For the love of Music

Chapter One

"Breathe Alice. You can do this." I repeated to myself while splashing water on my face. I was currently standing in what felt like the worlds tiniest restroom trying to keep myself from having a panic attack. I looked in the mirror and watched the water droplets roll down my pale skin. Today was the biggest day of my life, the day I audition to see if I am good enough to go to Juilliard preforming arts school.

I walked outside of restroom adjusting my dress and trying to fix my red hair. I looked around at all the other people standing around waiting for their names to be called. Some were in tights, baggie shirt and ballet slippers. Others were warming up their voices with vocal exercises like 'red leather, yellow leather'. A small handful of people practicing the violin, cello, or air piano - acting like a real piano was in front of them-. There was so much going on it was hard for me to concentrate let alone hear my name if it was being called. I knew I should be practicing like everyone else but I was way too nervous.

I sat there while one by one the group of people slowly disappeared. A lady wearing a business suit walked into the hall. "Alice, please come to the stage." She spoke with such seriousness. I froze. "She called my name. It is finally time." I mumbled under my breath. I grabbed all my stuff and walked towards the stage. I took a deep breath while walking on stage holding my music sheets. I saw a gorgeous grand piano sitting in the middle of the stage. I was trying hard not to let my nerves get the best of me.

"Hello Alice. What will you be preforming for us today?" The same lady that called me to the stage said while sitting next to three other well-dressed people.

I tried not to stutter as I spoke. "I will be playing Piano Concerto No.2 by Rachmaninov" They nodded. I slowly made my way to the bench and placed my sheet music on the stand above the keys. Then I set my fingers gently onto the white keys. "You can do this." I took a deep breath and began to play. Once I started playing it was like all my nerves and everyone in the room disappeared. The theatre began to fill with the sound of Rachmaninov. It was just me and the music.

Once I stopped playing I didn't even have time to bring myself back into reality or get up before the lady told me thank you and that they would call me. I walked off stage, grabbed my bag and started walking towards the front door of the building.

"Hey Alice!" A male voice yelled. When I tried to turn around I was hit in the face by a door that was opened. I fell to the ground. As I tried to get back up, I heard the sound of laughing getting closer to me. I looked up and standing in front of me was a guy with dirty blonde hair about shoulder length looking at me.

"You're Alice right?" He asked while helping me up.

"Yes. You were the one yelling at me." He laughed again.

"I'm Thomas I just wanted to say that I thought your audition was fantastic and I'm sure my sister will let you in."

"Your sister is Dr. Ellis?!?!" I expressed in awe. He laughed again. "She decided who gets to be in Juilliard." I said still in shock that I was talking to someone related to the person that will decide my future.

He nodded like he has heard this a million times. "Well I got to go. See you in class next month."

What was that supposed to mean? Did that mean I got in? I mean he was related to the person that did all the decisions. These questions ran in my head the whole time I walked to my studio apartment.