I awoke with a groan due to the cramp in my legs. Aya had taken up most of the couch in her sleep, so I curled up in a small ball to sleep. Carefully, I draped one of Aya's blankets around me and stood up to stretch. I winced at the pull and looked over to Aya who was fast asleep. I think we passed out around three and it was now... I went for my phone but it wasn't in my pocket. Where?

Confused, I stumbled into Aya's room and calmed when I saw the plain white cover of my iPhone. I picked up and pressed the home button.

"Shit"

30 missed calls, 5 voice messages, and 62 texts.

Well, it was 11:57. I sighed and leafed through my texts.

Lin: Do you need a ride? If so call now. I'm on in an hour.

V: Where are you? It's almost Sebastian's bedtime. You need to come home.

Lin: I'm on break. CALL

Oakland: Where you at, Simba? You've got Lin freaking.

RainbowTree: Text someone Small Child Miranda!

V: Where does Aya live? I'm coming to pick you up.

I stopped there. Jesus, this was not going to be fun. I'd completely forgotten about checking in about staying the night. Mom just didn't care.

Quickly, I pulled my knotted hair up into a ponytail and smoothed out my clothes. I found my shoes beside Aya's bed and used my emergency morning products I've stashed here since seventh grade. Now with my teeth brushed and all that other good stuff, I was ready to jet.

Quietly, I tiptoed over to Aya.

"Aya, I gotta go. I didn't tell Lin and Vanessa I was staying, so I'm in trouble."

Aya mumbled something about cornflakes. I smiled and awkwardly hugged her. While leaving the apartment I pulled out my phone.

Lark: I fell asleep at Aya's. I'll be back in twenty.

I nervously sent it to Lin as Vanessa was probably at work. The text would give him time to cool off, right? Or maybe time to get angry.

The sun was hot today as I travelled up the streets of Hamilton Heights. I was living here not even two weeks ago, yet this block gave me a weird vibe like a melancholic happiness.

"We haven't seen you around here lately," Bailey called from behind me. Really? This too?

I pivoted on my foot to face the three girls, "That's because I don't live here anymore."

"That's really too bad," Destiny said while taking a couple steps forward. A smirk curved across her face and she reminded me of the hyenas from The Lion King. I held my ground.

"We should get all of our frustrations out now then," Hope added. She flung her wavy blond hair behind her. Her lithe frame was poised to pounce.

"I think your frustrations are a mental problem, not a physical one," I commented. Really, it's broad daylight on the streets of New York. I don't even think they could catch me. But I was hella wrong.

Not even two seconds later I was racing down the streets of Hamilton Heights. My hair cascaded through the air as adrenaline pumped through my veins.

Out of the three girls, Hope was the one I was the most paranoid about. Her smaller and agile frame proved meddlesome when it came to chasing. Bailey and Destiny were more of the hold-and-punch type.

I cut a corner to avoid a mother and child and raced onward. I knew this would all end soon. I'd either outrun the three goons behind me or Hope would catch up to me. I had a feeling Destiny and Bailey had already given up by the time I could see the Miranda's apartment complex. Hope was right on my tail.

My head burned, my legs burned, my lungs burned. I couldn't really breathe. It felt like blood sat in the back of my throat. Yes, I need to work out more often.

Suddenly, I'm tackled to the ground. I disorientedly tried to fight back. I yelled when her fist hit my face. I swung out my legs and kicked upwards. Hope flung back and hit the ground. Before she was on her feet I was already running into the building. I hurriedly spammed the elevator button. When it opened I raced in and pressed the button to Lin's floor.

I leaned against the cool metal and attempted to catch my breath. My face hurt and would certainly bruise, but that was my least amount of my problems. I coughed and grimaced at the pain in my throat. A twenty minute walk was taken in five.

I walked slowly to the Miranda's apartment. I tried the door and it opened without resistance. I took off my shoes and peered into the living room. Lin was at the piano working.

"You're in trouble, Lark," Lin said. I didn't reply.

"I'm not sure what," his voice stopped when he turned around, "What happened."

I put my hand to my face and pulled away. Blood marked my hand. That'd explain the pain in my lip.

"Lark, what happened," Lin demanded again.

"Those kids, they saw me when I left Aya's."

Lin came forward and looked at my wounds. He sighed, "Come on, let's clean you up."

I didn't argue and went into the bathroom. I sat on the toilet as Lin went through the medicine cabinet. He wet a cloth and pressed it against my lip.

"Okay, you can no longer walk around Hamilton Heights without someone with you. And Aya doesn't count," Lin said.

I nodded, "I'm sorry about not telling you guys about staying the night."

"I know," Lin soothed, "but we won't talk about this until Vanessa gets home. Alright?"

"Alright."

"How was Aya's house?"

"It was fun," I reply, "we watched crappy scary movies and got caught up on everything."

