"Today's the day." I said softly as George was fixing my hair before the festival. He kissed my cheek and said, "I'm so excited to see my beautiful daughter shine her light on the world. You're gonna do great, sweet pea."

I smiled and nodded, grabbing my flute, my sheet music, and my phone. George smiled and ushered me out the apartment door to his car.

"Dad?" I asked before my foot could touch the pavement. George turned around and said, "Hmm?"

"What if I don't do well?" I asked. 

"Oh Val." George said. "This isn't a competition, you're not getting judged on this. It's just a performance. It's a really high honor that you get to be here, and you're first chair! Now, get in the car and get ready to have some fun!"

Fun. I have to remind myself that this is not a competition, George is right. It's just for fun and to show off my skills. I sighed and sat in the backseat, my flute on my lap as George headed towards the random high school where the performance was being held. 

Truth be told, I was scared. Everyone knew what happened with Discovering Amelia, and I was the lead. Why was I always thrust in the spotlight?

I know exactly why. I'm George Salazar's adopted daughter. It's sort of expected of me at this point. I decided to focus on having fun today, and as we pulled into the parking lot, I managed to crack a smile.

___________

Not all musicians are nice. 

Trust me, I should know. Because this little backstage area is the most cutthroat place I've ever been in my life. I'm getting teased more than I have ever been treated in my life. More than the aftermath of the play. More than summer camp!

Again with the kids teasing me about my accent, and wondering why I'm here because I'm so young. Now, I don't look like a ten-year-old, I'm pretty small for my age. I look more like I'm eight or seven.

Suddenly, a tall man came in the room to tell us to get on stage and set up. I was clutching my flute in my right hand and clutching the folder with my sheet music in my left.

It's my time to shine, and I'm not gonna waste it on anyone or anything.

Let's hope...

___________

The first few numbers went pretty well, because I was mostly in the background for those parts. It was this next number I was worried about. It was the number where the flutes had the majority of the melody. And there was a flute solo sprinkled in that piece too. And being the first chair, naturally I was the one who got the solo. And I was scared about how people would react to my playing, I'm not that experienced or good. 

And there's gonna be thousands of eyes staring at me throughout that two-minute solo. I don't like attention. I don't like eyes staring at me while I'm singing or talking or playing my flute. 

The flute player sitting next to me nudges me and gives me a dirty look, I think her name is Violet or something like that. She doesn't seem nice, no one here seems nice. None of them were nice.

If only I actually joined the school band so I'd have some friends...maybe someone from Eisenhower is here.

The flute solo was fast approaching, and I was getting lost in the music. This is going better than I expected it to go. 

Suddenly, the stage went dead silent, except for the drummer in the back keeping a beat. A drummer. Reed was a drummer. 

If only it was Reed on that drumset instead of a random boy I've never seen in my life.

The Violet girl kicked my ankle and I realize it's my solo. 

But for some reason, when I raised my flute to my lips, no notes could come out. My flute wasn't broken or anything, it's my confidence that was.

I couldn't do this.

I stood up, dropped my flute to the floor with a clatter and run off.

I look away for a split second and saw a massive dent appear in my flute.

Sorry Katlyn, you're not getting the perfect little sister you wanted. Not today.

AN: Told you this was gonna maybe end on an evil note! Hahahaha! Hope you enjoyed! Catch ya later!