Midnight Crescendo

I woke to the unwelcomed light shining fiercely on my face, still sleepily rubbing the gunk from my eyes. I began my morning greeted to my ever so poised mother awaited my arrival at the table for breakfast. She began her morning complaints, picking everything that I ever did wrong from the moment I sat down, my eyes rolled with annoyance. Her gaze only darting at me more. It didn't matter anymore. I didn't care her opinion didn't mean much to me, in fact, I hated it. I was angered by her attitude so I aggressively pushed the table shaking it just enough to spill her tea, I smirked as I walked away. I drowned out her yells, walking away with such satisfaction. I slammed my door and played my music, sinking into the notes as I got ready for school.

My bus arrived, my headphones still bursting with music. I sat along the edge falling into my own realm. My mind wandered endlessly, my dreams could only be stopped by the never avoidable school day. I half-heartedly pulled my headphones out, before they were taken away and carefully shoved them into my pocket. My feet were at the edge of the entrance, I gazed at the bustling hall not wanting to enter until a push on my back tumbled me face-first into the traffic. I was ready to scream at the culprit, enraged with annoyance. I slowly turned around to meet their eyes. My rage melted away at the sight of her, my heart pounding with joy. I screamed with glee as we hugged, for I had missed her for so long. My worries melted away and I didn't care that the bells endlessly rang, for I had been separated from her for so long, my eyes welled with tears as the joy was uncontainable.

We strode together into the office to get our late pass, still smiling uncontrollably. My day had brightened and I couldn't wait for lunch. As we waited for the lady to finish her call, her eyes glance at us and begin to shake. My head filled with confusion. I slowly turned to see her. My mother had stood tall behind me, anyone who saw her would quiver and shake. Her presence overwhelmed the entire room and the walls engulfed us with silence. My mother slammed a note into the office, sending a shiver through the innocent office workers. She grabbed my wrists and hulled me into the car. I sulked in the seat, filling the entire car with darting glares at my mother. My emotions became unbearable as I remembered the saddened face she tried to hide as I was pulled away, I still remembered her soft grip as we walked the halls. My mother didn't care, instead, she passed my sheet music. My heart filled with anger. I had told her a million times I wanted to quit. I hated competing but she never listened.

I cried for her to stop the car, I didn't want to go home and practice it was pointless. She turned back to me with a stern look. "You will compete and you will win. For no other reason should I have raised you?" I felt the water fill my eyes as I sunk into a world of contact stares and judgement. I wasn't going to continue after this, I was certain. "I will win, but if I do this is my last competition. ever." She nodded in agreement and I felt a sense of ease once again. My breathing was no longer shaking nor scared. I wouldn't quiver in the presence of my mother anymore.

I spent hours, reading practising and learning my piece. I had to win, there was no room for mistakes. I learned every note meticulously. The days passed faster and faster, the date was closing in and my preparations were coming together. Finally. The car began and the smell of gas filled the garage. I hopped in, ready with my violin in hand. We arrived at the event and I began my piece. My hands moved in every way I wanted them to. It worked. My heart was pounding with excitement and I was filled with joy. I was about to finish and as I hit the crescendo I was filled with fear. My fingers began to cramp up at the sight of her. She was standing in the back, her smile tried to cheer me on. But as I saw her I saw every other glance of disappointment. They cut through me and I began to fill with tears. The weight of failing crushed my heart. The crowd seemed to be endless, the sea of stares digging into me.