She was right, of course. Rachel was always right about these things. With a reluctant nod, I grabbed my jacket and followed her downstairs.
Lunch with my roommates would normally have been exactly what I needed, but today I couldn’t focus on anything but the looming challenge of my revised audition. Ayanna had suggested several pieces, none of which feltright. They were too flashy, too abstract, too technically simple, or too obscure.
“You need to stop overthinking this,” Talia said, stealing a fry from my barely touched plate. “Pick something that speaks to you, not what you think the judges want to hear.”
“But that’s exactly the problem,” I argued. “I enjoy contemporary music, but I’ve spent years perfecting classical pieces. I don’t have anything in my repertoire that’s both contemporary and polished enough for this level of audition.”
“What about Joel Sunny or Max Richter?” Ayanna suggested. “Joel’s style is really connecting with younger audiences these days. I see him recommended all over my Spotify account.”
“Or Lindsey Stirling,” Talia added. “Imagine doing one of her crossover pieces. That would definitely catch the committee’s attention if they’re trying to reach Gen Z.”
They were good suggestions, but it still left me with the monumental task of selecting and mastering a completely new piece in three weeks, all while not neglecting my Bach.
My phone buzzed with a text just as we were finishing lunch.
Andy
Emergency. Any chance you could watch Rory for an hour? I wouldn’t ask if it wasn’t important.
I stared at the message. A month ago, I would have laughed at the idea of him of all people askingmefor a favor. Now, I found myself typing back before I could overthink it.
Me
Be there in 15
“I’ve got to go,” I told my roommates, gathering my things. “Drew needs help with Rory.”
The knowing looks they exchanged made me roll my eyes. “Don’t start. He has an emergency.”
“Uh-huh,” Talia said with a grin. “And you’re just being neighborly.”
“Exactly,” I said, ignoring the heat creeping into my cheeks. “See you guys later.”
The walk to the hockey house gave me time to clear my head, the crisp early spring air helping to ease some of the tension that had built up since reading that email. By the time I knocked on Drew’s door, I’d managed to push my audition worries to the back of my mind—temporarily, at least.
Drew answered on the first knock, looking frazzled. “Thank you so much. I owe you huge. You’re seriously saving my ass here.” Relief was evident in his voice.
“It’s fine.”
“Gordy’s helping Sam set up a venue for some sorority thing this weekend, and neither Liam nor Ava are answering their phones. I completely spaced about my lab practical for my kinesiology class that I can’t miss.”
“Drew. Seriously, it’s fine,” I assured him, stepping inside. “Where’s the little tyrant?”
Drew’s mouth quirked into a half-smile. “In her swing. She just ate, so she should be good for a while. There are bottles on the counter next to the formula if she gets hungry, and?—”
“I’ve got this,” I interrupted gently. “Go to your lab.”
Hehesitated, then nodded. “I won’t be more than an hour. Thank you, Harper. Seriously.”
After he left, I found Rory contentedly watching the mobile above her swing. “Hey there, sweet girl,” I said, kneeling down beside her. “Looks like it’s just us for a while.”
She gurgled in response, a tiny fist waving in the air. Man, this kid was too cute for her own good.
“Want to help me figure out what contemporary piece I should play for my audition?” I asked her, settling on the couch near her swing. “The committee just added a new requirement and threw me for a loop.”
Rory blinked at me, which I chose to interpret as interest.
“See, I’ve spent years perfecting classical pieces like Bach and Mozart—that’s my wheelhouse. I enjoy contemporary music, but I’ve never prepared anything at the level they’re expecting for this fellowship,” I explained to Rory as if she understood my dilemma. “I need something that’ll impress them but that I can actually master in three weeks.”
