Short stories

Chapter 28 /fools\

I am tired of this place I hope people change

Kaitlyn walks up hugging me tightly
"Hey don't freak out okay" she says
"Its the biggest competition I've ever been in how do you expect me not to freak out!?" I whisper shout and laugh
"Take deep breathes" she says
"I've heard it helps" she says laughing and patting my shoulder and leaving and I take a deep breath
"Hey no need to worry we're ALL having a miniature panic attack on the inside" a voice says I turn to see a brown haired brown eyed boy probably my age.
"Are you knew to the whole competition thing?" He asks
And I nod my head
"Super new" I say before holding out a hand
"Sarah...Kolson"
"Dan. Dan Howell"
"I wish you all the best of luck" I say
"And to you fair maiden" he says jokingly before I punch him lightly
"Dan Howell"
"Looks like your first nerd" I say and he chuckles
"Take a deep breath I've heard it helps" I say
And he smiles before walking onstage
His piece: Schubert's Impromptu Op 90-2
And he played it FANTASTICALLY
He comes back a bead of sweat falling from his forehead and I have to resist the urge to wipe it from his brow he walks back with the biggest grin I have ever seen on a boy... Well his age
"That was fantastic!" I say over the boom of clapping from the audience, but even with little light I can see the blush rise to his cheeks

I need time to replace what I gave away
And my hopes, they are high, I must keep them small

"Thanks"
"Now you my boy have talent" I say
And before he opens his mouth to say something  the announcer cuts him off
"Sarah kolson" I take a deep breath and dan nods at me and i walk out onstage and start to play my piece:
Beethoven Sonata Op 7 1st mov
I play through the song with a giant smile even though on the inside I am LITERALLY dying.
At the end of my piece I bow and walk offstage listening to the clapping
I take a deep breath in and out.
As dan pats me on the shoulder.
"Hey newbie take some deep breaths.." He stops for a second
"I've heard it helps" he says and I smile at him
"Now We wait" he says sitting down in one of the chairs relaxing and throwing his head over the back end of the chair closing his eyes and I take the seat opposite of dan sitting straight up with my shoulders high, and close my eyes, and after a few moments I open my eyes to see Dan looking at me.
"Don't you ever take a break?" He asked looking over to me
"Yes this is my break" I say
"You're sitting with your shoulders and back straight... No one does that for relaxing" he says and it falls silent for 5 more minutes...
"My-My parents they are a bit more strict than your average parents..." I pause and take a deep breath

Though I try to resist I still want it all

"They want me to become better than Beethoven, better than Bach, better than ALL of them" I take another deep breath and close my eyes.
"So everything has to be perfect my posture, my skin, my hair, my piano... Just everything...." I say before opening my eyes seeing dan sitting far back with his legs crossed and his arms folded against his chest
"What?" I ask
"Why don't you just relax they can't see you?" Dan asks
I nervously look around before quickly standing up and pulling my silver floor length dress up mid-thigh revealing an enormous bruise on my right leg and dans eyes go wide and I immediately drop the dress
"I can't" I breath out
"I see" dan says before pulling me into an enormous bear hug at first I didn't hug back but after a few moment I hug him back.
"The judges will now be announcing the top five winners" Dan and I stand up
"I'm sure you did fine" he says and I immediately turn around and hug dan again
"I think you did amazing" I whisper before pulling away and standing beside dan
Suddenly a boy in a Jake the dog hoodie runs behind dan
"Good luck dan" he says with a super goofy grin, he has striking blue eyes, pale skin, and black hair
"Thanks Phil, phil this is Sarah, she's a friend I made" he says and Phil holds out a hand and I shake his hand.
"Good luck Ma'lady" he says tipping his imaginary hat