A/N: Play song in the header when directed! Media: "Breathin'" by Ariana Grande

It was now T-minus ten days until the Fourth of July weekend and everyone at Cartier Valley was getting into the spirit of the summer madness while preparing for the incoming Independence Day ball. Of course, Logan and I were also getting into the spirit while getting through the usual therapy sessions and classwork that was seeming getting to pile up with me still waiting on the final decision from Cookman-Lanier High School of the Arts.

Right now, I was joined by Ms. Monroe, Dr. St. Pierre, Logan, and a few of the teachers as we were doing some rehearsals for a couple of the songs that I wanted to perform. "So, Wendell," Ms. Monroe said, looking over the song list, "you told me that you wanted to do one song that focuses on mental health, am I right?"

I nodded. "It's called 'Breathin'' by Ariana Grande and I learned that she wrote it mainly to describe the panic attacks she would usually have with the death of her grandfather," I replied. "It's also a bit of a tribute to end the stigma for Black Americans with mental health problems, you know? Many Blacks nowadays are struggling with depression, anxiety, and other illnesses, but they feel like that they can't be afforded to be seen as weak or not as strong as usually portrayed in TV and movies."

"Good point," Dr. St. Pierre nodded.

"That's the truth right there," said Dr. Sellers. "I want to hear some of it if you don't mind."

Nodding, I headed towards the piano while the symphonic and jazz ensembles began to take their positions. I took a couple of deep breaths to erase the jitters before I raised my hands above the ebony and ivory keys.

 
A/N: Play the song NOW!
 

The first verse always gets to me when I usually listened to this song. It's mainly describing the way I've been leaning on my inner saboteur for too long and the voices of my grandparents always seemed to bring me comfort as I let Ariana take me away.

Feel my blood runnin', swear the sky's fallin'

I know that all this shit's fabricated, mmm

Time goes by and I can't control my mind

Don't know what else to try, but you tell me every time

And here comes my favorite part.

Just keep breathin' and breathin' and breathin' and breathin'

And oh, I gotta keep, keep on breathin'

Just keep breathin' and breathin' and breathin' and breathin'

And oh, I gotta keep, keep on breathin', mmm

Sometimes it's hard to find, find my way up into the clouds

Tune it out, they can be so loud

You remind me of a time when things weren't so complicated

All I need is to see your face

So true, Ariana, so true.

Feel my blood runnin', swear the sky's fallin'

I know that all this shit's fabricated, mmm

Time goes by and I can't control my mind

Don't know what else to try, but you tell me every time

Here comes that chorus again as I could hear everyone clapping to the beat.

Just keep breathin' and breathin' and breathin' and breathin'

And oh, I gotta keep, I keep on breathin'

Just keep breathin' and breathin' and breathin' and breathin'

And oh, I gotta keep, I keep on breathin', mmm, yeah

The wailing of the guitars from one of the clinically depressed musicians (Bobby, I think it was) helps me launch into a musical interlude as I perform the vamp while adding a twist of Quincy Jones, Miles Davis, and even some Bach in the piano.

My, my air

My, my air

My, my air, my air

My, my air

My, my air

My, my air, yeah

I pause for a moment, my mind and soul flying higher and higher before...

Just keep breathin' and breathin' and breathin' and breathin'

And oh, I gotta keep, I keep on breathin'

Just keep breathin' and breathin' and breathin' and breathin'

And oh, I gotta keep, I keep on breathin', mmm, yeah

Everyone's cheering me on as I reach the finale, but I wasn't going to be happy until I had finished the song in its entirety. And as the outro comes in, I give it my all and hit the nail on its head while feeling grateful for Grandma Lillie Jean teaching me to play.

Feel my blood runnin', swear the sky's fallin'

I keep on breathin'

Time goes by and I can't control my mind

I keep on breathin', mmm, yeah.

And with that, I take in the applause while keeping my head bowed as if lost in prayer. Well done, my grandson, I heard the voice of my grandmother say in my head.

