Listen

Chapter 9

    Stiles was not nervous, in fact he was impressed at how he could feel nostalgia just by stepping on the stage, he should read the science behind nostalgia once this was over and done with. Lydia lets go of his hand as they both bowed. He could hear whispers spreading like wildfire when the audience first saw him. 

"Isn't that Stiles Stinlinski?"

"His mother passed away right?"

"Is he going to play the piano? Oh my God it's about time."

"Where has he been all these years?"

Stiles ignored them as he made his way to his seat, setting his music sheet and looking at Lydia to see if she's ready. Both of them nodded and Stiles took a deep breath before he started playing.

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Music permeated the atmosphere of the concert hall and people's dull faces now full with awe. As Stiles played, he felt all of his worries from weeks ago, lifting off his shoulders.

You have played a million times before, he thought, you'll be fine Stiles.

Lydia looked at him from the corner of her eye and smiled, sweating as she played the violin in her free-spirited way. Stiles played the song differently, however, since all musicians have different ways on playing instruments. The audience may not noticed this due to be captivated by the music but the judges had, of course. They knew that Stiles was no accompanist, Lydia and Stiles were definitely soloists. 

Suddenly, Stiles couldn't hear the notes and he was suddenly in the deep dark blue sea again.

No, Stiles thought, not again.

Stiles tried his best to keep calm since he was still on stage and he didn't want to disappoint Lydia either. Stiles pressed on the keys hard as he played, desperate to hear the notes. Lydia noticed the sudden change in the way he plays.

He's drowning again, Lydia thought, he can't hear the notes.

Lydia knew that something would go wrong and that what he's doing now would cause her to lose but she didn't care about winning and losing when it comes to music because there are no winning, losing, scores, or tempos and chords when it comes to music, there was just music and music alone. That's how she saw music and she wanted to know how Stiles saw music too. 

Stiles was so close to having a mental breakdown, he wanted this nightmare to be over.

"You need me don't you Stiles," his mother's voice echoed in Stiles's head, "You can't hear the notes anymore now can you Stiles."

Leave me alone! Stiles shouted in his mind. He looked at Lydia, still playing then back at the music sheet, the song is almost over. 

I should have not agreed to be her accompanist damn it, Stiles thought, she's going to lose because of me.

At that moment, Lydia and Stiles stopped playing, the song was over and so was the nightmare. She received fewer applause than yesterday as they both left the stage, Stiles feeling miserable.