That’s why I love performing. It’s not for glory or attention. It’s because I genuinely love the piano and want to share that love with others. I know how it feels to be moved by a beautiful piece of music, and that’s all I want to do for the rest of my life.
Well, that and be with Ryder.
But let’s focus on what’s happening now.
There are twenty students here in the practice room, and the air is filled with music. There’s a practice piano, and many students play woodwind and string instruments, so it’s a little bit chaotic, but the sound of instruments soothes my nerves.
I smooth down my sparkling purple dress, Galileo flat against my palm, and look at myself in the full-length mirror. My hair is a little past my shoulders now, better than the bob itwas originally in. I curled it into loose waves and almost feel like myself.
My family flew in this morning—my father, brothers, and their fiancées. It was nice to see them all, but the only thing I could think of was how the one person I want isn’t here.
“Ready, Lily?” One of my roommates, Sage, appears in the reflection behind me. She was chosen to play the harp for the concert, and she’s from Florida, so we have something in common as Americans. We’ve spent a little more time together than usual over the past month, having had to attend the rehearsals for this performance.
“I think so,” I reply. “It’s just been a while.”
She grins, her green eyes dancing. “You’ve got this. I don’t think you messed up once in rehearsal.”
I wave a hand at her. “Yeah, right. I’m glad you didn’t notice.”
The truth is, I’ve made only minimal errors in practice. I’ve played this piece over and over, including for Ryder, and I know it backwards and forwards by now.
“You’ve got your little friend?” she asks, gesturing at Galileo. I didn’t realize he was so visible when I waved my hand around.
“Oh. Yeah.” I swallow, not sure how to explain my obsession with my green lizard. “He’s…special to me.”
“I’ve seen you hold him before,” she says.
My cheeks flush. She must think I’m so lame that I carry this little chameleon around with me everywhere I go.
“You don’t have to explain,” she continues. She slips a foot out of her shoe, bends down, and grabs a tiny slip of paper that’s been folded in half. “My little sister gave me this after my first concert.” She gives me a wistful smile. “I’ve carried it with me for every performance since.” She unfolds it and shows me adrawing of a girl playing the harp, clearly done by someone who’s no more than five years old.
“That’s adorable,” I say with a smile. I look back up at Sage. “Will she be here today?”
She shakes her head. “No. She’s going through chemo and can’t travel right now.”
My smile falls, and no words come out for a minute. “I…I’m so sorry.”
She raises one side of her mouth in a grin. “Thank you. She’s been really strong, and I’m so proud of her. The school said my dad can record my performance and he’ll send it to my mom to show her later.”
I swallow, guilt rising at the knowledge that someone who lives in the next room over is going through something so tragic, and I had no idea. I’ve been so focused on my own misery that I haven’t taken the time to care about anyone else.
I never meant to be so antisocial. I just wanted to be…left alone. But this isn’t the Lily I used to be, the one who cared about everyone else.
Maybe it’s not too late, though.
“I’m sure you’re going to do amazing,” I say. “And I bet she’s going to love the video.”
“Thanks. Is your family coming?”
I nod. “My dad, my brothers, and their fiancées. They just flew in this morning.” I swallow, feeling like she just shared some information about her family, so maybe I should share something about mine. “I don’t know if you know who my brother is, but he’s?—”
“Adam Stone,” Sage says, rolling her eyes. “Of course I know who he is.” She sets a hand on my shoulder. “We all know exactly who you are, Lily Stone.”
“You do?” I squeak out.
She nods. “But we’re not here for celebritydrama. We’re here to play music. And your skill at the piano…” She shakes her head. “That matters more than who you know in Hollywood.”
A big smile fills my face, probably the biggest one I’ve had since I left Brookhaven. “Well, thank you.”
