It's amazing how everything can change in several months.

I went from having little chance of surviving on the streets with intentions of suicide to having a family that loves an cares for me. Even now, as I get ready for this Winter-Break Concert and Formal at school as a last hurrah before I leave for Boston with my boyfriend, I can only reflect on everything that's been said and done. In a way, I never expected to undergo a journey of self-realization and self-actualization that involves a lot of drama and being caught up in a web of scandal. Surprisingly enough, I came out unscathed, but couldn't help but wonder if things might've been different if I wasn't alive to see it all happen. I mean, the world would keep spinning and I wouldn't have met such amazing people who saw the best in me when my old life didn't think that I stood a chance.

In my old neighborhood, one had to be lucky enough to be blessed with certain skills to survive to see another day. And it would've been a miracle if someone was gifted with a chance to leave the 'hood if they had the athletic skills that were deemed perfect for the NFL or NBA. Me? Well, I can only see myself as more than a survivor. I saw myself as an ebony phoenix rising from the ashes. So it is, so it goes.

All I can do now is move forward and brace myself for what's ahead- good, bad, ugly, beautiful, and everything in between.

***************

The week of finals came and went, and it was now Saturday with the Winter-Break Concert and Formal getting ready to roll. Of course, the student-led concert was the first agenda before the town-led formal (which was held at the gymnasium and auditorium).

And as I was the last one to perform (a peppy blonde-haired sophomore was finishing her solo on her violin was currently playing), I was deep in thought as I was silently praying for good vibes and harmony.

"Demario?"

I opened my eyes, turning around to see Mr. and Mrs. Callaway with Dr. Nguyen following suit. "Sorry, I was just getting myself ready for this final concert here at Pacifica Glades," I replied. "I'm going to miss it here, but I know that a change of scenery at a new school is coming."

"Change is always constant, Demario," Dr. Nguyen commented. "Anyway, I just wanted to give you one more request for me. I know you planned to perform an original piece and all, but this is one that I hope you'll find enjoyable."

"What is it?" I asked.

"Maino's 'All the Above.' Do you know it?"

I nodded.

The man smiled widely. "Can you add your personal flair to the song?"

I nodded.

"That's all I ask, me sensing that this song is perfect for you as a reminder how far you've come," Dr. Nguyen said. "And this could be the song that you could use as an anthem of your life."

I puffed a deep breath. To the Callaways, "Does anyone in the jazz and chamber bands know of this?"

"Yep," answered Mr. Callaway, "and they're all for it as are everyone else."

I inhaled sharply. "Well, let's get the show on the road," I said as the violinist finished her song while the audience applauded. I watched her race backstage with glee in her eyes. "Wish me luck, girl."

"You got this, Bader," she cheered before I soon found myself crossing the stage and being greeted by the raucous crowd.

I took my seat as the bands were getting their music ready. "Well, folks, I guess you can say that I'm the last one up," I said in the microphone. "I originally planned to perform an original selection, but I was hit with a last-minute request from my therapist. And I can't turn him down since he helped me with a lot of things for the last few months. So without further ado, I give you my interpretation of 'All the Above' by Maino ft. T-Pain."

I turned to the piano, channeling my energy and ignoring the murmurs of the crowd as I began to play the first notes of the opening.

And as I let the sharp yet playful melody fill the auditorium, my mind flashed back to the times where my life began to change in so many ways: the Tucker twins tearfully discovering my drugged fate, my time at St. Luke's mental ward as Dr Nguyen began to challenge me to live, my first day at the Lomax home, my encounters with Ryan and Jillian with me soon involved in a twisted web that I wanted no part of, the kidnapping, the shootings.

Real. It was all real.

The orchestras and band kicked in as I launched into the chorus with a play on Miles Davis as a young sophomore rapped the first verse.

I remembered the revelation made about why my birth family hated me, the time that I finally clapped back, and how Denise, Trey, and even Yvonne came around to make amends- all of them finally tired of the Bader-Simmons-Ingram games of deceit and hate. I said silent prayers of peace for the fallen's families as I added a more-solemn tone when it was time for the second verse. Mozart.

I thanked God in heaven for bringing me people who called out my late mother and her brood, all of them in attendance alongside everyone from Fairlake Arms and even as far as the students from my old school who decided to see me play.

Finally reaching the end of the song, I decided to just play my heart out and let the symphony in my heart take me higher and higher as the crowd applauded loudly until I hit the final bars of the song with a flourish.

I closed my eyes as I let the tears of joy fall. After a few minutes, I stood up and took my bow as the Callaways came to my side and led the cheers. This night...was simply golden.

****************

"You're a hit, Demario!"

"Best concert performance yet! You could give Quincy Jones or Elton John a run for their money!"

"Let me know when you graduate and get a chance to apply for college. I got some friends at Julliard that will be waiting for your application if you say the word! And I expect to see you headline the Lincoln Center or the Apollo in Harlem!"

"I bet you'll be at the Grammys before you turn forty! I would kill to get a taste of your first music album!"

Those were some of the commendations from all the guests as I worked the room while the school dance was in full swing. And everyone was dressed to the nines (even myself as I wore a simple white Dior tuxedo thanks to the Kendrick clan, who also showed up) while Oliver (who wore a Tom Ford tux that boasted the colors of the transgender flag) accompanied me.  "You can't say that Pacifica Glades High School is loving you today, Demario," my boyfriend teased just as we were greeted by Ms. Machado and a few of the board members from Berman-Dawes Academy. "Oh, hi! We were just talking about the performance."

"That we can tell," the administration representative commented, granting us wide grins. "Demario, your perofmance tonight clearly demonstrates the talent that we're looking for at our boarding school. The same is said for Oliver's guitar performance."

Oliver had done a Spanish tribute that featured various flamenco selections accompanied by dancers. That also gained a viewing.

"Indeed," one of the board members, a stout older man, said as he nodded. "Once my constituents and I heard of your story, Mr. Bader; we knew that your late blood family missed out on raising a fine young man like yourself. But most importantly, you define what it means to be yourself despite your scars. It's little wonder that you and Mr. Slade deserve to come to our school in Boston and give everyone something to talk about."

"Thank you," I said, feeling humble and honored.

"We expect a lot of great things from you two," said a Hispanic man. "Berman-Dawes Academy is a school that takes no one who doesn't put in the time and effort to go for the gold. You have to truly want it and chase after the sun. Are you both willing to do it?"

"You bet we are," Oliver and I said together, voices laced with seriousness.

"Then we will see you at the Logan International Airport when you arrive on December 30th," Ms. Machado said. "For now, enjoy your holiday season and get packing for your time in Boston. Happy Holidays, boys."

"Happy Holidays to you all as well," I said as the adults led away before my boyfriend and I cheered happily, the two of us heading to the dance floor and being lost in a fiery waltz to the same song that I performed earlier.

Like I said, tonight was...simply golden. All that was left to do now...was prepare for the next big adventure of my life!

This story is just about over, but Demario has one final letter to write- one that is long overdue before he and Oliver leave for Boston! The last chapter is on the way, folks, so stick around!

Dedication: minimxmist and OralKel. Song: "All the Above" by Maino ft. T-Pain (perfect song for this chapter right here!)

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