Valentina Finds Her Voice | A Blushington Book

Chapter 8

"Jalissa's dad got really sick in Sweden and she and her mom are there with him while he's in the hospital," Grace and Isla informed me, "they're not sure how long he'll stay so she sent for her things."

I wasn't a huge fan of the unicorns and rainbows on her side of the room but with her gone my room felt barren. I unpacked and took my laptop to the lounge. The dorm felt too big with just me in it.

Plus I had papers to work on; finals were coming and everyone was slightly on edge. The announcements kept interrupting the classical music welcoming us back from break and reminding us that the semester wasn't over yet.

I watched Stormy Weather with Lena Horne and Cab Calloway with Cassie before turning in for the night. Lying in bed I stared at what used to be Jalissa's side. I wondered if they'd put someone else in here with me, but figured no one would come this late in the semester. I said a prayer for Jalissa's dad and drifted off to sleep.

Every single one of my classes handed out practice finals. I was used to getting study sheets or notes but the fact that they gave practice finals made me incredibly worried. December seemed to slow down as everyone's anxiety sped up.

Then one day I heard the best news ever. As part of the music program, first year students were to prepare a piece to demonstrate our talents for the dean and music faculty. It would be on the last day of the semester before we headed home for winter break. And it would place us in a level for the spring semester.

I already knew what I would prepare "Easy as Life" from Aida. It was a great song for a contralto voice like mine. I thought about the dean and what style he might like to hear. Anytime I had a moment to practice I did.

I even called my vocal coach and went over some things with her. I looked up the dean and his preferences and others he'd spoken of highly. Mom and dad were so excited for me and couldn't wait to hear my results. I sang and sang and sang some more. I tweaked and worked on my performance until I felt like the dean would love it for sure.

Cassie gave me some pointers about what she and the twins called the trials. They encouraged me to really put my all into it. They thought I sounded great and was definitely ready.

The school was all decked out for the holidays and there was a whimsical feeling in the air. It could've just been my good mood, but I felt like not even finals could bring me down. I was wrong, the finals were harder than I thought they'd be.

A few like english, history and math I felt like I aced but science and some of the music finals were sketchy at best. I figured I'd just wait for my grades rather than get worked up and focus instead on my performance.

On the last day of school all of the first year girls from the music department filed into the theater to perform for the faculty. Some of the girls who were in their second year or more came to watch as well.

Cassie, Grace and Isla came to cheer me on and the gifted six sat front row to give disapproving snorts or silent nods of approval, as if their thoughts mattered.

We waited with bated breath for them to call our names. The faculty simply called us in alphabetical order; it didn't matter your genre, we all preformed on the same day.

When I heard my name called I hesitated for a second. Cassie gave me a little nudge and I walked up on stage. I smiled, cleared my throat and took a deep breath.

"Name, voice type and song," dean Simulson barked from the audience.

"Valentina Horne, coloratura contralto, 'Easy as Life' from Aida," I spoke back shakily.