Ecstasy within Notes

how many instruments do you play?

Great, this is my 48th try. Yes, I've counted.

One glissando messes me up and I don't understand why, dad is going to be furious. I've been in orchestra since I was 4, and I know he wants the best for me but I have to be "perfect".
I look down at my watch and it's 9:30 am. Rolling my eyes I look at the sheet music, down at my bridge, back at the music, and get in playing position. I start playing Moonlight Sonata by Beethoven. Around 5 minutes into the song I notice the glissando is coming up and my bow patterns start to get shaky, do you want to guess who walks in? My father. I sit up straight trying to uphold my confidence while getting past the "hard" measures just fine.
He walks up behind me as I'm playing "Good job, I like the tone you're bringing in." I smile and exhale pure relief that he didn't yell at me for slouching a bit. "It took forever, but I think I'm ready to do a full run through by tonight." I say eyeing him and my music as he walks in front of me. In approval, he nods "We shall see what you are capable of. You play 9 instruments, cello is your easiest one right?" I nod halfway "If you say so, dad. It's a complex instrument." He chuckles. What's funny here, I'm stressing that I'm going to get it wrong and he has the audacity to laugh at me? my God. I set my instrument down and go sit on the window sill at the trees.

Hours pass.

I make my bed, and by make, I mean smother myself under the blankets trying to get warmed up. Today is June 21st, I need to check my email. I graduated high school June 5th, if I'm lucky enough, I'd get accepted to my dream school.
I remember getting previous emails from the University, but none saying "Congrats! You've been accepted." I should though right? I maintained all A's this year, this state only cares about numbers and not actually what you are capable of doing or knowing. I squint as the brightness on my phone blinds me, opening my email I search in keyword: "university" and sure enough I had a blue-dotted email from 7 days ago.

"We would like to welcome you into our freshman fall class! You've been accepted, Upmost congratulations to you, Astor DeSanta!"
My eyes widen and my voice gets higher every word that I read. Mom and Dad come in confused "Honey what's the problem? It's 2 am you should be asleep!" My mom says in disbelief. I sit up and hand her my phone almost in tears. "Dad, we did it!" I jump up and hug him, even though he's half sleep he jumps with me "Are you talking about your dream school, Astor?" I nod and the tears start flowing. "AHHH!" All three of us scream in excitement. "I'm so proud of you honey!" My moms tears form also as she applauds me. I smile and put my phone on the dresser. "I made it, my hard work. It worked. I did it! But, I couldn't have done it without you guys. My main motivation and supporters. I'm sorry for waking you up though." They laugh, "Hun, it's okay. News like this was worth waking up over" my dad says making my lips quiver. "I love you guys so much." I whisper yell.  "It's bedtime now, Astor. Get some rest. I love you too." mom says as she walks out with dad blowing me a kiss.

I turn over smiling hard as ever. I finally get to play instruments in a state that other people love.