“Well, why don’t you tell me how your Juilliard application is coming along?”
“It’s almost done,” I lied through gritted teeth. “Look, Dad, I don’t mean to be rude, but I have a lot of homework to get done.”
“Right, of course,” he said with a nod. “I have work I need to finish as well.”
Three hours later, I wrenched a final note from the strings of my violin and exhaled. My entire upper body was drenched in sweat, and I felt as if my arms had turned to lead.
If one good thing had come from my argument with Dad, it was the angry energy searing through my veins. I used it to tackle the only problem in my life I had control over—my Juilliard application. Too amped up to overthink things, I selected four pieces I knew by heart that didn’t require any accompaniment. After running through each one a couple of times, I set my laptop up on my desk and filmed myself playing. Not for my prescreening video—I wasn’t even close to being ready for that—but so I could listen to the recording and pinpoint where I needed the most practice.
As I was setting my violin back in its case, the floorboards outside my bedroom door creaked. I whipped around and caught Violet standing in the hallway.
“What are you doing? Spying on me for Dad?” I asked through narrowed eyes. Clearly she had no issue being a tattletale, so I wouldn’t put it past her.
A hurt look flashed across her face. “No, of course not. I was just—”
“Just what?”
“I was listening to you, okay?” She tucked a pale blond curl behind her ear and heaved a sigh. “Didn’t realize that was such a crime.”
“Why?” I demanded. Violet was never interested in my music before. If she wanted to hear me play, she could have attended any number of my many orchestra concerts. Why did she suddenly care now?
“Because it’s been weeks since I’ve heard you play anything.” She hesitated for a moment, then added, “I was getting worried.”
I narrowed my eyes. “About what exactly?”
“Your Juilliard audition. After the conversation we had about your makeup stuff, I thought maybe you’d decided against applying and—”
“Thisagain? I already told you, my college applications are none of your business.” I knew I was being unfair, that it was Dad who upset me, not Violet, but it felt good to take my anger out on something other than my violin. Right now, I wanted to be left alone.
My words had their desired effect. Violet’s expression turned to stone. “Okay, Indie. Message received.”
* * *
Just checking in
J Mitchell
Tue, Nov 3, 8:02 AM to Indie
Hi honey,
Is everything okay? Your father informed me that you skipped school and he had to ground you.
Also—any updates on your Juilliard application?
Xoxo,
Your slightly concerned mother
Re: Just checking in
Indie
Wed, Nov 4, 3:57 PM to J Mitchell
Dear Slightly Concerned Mother,
Everything is fine except for Dad overreacting. Any chance you can put in a good word for me so I’m not stuck at home until Thanksgiving???
