Sing to Me

Chapter One

“Kara!” My mother yelled, “This is serious! How are your father and I supposed to be reassured that you’ll have a stable future when you’re flunking out of half of your classes! I thought you wanted to become doctors like us, baby. It was always what you wanted.”

I shook my head, my eyes beginning to water with the emotions I was feeling. “No, mom, no. I never did. Why would I want to become a doctor! I’m not good at math, or science, or history! I’m not good at any of those things…you know what I want to do, mom!”

“We are not bringing that up, Kara,” mom hissed, “Both your father and I have reached a decision. You can’t do what that for the rest of your life. It’s not reasonable.”

“But I love to sing,” I pleaded, “It’s the only thing I’m good at. It’s the only thing I love to do.”

“I’ve never heard such nonsense!” she spewed, “I am going to leave you in your room and let you think about your actions. When I come back, I expect you to be right-minded again.”

I whimpered slightly. How could my own mom, not be supportive of me and my dreams. Yes, it was definitely a complicated one, but I loved to sing. I would never get bored of it. Every time I opened my mouth with a guitar in my hands, lyrics just flowed out. Music was my life.

“Look, honey, just think about it, okay,” mom said again, her voice gaining a softer and more consoling tone, “Going into medicine is a stable future. I just don’t want to have to worry about you, baby. You have to forget about that band of yours and all that music. It’s just not possible.”

I shook my head, refusing to say anything more. I heard her sigh and leave the room, shutting the door behind her. I got these lectures about once a week ever since my report card came in the mail. I couldn’t understand science and math: the two subjects that were the main focus of being a doctor. I wiped my eyes and braided my hair. I had band practice in twenty minutes, and I refused to look like I’d just drowned in my own tears.

I slumped to the shower and turned on the hot water. The feeling of hot steam and water running over my back loosened my tightening muscles and gave me a bit of energy back. I closed my eyes and began to sing a personal favorite- Hurt by Christina Aguilera. My voice floated throughout the room and I just knew that this was what I was supposed to be doing. It felt so natural and so comfortable. Sooner or later, I stepped out of the shower though, and dried my hair, putting on a pair of black jeans and a blue sweatshirt that I had gotten from Choir. (Which may I add, was one of the classes I did not fail.)

I looked in the bathroom mirror and told myself to smile. The corner of my lips tugged into what I hoped was a convincing one. I combed my ash brown hair. My grey eyes flashed back at me. My pale skin was smooth and creamy. I had a heart shaped face that complimented my features. But what was the point if I couldn’t sing. I remember when my grandma had told me I resembled a wolf. I missed her after she passed away.

Stepping out the door and into the breezy air, I could tell it was quickly transitioning from summer to fall. School was starting soon. And by soon, I meant tomorrow. The band was trying to get in practice before we all had to head to school again.

I got in my Honda Civic and drove to Dale’s house. He was the drummer of our band, and his twin brother, Tyler, was on guitar. We had Cyrus on the keyboard, and finally, there was Leah who recorded us and fixed all our songs into a demo and everything. 

We had our practices in Dale and Tyler’s basement since they had the biggest house. Well, I had the largest home actually, but my mom outwardly expressed her dislike for our band and I wasn’t going to ask her if we could practice in her home. Before I even rung the doorbell, the front door opened and Cyrus’s messy hair poked out.