24 Lillian Lane

JACK

I wake up the next morning smiling, for two reasons. One, my alarm clock woke me up at exactly 7:00 like it should (for the first time ever). And two, I'm still thinking about last night. I can't believe that it actually happened. I get out of bed, and prepare myself for school. I eat, shower, and dress. Then I realize.

It's Saturday.

Typical. My alarm clock isn't even scheduled to go off on weekends! I swear it just hates me! I shoot a deathly glare at it, and climb back into bed.

But I can't fall back asleep. I just lie there, staring at the ceiling, pondering my own existence in the world. Sigh.

Bang. Bang.

It's a sound all too familiar to me, hearing the thumping on my wall. Normally it's Eve snapping at me for playing too loud, but now I think she's trying to get my attention.

I go over to the hole in the wall, and remove the violin case.

"Gah!" I shout. Eve's face is literally right there. I compose myself. That was very traumatic. "Hello."

"Hi. Sorry to scare you. I heard you moving around and wanted to wish you luck at the concert today." Eve backs up a bit from the hole.

Right. That's today.

"Thanks, Eve," I say. "Good luck to you too." I stick my hand through into her room, and she shakes it. "Why are you up so early?"

Eve laughs. "I always wake up at 7:00, even on weekends. You just don't hear me because you're asleep. Mostly I just read."

I nod. Wow. You really can live next to someone your whole life but not know them. "Cool."

"Well, bye... I guess. See you later at the show."

"Bye." I put the case back in its place.

Before I know it, it's 1:00, and I have to go to school to set up. My mom drives me, picking up Daniel and Cameron on the way.

"Have fun at this music thing, Jackie," she says as I get out. I roll my eyes because Daniel and Cameron are standing right behind me and I hate that nickname.

"Mo-om!" I groan. "Remember to come back at 2:00 to watch, and bring Dad."

My mom's pretty forgetful, and my dad will do whatever it takes not to go to my concerts. I remember my very first concert, fourth grade, I had just started playing violin. I played my little heart out that day, only to find out that my parents "forgot" to show up. I was devastated, and I still remember sitting at the front of the school and crying as I waited for them to pick me up. I'm sure my mom legitimately forgot, but what made me sad is that my dad had no excuse. Every concert since then, I've worked doubly hard to make them proud of me.

We arrive at the auditorium, where we spend the next hour setting up chairs, stands, and percussion. Cameron and Daniel chat away about some video game, and Eve and I give each other a wide berth, not looking or talking directly to each other.

And before I know it, we are being shushed backstage by the parent stagehands as Mr. Harrison introduces our orchestra. We all file on, and sit down.

My heart is racing; the good kind of racing, the kind I always get before I perform. I see Mr. Harrison, illuminated by the lights like an angel, raise his baton. We all raise our various instruments. I see his baton flick through the air as if he's painting on an invisible canvas. We begin to play.

I can understand why Mr. Harrison loves the 5th Symphony so much. There's something much more than the notes and rests printed on my page. It's the same thing that happens when Eve and I play together. I love it. I love it so much.

We start with the theme, all in unison. Then the first violins play it again, then seconds, violas, and cellos: all cascading together like those rounds you sing in kindergarten. And suddenly, a whole symphony evolves from that one four note motif. I close my eyes (I always memorize my music) and soak it in. If I get into Clarington, this will be my life every day. I will feel this way throughout my entire career if I become a musician. I simply cannot wait.

Soon, too soon, the song ends. We freeze, one mind, until Mr. Harrison lowers his baton. We drop our instruments.

The audience applauds. This is more than politeness. I don't mean to brag, but we nailed it! I stand up, along with the rest of my class, and we file offstage.

"Whoo!" Cameron shouts. "We did it!"

Daniel gives high fives. I high five him back. Eve just smiles. Mr. Harrison nods approvingly at us, and runs back on stage to conduct his next ensemble, the jazz band.

I can't help it. I casually glimpse at Eve. She's still smiling. But somethings not right. I push through the crowd of instruments, cases, and people. I sit down on the bench beside her. Nobody will notice us.

"Hey," I say softly, "Are you okay?"

Eve keeps smiling. "Of course I am."

I narrow my eyebrows at her. "No you're not. What's wrong."

Eve's smile dulls a bit. "Just- a bit nervous. That's all."

"You'll do amazing, Eve." I mean it. She deserves that scholarship more than me.

"I'm just worried. What if I make a mistake? This could change my whole life."

I touch my hand to her shoulder. "Eve. Listen to me. You are going to be fine. You are an amazing trumpet player. You will get that scholarship."

Eve looks at me. "But-"

"But what? If you don't get the scholarship, maybe your parents can pay the tuition."

"They won't. They said I could only study music if I committed enough to get the scholarship."

"Then what? You'll be a scientist, heaven forbid. You love science."

I suddenly feel really bad. Eve can only follow her dreams if she wins, and there I was, trying to steal it from her just because. But I know my parents can't afford my tuition anyway, so I guess we both have reasons to get the scholarship.

Eve nods. "Yeah. Thanks, Jack."

As soon as she closes her mouth, one of the parent volunteers comes running in.

"Eve? Eve Morley?" she says.

Eve stands up, and brushes off her skirt. She shoots me a nervous glance, and follows the parent to the stage. I watch her go, and then follow behind.

I see the scout, scribbling frantically on a clipboard as the musician who just played shuffles offstage. Eve fingers her trumpet nervously, blowing through it. She doesn't see me. I stay, hidden in the curtains, as she walks to the microphone set up for her.

Mr. Harrison takes the second mike on the stage.

"Next, we have Eve Morley. Eve is one of our best trumpet players here at Paixton Secondary. She will be performing her original piece, entitled Hope."

He exits. I stare at Eve. She's extremely pale in the spotlight. I wait for her to start playing, my ears ready to soak up the beautiful music she can create. I wait. And wait. And wait.

But Eve just stands there, frozen.