Across Water

Chapter 7-Louisa

Louisa's Pov.

A blast of air went through my nostrils, inhaling the deep minty scent. Deep breaths, deep breaths, I told myself, trying to calm down my stage-fright nerves. Performing was okay with normal people, but not okay with some professional, competition judges.

The bathroom door suddenly flung open and the breath caught in my throat.

"Louisa, are you in here?" It was just Michelle, my best friend. I let my breath go, and called back to her: "Yeah."

Michelle was already in her formal gown, makeup perfect and hair done up in a classy bun. She flung her arms around me, "Don't worry, I'm scared too." I hugged her back, while my eyes were caught in the mirror: tense, scared little girl, with her hair messily trailing behind her back. I broke away from the hug.

"I'll get Miss Santino." Michelle said, "and fix your hair, you're going in fifteen minutes."

I stiffened, "What? I can't go into the changing room like this. Can you bring my dress and makeup?"

Michelle looked doubtful.

"Please Michelle." I begged, then she nodded.

*

Ten minutes later, I looked every bit elegant in my floor-length black dress and wavy curls. Michelle gave my hair a final spray, then smiled. They hurried back stage, where all the competitors were warming up their fingers and tuning their instruments. My hands were cold, and having no control of my muscles, I picked up my violin, tuning and playing the first few bars of my pieces.

If only I didn't have to perform today. But one of the competitors already stepped on stage, playing beautifully, making all the others nervous. I was on any minute with my first classical piece.

"Kill it." Michelle whispered.

Butterflies forming in my stomach, I stepped on stage. My high heels clicking, everyone was silent. I had three pieces to go through- a dance piece, classical, and baroque, each performance was just as stressful as the one before.

At last, the curtain came down and the final round of applause was over. It'd be months before I have to go through this again.

On the car ride home, my mother-Amy Stark kept critiquing tonight's performances, "You were the best, thanks to the practicing we did on that violin. You are going to practice one extra hour today." My mother went on, "Devon Carter was okay, Michelle was perfect, and Zoe was rubbish."

I stared out to the window, trying to block out my mother's voice, wishing that I didn't have to practice so hard, all tell my mum not to be so judgemental, but I was too tired to speak.

*

The alarm clock read 8:25. It was Monday, and tomorrow I'll start a new year of high school. I didn't have school today, because of the cancellation of a snow storm. Playing with my fingers, my limbs were heavy from sleep. I laid there a little longer, before Amy called, "Lulu! Time for the morning practice!" I crashed to the floor with a groan, and walked out to the kitchen.

Amy was in the kitchen, making eggs and bacon pancakes for me. I poured myself a glass of orange juice and sat down at the counter, my eyes suddenly caught a cream colored envelope, addressed to me. I tore it open and skimmed through it briefly.

Dear Louisa,

We are pleased to say you've been accepted into Saint Ketigern High, good luck....... Please have your payments due... If you have any concerns or questions...

My eyes grew wide and I slammed the envelope down to the marble counter. Had my mother really booked me into a new high school in another city, when I didn't want to go? It was bad enough attending the violin school in the weekends, where full-time violin training was.. and now another great new surprise?

My vision blurred as tears started to form inside my eyes. I wiped it with my hands as I saw one rolling down towards the letter, and black print swarm before my eyes. My mum turned around, her spatula still in her hand, "What's wrong Lulu?"

"You booked me in a new high school." I said through my gritted teeth, "I told you I didn't want to go!"

Amy frowned, but then she tried to keep her voice light, "It's nothing bad, Lulu. There will be a chamber orchestra in the school, it's brand new too."

"I don't want to go. I'm not bringing my violin there for five days!"

"Nonsense Louisa. You'll enjoy it. And it will give you an advantage to be successful, this is the best school rated in the year. Besides, it's been booked and paid for."

I blinked, then looked at my mum straight in the eye, "Then I'm going to be late. School starts today."

Amy chuckled, "Don't worry Lulu. It's only the first day. You'll be leaving tomorrow at seven o'clock."

I bit my tongue, "OK." After I finished my breakfast and my morning practice of my violin, I started to pack for the first week of Saint Ketigern. My hands were trembling, thoughts were running through my head.

Oh, god.

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Hey! Sorry for the short chapter, it sucks.

Who do you think Louisa is?

COMMENT, FOLLOW, VOTE!

~E