"Did you talk about London?" Lin asked as he pulled out a band-aid for a cut on my cheek.

"No, I don't know how to tell her. We've been best friends since I moved here."

"When we go to London, if you decide to go, you guys can FaceTime and such. It'll be fine," Lin soothed.

This conversation made me uncomfortable, so I tried to change it, "I guess, what time does V come home?"

"Three, she took Sebastian to my parent's house for the day. They wanted you to come over too, but-" he trailed off meaningfully.

I looked down as guilt hit me. Spending a day with them would've been cool, but I kinda fucked that up. I ran a hand through my hair.

"Vanessa does that too when she's stressed," Lin commented. I smiled half-heartedly. Lin peered at me, "Alrighty, you should be good. Any other cuts or scrapes?"

I shook my head no. I mean there was a scrape on my arm, but I didn't want to bother him further.

"The scratches aren't to bad, and the bruising should probably clear up by the Tonys," Lin said casually. The Tonys? I wasn't going to the Tonys-

"How many awards is Hamilton up for again?" I asked hesitantly. I didn't want him to get the idea that I wanted to go or something.

"A record-breaking 16," Lin said excitedly. I had a feeling he was more excited for his friends rather than himself. But sixteen? That's more awards than years I've been on Earth!

"So what are the Tonys like? I've never been able to watch them?"

Lin gasped, "You've never seen the Tonys and you call yourself a theatre nerd?"

I shrugged, "I dunno. I never really watch TV, so I don't know much about anything unless it's on my Twitter feed."

Lin put a hand to his chest, "Perhaps, one day, I can forgive you for this, but today I cannot."

I responded with a "really" face. But then my face hurt again.

Lin resumed to normalcy (as much as he could), "Alright, I need your help. I wrote a piece for Moana, but it's for a female and my falsetto is terrible."

I smiled, his falsetto really was bad. Wait, he wanted me to sing? Moana? For Disney?

"I thought I wasn't supposed to know about the songs?"

Lin shrugged, "I usually have Pippa sing it, but I'm short a Pippa so a Lark will have to do."

I grinned, "Okay, let me read the notes a few times, okay?"

We, finally, exited the bathroom and went to the piano. Lin played the first couple notes while I read through the music. The song wasn't as high as a normal Disney song was, so that was good. I really liked it, especially the dynamics.

"Ready?" Lin asked.

I took a deep breath, "Ready."

Lin pressed a record button on his phone and started the piece and I started counting, "I've been staring at the edge of the water-"

https://youtu.be/cPAbx5kgCJo

I shook off the anxiety that had been building as I sang. Lin stopped the recording and pressed play. I cringed at the sound of my voice. I was one of those people who couldn't stand their voice. As I listened I followed the sheet music to figure out any pitches I didn't hit or any words that could've used better diction. I listened as I messed up a rhythm in the third verse.

"Now that you're warmed up, let's do another take," Lin said rather professionally.

"Kay, what is that rhythm in measure 32?"

Lin played it and I followed along in my head. Lin looked at me expectantly and I nodded before we ran through the song once again. I honestly really related to this song in an ambitious way. Before Mom died I was rooted like an anchor to her. I had to protect her. I had to care for her, but now someone actually cared about me. I couldn't really wrap my head around it, but they cared.

My whole life has revolved around the written word. I was reading years before my peers. By the end of elementary school the only books they had in my reading level were textbooks. I was chronically sick growing up, so I read. When my brothers died, I read. When my cousin and great grandmother dies, I read. It was the only way I could survive the heartbreak. I left all my problems for fictional ones. I would literally not be here without the written word. Ultimately, that what I wanted to do. I wanted to change the life of one person through my writing. I wanted to be the author that changed everything for a child. And How Far I'll Go reminded me of that want.

"That should do it," Lin said, "thank you so much, Alondra. This song is really late."

I shrugged, "No problem. I think it's worth being late."

An alarm sounded from Lin's phone causing me to jump. He flicked off the alarm and sighed, "I have an interview to head to, but I'll be home around three. We can talk to Vanessa then about last night."

I nodded, "Okay, have fun doing whatever."

Lin smiled and gave me a quick hug, "Don't go anywhere and keep your phone on you."

Trust me, I know. He hustled by and before I knew it the door shut and I was alone for the first time in what felt like a while.

Word count: 1897

Finished at 11:56 pm

Cringing. I really feel like this chapter doesn't have heart. I had Moana in here, so that's exciting. I'm currently listening to a passing train. It's like three miles out, but very loud. Um. I'm not as sick, but my lungs still have liquid. How is everybody? Does anyone have questions for me or any characters?

Your comments have been slaying me and then bringing me back. I swear. So Lark is getting in trouble for the first time so that's cool. Hope everyone okay! Thanks for reading!

Ever yours, hlwing