driving toward our house. I live about 15 minutes from school, so it's not far, but not walking distance. We pull up in the driveway and I spot my dog standing behind the screen door wagging her tail in excitement.

"Hey Cocoa!" I shout petting my black lab on the head.

My mom closes the door and puts down the car keys and looks me straight in the eye.

"Has Mrs. Kang called you about the Ravel Competition?" my mom asks.

"Yeah she did, in the middle of my research on feeding stingrays koi," I say in response.

"You know, she is a little concerned. She knows that you have the talent to get first place, but she thinks that you are a bit spaced out right now. Do you understand what I mean?" my mom says with concern.

"Ugh. Mom, you and Mrs. Kang just have to believe in me. I know my strengths and weaknesses and I know how I can take myself to victory," I respond with annoyance.

My mom purses her lips and walks to the kitchen to start on dinner. Tonight we are having grilled Mahi Mahi with brown rice and broccoli. I watch my mom artfully season the fish and then I start to head to my room with my backpack. I stop halfway there when I hear the phone ringing from an unknown caller. I answer it.

"Hey who is this?"

"Hahaha I know who you are but you won't remember who I am."

The voice sounds really familiar, but I can't pinpoint it.

"Well why are you calling. If this is a prank call from that group of boys, I ain't having it."

"Oh, looks like we have Mr. Tough Boy on the line!"

"Listen dickhead, I am in no mood for any bullshit right now so if you could leave me alone and never call me again, that would be absolutely perfect."

I hang up the phone and put it on silent. I set down my backpack on the floor and I sit on my bed, looking at the several posters of whales and pianos all over my room. I really am into both. I just can't help it. But it's time that I seek help. Because with all of the stress and pile up of practicing and studying, I will not be able to go any further.