"That was so good," Dr. Valenzia gushed as she and Logan came to either side of me, trapping me in a big hug. "Are you okay?"

I looked up into the smiling face of the blonde and nodded. "Yeah," I replied. "I just got lost in the comfort of my grandmother's support of her music skills. She and Grandpa were mainly the reasons for inspiring me to play this."

"I bet that they would be proud of you," Logan assured me as he snuggled in my arms. "I know I am."

Suddenly, the clicking heels of Ms. Whitfield heralded her arrival as she was followed by Officer Talbotton, the former carrying an envelope in her hand. "Hey, Wendell," she said. "I heard that you're getting ready for the big ball, so I needed to come in and see you perform. Also, I got this from none other than the principal of Cookman-Lanier and he instructed me to hand this to you in person."

I knew what it was, readers. It was the big moment that I was waiting for and I needed to finally figure out if I got in or not. Tentatively taking the envelope, I silently said a prayer for courage, blowing an imaginary giant bubble in my mind before opening it up and revealing several sheets of paper.

Dear Mr. Harding,

The people of Cookman-Lanier High School have heard of your story and learned of your transgressions back at McHenry South Academy. As the principal of the school of the arts, I am shocked and disgusted by how you were treated and ignored by the faculty as well as surprised that you finally decided to fight back. While I don't condone violence, you had every right to get your retribution on everyone there as well as your family.

But I digress.

Anyway, the faculty and staff have seen your application to attend our school and your audition tape for the performing arts program. It is without a doubt that you exceed our expectations and you are definitely a gifted child. It is without a doubt in my mind that you are accepted into Cookman-Lanier High School of the Arts for the fall semester. Upon receiving your final transcript from Cartier Valley Academy, you will be secured a place in our honors program and will be given the finest that we offer.

You have potential, Mr. Harding. The way that it was ignored and abused by your family and the people at McHenry South High was simply tragic. You deserved better. And here at Cookman-Lanier, you will have it. Enclosed is a tentative class schedule, the school calendar, and an application for...

I didn't bother reading the rest because everyone was cheering and clapping for me. I had gotten in at Cookman-Lanier and I didn't need to bribe my way in. Good things do come to those who wait, after all.

"Hell to the yeah," Whitfield drawled, wrapping me in a big hug. "This calls for a celebration! Wendell, how are you feeling right now."

I just felt... nothing. As if I was simply floating on air and I was about to fly into the night.

"Wendell, are you okay?" I heard Dr. St. Pierre ask me. "You're scaring us a bit."

Snapping out of my thoughts, I took in a sharp deep breath and nodded. "I'm just a bit spooked out on everything," I replied. "This is some epic news right here. I just need a moment to take this all in."

That was a hint for Logan and me to head to an empty classroom and get some time for me to process it in. We headed to one across from the band room and we just stared at each other, the acceptance letter still clutched tightly in my hand. "Are you okay?" Logan asked.

I took in a deep breath... and let out a giant scream of happiness. And that's when it finally hit me: I had proven the haters wrong and I knew that my family was rolling in their graves.

"I take it that's a yes," he grinned, wrapping me in a giant hug. "You did it, Wendell. This is your moment. how does it feel?"

I stared into his eyes with my teary ones. "Like I'm heading into the beginning of the rest of my life," I replied. "I did it!"

And we just stood there, wrapped in each other's arms in a cocoon of joy and accomplishment. This was only the beginning of what's next. And though I knew that Braeden was coming back, he was not going to ruin this for me. I'll be damned if he does.

Wendell has earned his way into Cookman-Lanier High! I'm so proud of him! And after all he's been through, he deserves it!

Anyway, the song mentioned in this chapter is a reminder for everyone to stop with being loss in the chaos and just breathe! And I hope this song is to remind you to stop stressing over everything and allow yourself to stop and breathe!

Unfortunately, we'll hear from Braden in the next chapter as he gets all he needs for his lethal comeback. And boy, I can only say that the boy is too far in his madness!

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