~Creative Writing #4~

~Music to my Ears~


The day is finally here. The butterflies in Lola’s stomach were fluttering like crazy. What if she messes up? What if no one thinks she can play well? What if, what if, what if…all these questions were going through Lola’s head. She looked out of the side curtain. She saw all the people…at least 200 if not more of them. What if? The director told the students they had 7 minutes till curtain up. How could she perform if she was shaky? She was leading them, she had to sound good. One more peak out and I’m sure I’ll be better, she thought to herself. She looked for someone she knew. Her whole family was there! Her mom told her that it was just going to be her parents and two sibs. But instead, all her aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandparents were there. Great, more pressure.

She looked around her, taking everything in. The burgundy curtain, heavy and on the ground, looked menacing. Every time she looked at it, it reminded her that once it was up, she was going to be in front of all those people. Stupid stage fright, she told herself. The lights on the stage were starting to light a little more. The show was about to start.

Everyone backstage was running around, making last-minute preparations. There was hustle and bustle all about. Behind the curtain, stage crew was setting up all the chairs and music stands. “It’s almost time, everyone! Places!”

The last 7 minutes went by fast. It was time for them to get into their positions. Curtain up. The lights were shining bright on Lola’s face and her fellow students. Thanks to the lights, if was hard to see out into the crowd. She put her instrument up to her mouth and played like no one was watching, just as she would in rehearsal. Everything went great! When it came time for her to hold the melody or perform her solo section, everything went smoothly and she never messed up. ‘Music to my ears,’ she thought to herself after she had accomplished her task.

After the performance, Lola met her family – the whole clan – backstage.
“You did wonderful!” her parents praised her.
“Splendid! I knew you could do it,” was what her grandmother said.
“I think once I saw all you guys out there, I just…played. Thanks for coming to support me!” Lola thanked her family.