"Alright, put it down here," I said, bending at the knees.

Balancing the bed between us, Kyle and I lowered it upon the stage. Thin black frame with a mattress covered only by sheet and a soft doona. It was the last of the props we needed to set out for now. Only thing left to do was get the instruments in place behind the set.

I don't know much about musicals, so this was something I had never seen before. Towards the front of the stage, props were carefully placed. A large block with stairs on either side sat behind the props. It was used as a set piece in every scene and hid the orchestra. Twenty to thirty talented musicians huddled just in front of the backdrop, only visible on sharp angles.

Sighing happily, I nodded to Kyle, thanking him for the help. With a quick wave he scurried off to handle his duties.

Lumbering backwards, I moved carefully, until I felt my heel hanging off the stage. Shuffling forwards, I looked over the set. It was good. Only thing missing was the actors and a few of the instruments.

Glancing down, I noticed tape covering the stage. Lots of little different coloured x's were scattered about. My lips turned down as I knelt and began scratching at the tape.

Sharps echoes resounded throughout the hall as Ms. Mira's shoes clacked against the hardwood floors. In a bored voice she said, "J, don't be a pest."

"Huh?" I grunted, peering at her with a dumb expression.

Rubbing her temples, Ms. Mira sighed. "Those are meant to be there."

Grinning sheepishly, I raised my hands innocently. "My bad."

Not bothered to stand up, I awkwardly skipped to the edge of the stage, before flinging myself off and dropping to the floor below. Jogging to meet Ms. Mira by the edge of the hall, I grinned at her. "Anything I can help with?"

"No, just don't increase my workload any further," she said, raising her brows.

"No promises," I joked, awkwardly shooting finger guns.

Groaning, Ms. Mira rolled her eyes. She turned her attention away from me and immediately wished she hadn't. Setting her gaze upon the stage, Ms. Mira saw something more disappointing than a conversation with me.

Spinning on my heel, I eyed two boys pushing a black grand Piano, across the stage. Luckily for them, the heavy instrument had wheels. Unluckily for them, they were idiots.

"Where did that come from?" I asked, watching Ms. Mira from the corner of my eye.

Sounding pained, Ms. Mira groaned before responding. "We always keep one backstage. Too much effort to drag one from the music room every time we need it."

My brows furrowing, I frowned curiously. "If it was backstage then they could've just-"

"Yes, yes I know," Ms. Mira interrupted in frustration. "It didn't need to be brought in front. They should have put it with the rest of the instruments. This, this is why I have no faith in my students!"

"Ms. Mira?"

"What?" She demanded in disgust.

"I have a feeling you'll need someone to replace me," I answered distantly, my sharp gaze focused on the boys moving the piano.

"What are you talking-"

Before Ms. Mira could finish, I darted back across the hall. For those who don't know; Pianos are heavy. Hence, it would be bad if one wheel were to slip over the edge of the stage.

Watching the Piano slide closer to its death, I charged in without thinking.

"Stop!" I screeched like a banshee, sprinting toward the stage.

The wheel slipped over the edge and the Piano dropped. Catching the edge of the Piano, I tried to hold it, but the sudden weight ripped me forwards; something in my back was wrenched loose and I cried out in pain.

The fallen piano leg dipped down, cracking against the front of the stage, but I managed to stop it from causing obvious damage. The two boys moving the piano raced around, grabbing what they could and yanking the piano back on stage.

The weight gone from my hands, I collapsed. A searing pain shot through my back. My eyes wrenching shut, I balled my fists so tight that my nails penetrated the skin. Broken grunts of pain escaped my lips.

Hissing and seething, I shifted relentlessly, desperately trying to escape the pain. My head and limbs cracked against floorboards as I gracelessly floundered across the floor.

Hands pinned down my shoulders and the last thing I heard before pain overtook me was Ms. Mira muttering about paperwork and cursing her idiot students.

The unconsciousness that engulfed me was delightful. So quiet, and empty; devoid of pain. My eyes rolled back in my skull; I was oblivious to the world of chaos outside me. Ms. Mira struggled to instruct panicking students. Rumours of my injury flew around school and soon enough everyone was in a frenzy: This includes a certain nurse in Lambarra who leapt behind the wheel of an ambulance after receiving the emergency call.

Unlike last time, Hilda did not go slow. Lights flashing, siren blaring, she raced along the streets and up the mountain path. It's nice to know that she was worried about me. Though, she wasn't the only one. Seriously, with the way people reacted anyone would think I had died!

Idiots, when I die, don't be sad; sing all-star and eat bacon. Until then, do it anyways.

