Backstage: Third Time's the Charm

Alya Kendrick

Alya Kendrick
Grade 11
Music Program

We'd only been back at Keaton for a week, but it already felt longer. I'd missed my friends, but more importantly I missed my music. Writing wasn't the same without sharing it in class.

Mr. Parks cleared his throat. "Ahem." He leaned against his desk, resting her hands on the flat surface behind him. "Today we'll begin a semester-long assignment where you will remix one of your old songs. You'll be doing this with a partner and each of you will perform the song during the winter showcase."

Bianca raised her hand. "Can you define 'remix'?"

"I assume we're all familiar with what a remix is."

"Like, I could add a sick drum line in a slow song to make it more upbeat," Jax piped up from the back.

"Exactly, Jax. Take the song and make it your own, but in a different way."

Bianca raised her hand again.

"Yes, Bianca. You can pick your partner for the assignment," Mr. Parks sighed. "I expect you to have picked a song by the end of the day."

I turned to Miles. "Want to partner up for the remix assignment?"

"Actually, I was thinking about partnering with Jax." Miles pointed to Jax, who had moved to the classroom piano. "You don't mind, do you?"

"Of course not," I lied. Why didn't my boyfriend want to work with me? His decision came like a punch to the stomach. "I'll just work with Bianca."

"That's because Alya knows real talent when she sees it," Bianca said.

She slung her oversized bag to the ground and sat next to me.

"Did you have any ideas about songs to remix?" I asked. I had hoped to remix "Dig Deep" with Miles, but Bianca and I could do something with "The Fool". Or, maybe I could go back to one of my older songs.

She shrugged and then glanced at Miles. "Always the drama with you two. Why aren't you working with your boyfriend?"

"He wanted to work with Jax." I started to flip through my song book. "Shouldn't we get to work on this project? I don't want to put it off until the last minute."

"I know. The winter showcase is a huge deal." Bianca's eyes grew wider. "If Keaton doesn't raise enough money, they'll be forced to shut down permanently."

Laughter from Miles and Jax drew my attention and I looked at Miles longingly.

"Alya," Bianca said. "Should we go someplace where you won't be distracted?"

I looked at her sheepishly. "Probably a good idea."

Bianca and I moved to a picnic table in the courtyard and spent the rest of our free period going through our song books. She flipped through her book with frustration.

"I don't think any of my songs would sound good remixed," she complained. "But I think "Beating of the Drum" might be cool."

I looked at my notes on the song. "Maybe we could strip it down. Make it primarily drums with bass in the background.

"Except neither of us play drums."

"Miles taught me a little," I said. "And I don't think Mr. Parks would have a problem if we asked for help."

Miles and Jax walked over and sat with us.

"There you are." Miles kissed me on the cheek and sat on top of the table.

"Did you decide on a song yet?" Bianca asked.

"Well—" Jax started, but Miles nudged him.

"Not yet. We'll figure it out."

Bianca and I shared a look. Miles had been acting weird all day.

"Miles, are you feeling okay?" Bianca asked.

I suddenly realized Miles had become extremely pale. He closed his eyes for a minute and took a deep breath.

"Actually," he started.

Then Miles fell off the table and crumpled onto the ground.

"Miles!" I jumped up. "Miles!" I touched his arm gently. "Someone call an ambulance!"

Other students around murmured with worry. Some of them even started taking pictures.

"Call an ambulance," I whispered. "Please."

***********

I tried to sit still in the waiting room. Anxiety got the better of me, so I stood and started pacing, wondering how Miles was doing. His mother had arrived an hour earlier, but she had disappeared with the doctors, and no one would tell me what was wrong with him.

Finally, Mrs. Lennox entered the waiting room. Her slight frame looked smaller than usual, and her thin face was rigid with fear. A sudden chill went through my body.

"Hello, Alya." She sat down in one of the hard chairs and pinched the bridge of her nose.

"How's Miles? Is he going to be okay?"

"Miles's kidney is failing."

"But the transplant?"

"The transplant is failing. He'll need another one and soon," she sighed. "Look Alya, you're a nice girl, but Miles needs rest. That means no stress or excitement. I don't want you to come by the house anymore," she said firmly.

I sank back into one of the chairs. "Miles is my boyfriend. I'm not going to abandon him when he needs me."

"Even if it's best for him?" Mrs. Lennox leaned back. "Miles is very sick, Alya. Another attack like this could kill him." Her voice grew shaky. "I'm sorry, but Miles's health is my priority right now."

I tried to understand what she was saying. But life without Miles?

"Can I see him?"

"No." She stood. "I'll explain it to him."

I nodded and blinked back tears. "Of course. Will you tell him I hope he feels better?"

Her face softened. "Yes. You should probably go home now."

Tears streamed down my face as I left the hospital and caught a cab home. I hadn't even gotten to say goodbye.