The Little Things ✔️

Once in a lifetime

It was a week after I had met Mats brother Reece  and I was staring out the window waiting for my music exam to end. I never really understood the whole theory thing with music. I'm in it for the freedom the playing the sound not what time signature this certain piece will be in. All I can think about it how I'm going to fail this exam. Ive been so caught up with the whole Mat drama that i completely forgot to revise...oops! The times ticking on and on. I need to get this finished but I can't pull my mind away from the thought of failing
"Papers closed please your time is up." I hear the administrator call. I quickly check I've done all I can and hand the paper over. As I walk out of the hall I realise there's a letter on my locker. I undo the envelope and read what's inside.
"Al I hope your exam went ok! Reason 27 the time you took your grade 8 theory exam. Anyways Rob the head of musical theatre wants to speak to us. Come to his office after lunch X lots of love Mat!"
So rob wants to speak with us? I have no idea what about though. Me and Mat hadn't done anything bad and nothing especially good so I'm quite shocked to hear that.
After lunch I head up the stairs to the  top floor where I can see Mat waiting nervously outside. He looks up at me and smiles.
"Hey, how did your exam go?" He asks as he stands up.
"It went ok I guess." I say shrugging it off. I never really like talking about my exams because no matter how much effort I put into them I never seem to get great marks so if I am doing an exam without any revision then I'm not expecting great results. Mat pulls me into a warm hug. He's wearing the same top I saw him in the first time I met him and all the memories of that evening come flooding back into my mind.
"I'm sure you did great Al, don't put yourself down because of it." We sit down and wait silently to be called into Robs office. A while later he opens the door and friendly greets us and let's us into his study. The room is lit by the hot sun burning through the huge glass windows at the back of the room and the room is a pale cream with a few notice boards and plants dotted around.
"So the reason I called you both up here is that we saw your duet at the seniors concert and we loved it so much we sent the tape off to the Albert hall Royal youth orchestra and they would like to offer you both a place in one of their shows." He sits down at his desk and looks each of us in the eye
"Now obviously this is a big leap from what your used to but I think it would be an amazing opportunity for you both and well it's once in a life time isn't it. You won't get to do something like this again. We urm rang your parents" he says looking at Mat.
"Your dad didn't give us an answer Mat but I'm sure you can make your own decision and Alice your mum left a voice mail. But I thought maybe you should listen to it. The phones through there." He says pointing to a small door on the left of the room.
"Anyways that's all I wanted you may go." Mat turns and looks at me with a huge grin plastered on his face.
"I'll meet you outside." He says to me and he walks out of the room. All I can think about is what did my mum say. I walk into the room and press the flashing button on the receiver. I press the phone to my ear and all I can hear is her shouting down the phone
"Alice Mary Jones you are NOT going to that concert! Unless you want to pack up all your stuff and leave this household!" I don't want to listen to it anymore. I slowly put down the phone and walk out the room. So that was it! I either had to move out of my home or not change my life for the better. I'm so deep in thought I nearly walk straight pass Mat he has to put a hand on my shoulder to remind me he's there.
"Al, are you ok? You completely blanked me just then!" He says to me in a quiet voice. I look up at him.
"No not really." I say I put my head back down and close my eyes. All he does is pull me by the hand and I don't realise it until we are standing on top of the roof with the breeze surrounding us. He kisses me and then pulls away and looks me straight in the eyes. I can feel his arms around my waist pulling me towards him.
"Al tell me what's happened?" Im still in shock it hasn't sunk in yet.
"My mum wants me to move out if I go to the concert." That's all I say. If I said any more I would cry. Mat can tell I'm on the verge of tears and he surrounds me with him.
"Al don't worry. We will think of something. Maybe if we find the money we can rent our own place. You me and Reece." He an angel but I'm still not sure what to do.
"But Mat, the money?" He covers my head with his hand and pulls me against his chest.
"Al we will find a solution." We stay there for the rest of the evening and we don't feel like going home so we gather up all the blankets and snuggle up while we watch the sun set and can hear Reece's playful screams from next to us. I can feel Mats protective arms around me pulling me against his body heat. But even though I'm calmer than I have been in a while the whole time I'm thinking about the decision I'm having to make. Do I follow my dreams but leave and move out of my home or say goodbye to those dreams and be able to live another 3 years?