Music Academy (An Ella James Novel) © 2014

Chapter One - Lynn

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Chapter One - Lynn

“Okay, chop, chop, guys! Cut the crap, let's get some real playing done!"

The group groans, rolling their eyes at my persistence. Reluctantly, Sarah, reaches down and picks up her cello and sets it up in-between her legs. Alex, our viola player, picks up his instrument off of the ground, and holds it in his lap.

“Yay!" Says Brayden sarcastically, waving his free arm in the air. He already has the bow on the string, ready to play his Bass whenever we are.

Next to me on my right, Hanna let's out a sudden laugh. Curious, I turn and face her in my seat, raising an eyebrow. Hanna is hunched over her side with laughter, her usually pale face bright red.

“What is it?" I ask, slightly interested in whatever it is.

“Oh, nothing," says Hanna, through a half-snort half-laugh coming out of her mouth, while tucking her touch-screen cell phone away in her back pocket.

Shrugging, I turn back to the rest of the group.

“Okay, do you guys have any questions on your piece before we play?" I ask, loud enough for them to hear over the other students that are already playing in the room.

“Um, yeah, I don't really have a question- but, do we really have to play this song?" Brayden asked, brushing his long, light hair away from his eyes.

“Well, Hanna is the one that chose it. We were going to do Rock Along, but that was too hard!" I accuse, teasingly, even though it is true.

“Pssh. Please, I never said that was too hard. Rock Along is easy. It is a beginner's song--"

“Hanna!" Brayden gasped, mockingly. At the same time, Alex snorted.

Hanna scowled at both of them. "Well, its true, okay?! Besides, Mrs. Clayton told me we had to have a Bass guitar to play that, too."

"Whoa-ho! Calm down, Hanna Banana. I was kidding. Gosh," I say, rolling my eyes at her defensiveness.

Hanna sticks her tongue out at me. I glare at her.

Cutting in at just the right moment, Shannon says, irritated, "Are we really going to argue all day, guys?"

"No, Shannon, we aren't. We are going to play right now," I assure her, picking up my violin and bringing it up to my chin to play.

Minutes pass, and the clean-up bell rings. Cheering and sighing with relief, everyone let's go of their instruments and immediately starts to put them away.

Carefully, I place my violin in its case, and zip it up. I stand up from my chair, and walk over to the cubbies to put it away.

"Where do you think you're going, hmm?" a familiar voice asks me. My junior friend, Steven, steps in front of my cubby, intentionally making it so I can't get in.

Sighing, I stop. "Really, Steven?" I say, rolling my eyes, playfully. I go to push by him, but he stops me.

"Nope, I'm not letting you go by, Lynn."

"Obviously."

"Nah, I'm just messin'... you can go," says Steven, stepping to the side, holding out his arm to let me go by, like a gentlemen. Like I needed his permission in the first place.

"Thank you."

Steven nods, and walks away.

After putting my instrument, music stand, and chair away in their rightful places, I am about to walk out of the room, when our orchestra teacher, Mrs. Clayton, pulls me aside in her office.

"Lynn, would you mind coming here for a second, please?" Mrs. Clayton asks sweetly, giving me a small smile.

At first, I am a little afraid. Am I in trouble for something? I don't remember doing anything to break any rules. 

A little bit nervous, I swerve by a few of my classmates, and enter Mrs. Clayton's tiny office.

Mrs. Clayton's eyes pull away from the lit-up computer screen. She looks up at me.

"Okay, Lynn, I have great news for you!"

Literally, I feel my heartbeat slow when she says those words. Good, I'm not in trouble at all.

"Y-yes, Mrs. Clayton?" I ask.

"The administrator for the district contacted me yesterday after school... they said they want your group to perform in the coming up, county contest. Your competitors will be from schools all around the county, and only the best group from each school is selected. The winning school will be awarded with moving onto state levels."

Completely surprised, I stare at her, my mouth falling half-way open.

"You're kidding, right? Why are we the best? What about everyone else in the class?"

"Obviously, no, I'm not kidding, Lynn. Do you remember a couple days ago when Mrs. Call came in to watch the class?"

Remembering the short, plump, curly blonde-haired woman with the narrowed green eyes, and dressed in all lavender clothing she is talking about, I nod.

"Well, she was observing how well every group played. Only the best players in the class are selected for this contest, and, everyone from your guy's group was it. She reported back to the administrators her choices. They agreed, and, well, now that's that!" Mrs. Clayton explains.

"Oh... um, alright. What do we have to do to prepare for it, then?" I ask, already thinking about how exciting this is going to be.

“You're going to receive the piece tomorrow, so you can practice it over spring break. Then.... I don't know what!" Mrs. Clayton says, laughing nervously, rummaging around a few loose papers on her desk. "I will announce to Shannon, Brayden, Alex, Ally and Hanna the news tomorrow."

"Okay, Mrs. Clayton," I say, grinning for no reason. Well, actually, finding out you are one of the seven best instrument players in a class of thirty-five students, is a pretty big reason to smile and be proud of yourself.

As I go to walk away, Mrs. Clayton stops me one last time. "Oh, and Lynn?"

"Yes, Mrs. C?"

"Please, don't screw this up. This is your one opportunity to show me that teaching this class is not just a waist of my time. Do not embarrass me in front of the District!"

Startled by the venomous tone in her voice, changing it from sweet and excited one moment, to mean and serious the next, I nod, swallowing.

We study each other for a moment. Mrs. Clayton's dark brown eyes bore into mine. Uncomfortable by this, I say nothing, and dart out of the office before anything else that is weird, happens.