Wait, I'm conscious. I can think! Whoa, I'm breathing. Mum, get the camera! Wait, my Mum's across the country. Damn it, I miss my family. Mum, Dad, my little sisters; what're their names again?

My eyes snapped open, I inhaled heavily before screeching in pain. Tears springing to my eyes, my gaze locked upon Hilda's figure.

"The hell did you give me?" I hissed.

"Drugs," Hilda responded simply.

My eyes widened before slipping shut again. My jaw hanging open, I fell unconscious once more. Shaking her head, Hilda finished her observations before leaving my new hospital room.

When I awoke again, I had a splitting headache and was sore all over. My head was foggy, and nothing was clear. My vision was fuzzy for a few moments before it eventually focused. I imagine this is what it's like to have a hangover.

Above me, yellow lights buzzed quietly. The sun was setting outside my window. I was buried beneath blankets. No pillow, I was laid flat upon a bed. There was throbbing in my lower back.

Grunting, I tried to sit up, but a searing pain raced through my body. Crying out, I dropped back to sheets. My eyes wrenching shut, I gasped brokenly. My nerves were on fire, like whenever I moved, part of my back was weighed down by a stone, keeping me in place.

Hearing my distress, Hilda walked in, disapproval on her face. Are there no other nurses in this hospital?

Stopping beside the bed, Hilda put her hands on her hips. "Don't move. You tore the ligaments in your lower back. They'll take a while to heal, and you'll be in a lot of pain."

"I realised," I whispered, tears welling in my eyes.

Hilda rolled her eyes. "Wait here and I'll get you some painkillers."

"Not going anywhere," I called, wrenching my eyes shut and desperately trying to ignore the fire raging in my body.

After a minute or two, Hilda returned holding a plastic cup and some meds. I groaned as she helped me to sit up enough to swallow to water and tablets. After laying me down again, Hilda's brows furrowed curiously.

"How did this happen?" She demanded.

"Someone dropped a piano on me."

Hilda blinked slowly before pulling up a chair. "Who?"

My eyes still closed, and face wrenched in pain, I chuckled weakly. "Hilda, was I impaled?"

Her lips drawing tight, Hilda shook her head. "No, why?"

"If I were impaled, would I finally have a musical bone in my body?"

Hilda was very quiet for a moment. Her face grew thoughtful before she laughed. "I get it! That's funny!" She cried.

Grunting painfully, I smirked. "Someone finally appreciates my humour, and I can't enjoy it."

Hilda's laughter died and she nodded sadly. "You'll be alright. Bedrest, then some physio. Just what the doctor ordered."

Sighing tiredly, I shook my head and immediately regretted it. Wincing, I stilled once again and looked at the ceiling. My answer hadn't prepared me for this. It should be obvious, but life is easier when things go your way.

"What's eating you?" Hilda asked patiently, her round eyes full of concern.

I glanced out the window and thought for a moment before responding. "You once said I'd be fine, but it doesn't feel like it."

The room fell quiet, but Hilda's cheery laughter quickly shattered the lonely silence. "Piano induced existential crisis, that's a new one."

My brows furrowing and lips turning down, I felt my cheeks drop as my eyes slid over to her. My strange expression only made her laugh harder.

"Listen, J, being positive all the time isn't feasible. Not even for you. That doesn't mean your answer is wrong."

Shimmying my head, I grinned weakly. "You sound like Evelyn."

Planting her hands on her hips, Hilda smirked. "Where do you think she got it from?"

I began laughing softly but stopped, feeling my back throbbing fiercer. Wincing, I paused for a moment and waited for the pain to settle. "Then if my answer isn't wrong," trailing off, I thought for a moment, glancing at the clouds passing outside my window. The seasons were changing again. Spring was nearly here. "If my answer isn't wrong. Perhaps I just need another. Different problems require different solutions."

Nodding approvingly, Hilda smiled. "Then, what's your answer?"

"It's okay to be sad and to struggle. It can be natural; healthy even. So then, don't give up? Actually, no, that's not right. Um, strength, use your strength. Know what it is and, and rely on it."

Her smile reaching her eyes, Hilda looked truly delighted. Her foot tapped incessantly as her leg bounced in what seemed to be excitement.

"What's your strength?" She asked eagerly.

"Being a smartarse," I replied immediately.

Hilda only laughed and shook her head. Standing, she turned to leave but first said, "You don't have far to go."

Despite having said the same to Daniel, I don't quite know what she meant by that. Though, I think it was encouragement. I've almost cracked it. My answers, my approach to life, just a little refining and I'll be alright. At least, that's what I liked to believe.