Piano Man

Chapter 3: The Competition (Part 3)

My mother kept pestering me with questions as she sat down. I sighed used to her overprotective nature. I did my best to avoid her questions and excused myself to the bathroom.

I quickly left the tent and calmed down outside. The heat had gone down considerably and I felt a slight breeze brush past me. I felt my face cool down from the events that had just occurred. I whipped around when I felt a hand on my shoulder disturbing my peace.

I found Kevin standing there laughing at me. I hit him on the shoulder just enough to make it hurt.

"Kevin! Are you trying to give me a heart attack?!" I yelled at him as he shook with laughter.

"Emma you should've seen your face. Priceless." He laughed as I embarrassedly looked away. He continued the laugh until he noticed I wasn't in that great a mood.

"Ahem." He said composing himself. "How'd your talk with Baron go?" I looked at him realizing that was the reason I should really be mad at him. I glared at him while he smirked at me.

"Thanks to someone I made a complete fool of myself." I crossed my arms at him annoyed. He looked away with an innocent look on his face.

"Really?" He asked. "It didn't look like you made a fool of yourself." He smirked at you once again. "Thanks to someone you actually got to talk to him." My glare faltered as I knew that was true. There was no way without him that I would've talked to him. I sighed and nodded resigned. I chewed on my lip, a force of habit when I got nervous.

"Well, I did make a fool of myself in front of him. Especially, when my brother came." I looked down at the ground hoping to shrivel into it from embarrassment.

"I don't think that he really thought of it as anything to be embarrassed about." I looked at him hopefully. "Even if for half the conversation you looked like a tomato." I frowned and swatted at him. He chuckled and blocked my weak attack.

"If you want a second chance for redemption. Tonight the pianists are having a celebration for the end of the competition." I stopped my small assault and turned my head to him expectantly. He smiled and nodded "Yes, the reason I'm telling you this is because I want you to come." I broke into a grin. A second chance at the damaged conversation I had with Baron.

"Thank you so much, Kevin." I said happily. He was the best wing man ever. I was so happy I went to this piano competition. As we talk I finally hear the announcer's voice from the speakers.

"Baron Conney." I hear a round of applause as he enters on the stage. I look at Kevin and he shrugs.

"I'll find you after the competition ends." I say internally wondering what I'm supposed to tell my mom. He nods and motions for me to enter the tent. I smile and walk through the heavy white fabric. As I enter I feel the mood change. The song he plays overflows with sadness and heartbreak with every keystroke. I feel entranced as I walk back to my seat. As I sit my mother gives me a questioning look, but she doesn't say anything while the music plays.

As I watch him I feel as though he is telling a story with the notes. The fluctuations in the song bring a sadness over the room. Everyone else seemed to fell it too, including my mother. She sat frowning at the display with her lips pursed. I saw her eyes soften slightly throughout the song.

I wished I had listened when the announcer told the song choice. I wanted to know what person created such a beautiful song. I squeezed my hand into a fist and kept it that way until the song slowed to an eventual stop.

Everyone was silent as he stood from the bench to face us. The cloud of emotions seemed to dissipate just enough for me to stand and start clapping. He looked at me surprised and even more so when everyone else followed. He found my eye and beamed at me before turning to the crowd that had erupted into a chorus of cheers.

The announcer once again came onto the stage as the applause quieted down. He motioned for Baron to bow and then leave. Baron complied and went backstage grinning. I felt my mom shift next to me. I looked over confused to see her stand up. Her facial features were softer than when she arrived as she looked at me.

"Just be home by nine, okay." She asked me with an edge of warning to her voice. I nodded confused by her change in behavior. She smiled and patted my head before disappearing out the tent.

I sat there for about twenty more minutes until the announcer stated that the competition was over with. I sighed contented with the wonderful performances that everyone put on, but not content with sitting on a hard chair for another hour.

I saw Kevin stick his head through the opening in the tent and motion to me to follow him. I quickly got up and ran after Kevin. As I found Kevin surrounded by to find the other pianists. Some with their families. Others all by themselves. I found Kevin by another pianist. They were both chatting until Kevin caught sight of me. He excused himself from the conversation and made his way over to me.

"Ready?" He said, I shook my head at the thought of messing up another conversation with Baron. He smiled and slightly pulled me with him into the thick of the crowd. In the middle a table of food had been laid out for I assume the pianists and their families. Baron stood off to the side of it in a seemingly funny conversation as he laughed at whatever the person had said. Kevin stopped about two yards away and turned to me.

"I'll go talk to him first." He said. I looked at him suspiciously. For becoming acquainted with him today I have already learned of his humor. I stepped forward and looked at him.

"No I'll go." He looked at me quizzically.

"You sure?"

"Yeah..." I said trying to gather all my courage. He stepped back giving me a clear path to Baron. I took a deep breath and took my first step towards him.

A/N: Sorry it took me so long to update. I wasn't sure I was going to continue the story, but my friend gave me some inspiration. I hope you guys like the new chapter and don't be afraid to tell me what you think. ^^