Bass Case

Chapter 15: Deception

    I sit up straight in my chair on the edge of the seat. My viola stands firmly in my lap, and my bow falls comfortably in my hand. The white lights around us are blinding. The music reflects the suns raise off its bright surface from a window exposing the paper to the elements of the outside world. When I look up at Mr. Forte, all I see are dots scattering the air from the overpowering rays. I see a movement, and I proceed to raise my instrument. I look over slightly to see Sarah not far off, back in her normal seat. Confident. The professor's hand goes down, and we both come in strong. We start in with a fast paced string of accented eighth notes. Then come in the violins, glistening across the high notes. The basses pluck their strings, keeping the steady beat. The song reminds me of a desert. I can see the camels walking aimlessly through the sand. Climbing higher and higher up the dunes until they can finally pop their heads over, watching as the land spreads out into even more miles of sand. The endless slow journey, yet the confidence in each step. Knowing that they will surely find their destination. The violins and violas sink together, crescendoing with each rising chopped note. Then at the climax they quickly fall back down, striking each string with the same ferocity as before.

    My finger slides out of place, hitting a flat note. I look up at Mr. Forte who ignores the mistake. We all stop. Then Dana comes in, rising quickly up the finger board. My eyes widen as her fingers dance intensely across the string. Then after she reaches a tremolo at the top, she finishes up her solo with a glissando back down to an E. She quickly pulls her bow back down, her hand shakes from the vibrato, and she pushes the bow back up. Then finally we all come in with four accented quarter notes for the last measure along with her. Mr. Forte smiles in satisfaction as he lowers his bow. "Great work everyone." He compliments, smiling as he pushes up his glasses. He seems in an oddly cheery mood today. "I think everyone is well prepared for our next concert, for once." I can see Dana in the corner, casually flipping her scarlet hair in satisfaction. I look over at Sarah to my left who's gaze traces the square tiles in the ground. She can't bring herself to look up at our professor. I'm surprised she came along at all today for that matter, but she said she wanted to see the room one last time. Mr. Forte casually collects his scores, placing them back into their proper folders and then carries them to his office, dismissing the class.

    I reach for my bland case, gently placing my instrument inside. I stare at the wooden viola for a long while as though it were the last time that I would ever make contact with it. I touch it gently on the shoulder with a smile before swiftly closing the case. Most of the class has already left except for Dana who continues to show off as usual. Just as Sarah picks up her cello case the scarlet haired violinist calls out to her to hold up for a moment. She approaches Sarah, not paying much attention to my existence and looks at her dead in the eyes. "You've been missing a lot of rehearsals. You're a principal player. We can't afford to have you missing all the time. Try coming to school more often." Dana orders.

    Sarah recoils in shock that Dana would dare speak to her in such a manner. She has always been one of the most well respected of the bunch. "I am quite aware of that."

    "Then why have you been missing?" Dana says, clearly trying to pry.

    "Does it matter?" I jump in, "It's her business anyways."

    Dana glares at me, unyielding, "I don't really care what has been going on. These rehearsals are absolute. Be sure to show up from now on."

    "You have no right to—" I start, only to have Sarah grab my arm to halt me.

    Sarah simply replies, "Understood." Then we exit the room.

    As we enter the hallways, I can't help but spill over in frustration. "How dare she." I growl. The sound of our footsteps echo against the red walls of the fine arts building. "She had no right to talk to you like that."