The day I turned 15, I asked my parents to help me fill out applications to perform at the Red Piano. They knew how serious I was when it came down to performing there so they agreed under the condition that I stay in school, go to college, and never let music interfere with school (I know, it's all about school). I promised to follow all of the conditions happily. So, the three of us proceeded to fill out the applications. And to be honest it was going well until we got to the last part.
"Uh oh" my dad mumbled, scrunching up his face.
"What is it?" mom questioned.
"Melissa, I'm sorry but according to this application you have to have recommendations from 10 different restaurant owners and the owner who is making the recommendation can not, in any way shape or form be related to you what so ever. Otherwise, Red Piano won't except you-"
his voice started to trail off when he saw my smile disappear. My mom brought me into a bear hug while whispering "it's ok" over and over again.
"I'm fine" I assured to mostly myself. 10 owners? I barely know five other restaurants that have live music let alone 10.
"Listen, maybe we can find some other restaurants online that you could perform at to earn these recommendations. Or we could drive around town to find some ourselves" dad said while patting my back.
"Ok" was all I could say as I pulled every muscle within me to smile.
"Yeah, I'm pretty sure I saw one in downtown." mom claimed while releasing me from her hug, jumping to her feet and running towards the door as she yelled "GET IN THE CAR, I'M DRIVING!!"
Me and dad exchanged looks and laughed at mom's eagerness before following after her. When I got in the car I texted my friend Katie.
{Me: hey Katie! I'm with my parents in my car driving around town hoping to find a restaurant that has live music.}
{Katie: what why?}
{Me: apparently I can't perform at Red Piano without a recommendation from 10 restaurant owners}
{Katie: oh my god, you're still going after that dream of yours?! I could have sworn that, that was just a phase that one day pass. But I guess not....}
She continued to send more annoying texts about how my dream is overrated and all that jazz but I stopped reading them after the third text. I mean come on. Ever since I confided with her and my other group of friends about playing at the red piano, they would never skip a beat to tell me how I would never make it. Quite frankly, it's annoying. I mean, my parents believe that I can do it why can't you? The rest of the car trip was spent looking out the window for any restaurants, going inside and talking to the owner to make a possibly schedule for when I could come and perform, and getting both excepted and rejected by owners. In the end, we had nine restaurants, times, and dates written down in a list. To be honest, looking at all nine of the names scared me. I may be a good singer and pianist (according to my teachers) but I have never played for anyone before. Not even my own parents. And the reason for that is quite simple. I've written a whole handful of songs in the past five years (original songs). The first original song I written, I wrote when my parents left me home alone because they had reservations for their anniversary. I figured "sweet, I could write a song and it could suck but no one will ever know about it!" So I did and I thought I sounded good. Until the next day when I took my friends to the band room in our school during lunch and sang it to them.
*FLASH BACK*
"What are we doing in the band room" Leah puzzled as she cautiously stepped over a pile of symbols.
"I have something I want to show you guys." I plugged in the school keyboard and turned it on. Before I started to play, I looked around at all three of my friends and said "I hope you like it, you guys will be the first people to hear it!" And with that, I took a deep breath in and started to sing.
"What if it's dark?
What if I never finish what I start?
What if the light that promised me the world
Just leaves me blind?
What if the pain
That comes my way is more than I can take?
What if the heart that beats in me has something more to say
What if I let it lead the way?
What if I could call on the sun?
What if I could shine till' there's nothing but love?
What if I? What if I?
What if I stand up and choose to believe
That it's all, yes it's always been all up to me
What if I? What if I?
What if the truth is true for me-"
When I looked up from the piano I noticed how Leah was on her cellphone texting, Katie was standing half way out the door talking to someone, and Keira had gotten up left.
"Y- you didn't like it?" I whimpered.
"Well, it's not exactly an award wining song. And it's not my type of song. Maybe you should write more love songs" Leah sighed as she got up and left with Katie. It felt like some punched me in the gut and left me there to gasp for air. I sat there; frozen in time, allowing the tears to flow down my face. I never forgot how that felt, it made me wonder if my parents would have the same reaction if I showed them one of my songs. I guess now they'll have hear my songs, I just hope that when I play at these restaurants that the audience will like my music.
*END OF FLASH BACK*
__________________________
I just wanted you guys to know that the song Melissa sang for her friends was written by a viner/Youtuber called Jessi Smiles. It's called "What if I". It's not a Sara Bareilles song, but I like how the lyrics to "What if I" have a meaning behind them (just like all of Sara Bareilles's songs, which is why I like her). So yeah! Hope you enjoyed the chapter! :)
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Red Piano (Shawn Mendes fan fiction)
FanfictionMelissa Rivera. What is she suppose to do? She has this big dream of performing at a fancy restaurant, performing pieces that she had created herself. A dream to become a well known singer internationally. But she wasn't receiving much support or pr...
