The Music In My Heart

Chapter 4

Carter's POV

"What time are you suppose to be there?" My mom asked me as I quickly gobble down my French toast and nearly drowned in my milk, coughing trying to rush out the house with my sheet music in my hands.

I'm miserably failing.

I need my binder, book bag and notes...

"Uhhhh we start at 12? 1:15?" I question myself answering hers.

"We cannot be late on your first rehersal," my mother whined.

I ran out the door with my belongings wrapped in my arms before she even said anything else and I wait for her to unlock the car door so I could hop in the passenger.

I don't know why she's telling me I can't be late and she's the one dragging..

Whole time while we were driving around town, I was doing backflips in my mind. I couldn't help but think about last week with Mrs. Arturo and honestly it's nearly impossible to hide.

"Well somebody's excited," my mom teases me making me blush and smile.

"Yeah well New York's finest piano player has returned. I'm officially official," I said confidently.

My mom puts the breaks on the car and the car grew silent, I didn't even realize I was at rehearsals already. Turning my head back around to face my mom and tell her goodbye I hear her sniffling. I roll my eyes and smile in disbelief as in to what she's doing.

"My little Carter I'm so proud of you. You're extrodinary in my eyes," My mom cries as she cups my face.

It's been so long since I've had a genuine take with music. She's more than just happy, she's relieved I'm not stress

I give a shrug and hug her while I laugh, "oh mom. Always so dramatic. You should really be on broadway." I laugh as I closed the door and she took a moment to collect herself.

Moms these days..

Turns out the location of rehearsals was at the community college I plan on attending when I'm 18- which in fact is around the corner- and I've been given a grand tour of the place so lucky me, I know where everything is.

I made sure my grey hoodie had the strings tied the way I liked them, adjusted my ripped jeans and made sure my white nikes were clean. White Air forces must ALWAYS be clean. I ruffled out my curls and waved my mom goodbye but she was rushing out the car frantically..

"Carter, your glasses!" She handed them to me and I was flustered that I can't read music without them on...

"Thanks," I muttered embarrassed as she kissed me goodbye.

I walk down a hallway and take a few swift turns and boom I'm here early- good. I can warm up just the way I want to: in peace and quiet.

I see Michelle inside the rehearsal room unstacking all of the chairs. "Good afternoon Miss Michelle," I softly said.

God I need to stop being so soft spoken but hey, graduating two years early and falling off with your somewhat social life can take a toll you know.

"Oh hi Carter! You practiced your pieces? I know you only had a week of diving in, but hopefully it wasn't too much for you. Ms. Arturo is a sweetheart, she won't get onto you. This is our first rehearsal and besides; piano sheet music is by far the most difficult," she kindly chirped.

"Did I put in hard work and dedication? Yes. Was it too much? Never. Is it possible that I've memorized them? Highly," I assured her that I took my practicing very seriously.