Chapter 3 --- Solo Performance

Solo Performance : A performance that only includes one performer 

Recap : It isn't the fact that I need to improvise a performance right now that scares me but rather the fact that I have to work with the lovely Mr Austin Tanner for this coming year. It is going to be a long-a$s year. A long-a$s year.

Alright, if I am going to work with him, then maybe it is an opportunity of revenge, an opportunity to show him that the world doesn't only revolve around him. With a smirk plastered on my face, I walk to the front of the crowd.

"Miss Rush, it would be a lovely opportunity to perform. As a matter of fact, I have recently just composed a song. It would be a great chance to finally have someone other than my parents and my best friends to hear it. I still haven't decided the name so maybe you can help me out." I smile. I don't normally have such confidence but you have to give the best when you come to the expert of arrogance .

"Really, Vanessa? I haven't heard about that. Please do play for us." Miss Rush says.

"Definitely. Hope you all will enjoy it." I place the flute onto my lips and I start to play a note. This song is actually inspired by my brother's departure. Oh, did I mention I have a elder brother named Bennet? Ok, I don't think I did. Let me tell you more about him. Bennet is my elder brother and he is a year older than me but even with that age gap, we are really close. There are no secrets between us. I mean my family is really united and caring for each other. We have family days and stuff so when my brother told me that he has signed up for an exchange programme and he will study in the UK for a year, it hit me quite bad and this is the origin of my song. It starts off pretty sad with an e-flat minor in the speed of legato. I close my eyes and put myself into that mood. Making a few swings with my head and focus into the melody. I feel like I am telling the audience about my feeling when I know Bennet is going to leave. But later, the song switches to a happier mood, a a major in the speed of Adante, representing the hope and joy of counting down the days of his return. The song ends with a high note a and I open my eyes, only seeing people's jaws dropped on the floor and my friend, I can't explain how much I like that, especially the way how Austin reacted.

While everyone is having their mouth hung opened, a continuous clapping sound appears. I snap to the direction of the hall's entrance and I see a mid-40 man leaning the wall clapping and that is our conductor, Chris Walker. Everyone switches their attention to the entrance.

'Lovely! Lovely! What a talented musician we have here." He walks to my side.

"What is your name?" He smiles.

"V-Vanessa Walsh." I stutter. "The name is Vanessa Walsh." I say one more time but with a bit of confidence this time. Vanessa, where is the cool and chill you?

"I am your conductor and your music is..." He seems to be trying to find the right word. " Is spectacular and terrific. Is that an original song?" he asks.

"Yes." I nod.

"That is pretty decent. Good job on the mood switching. Overall, amazing." he smiles.

"Thank you, sir. Thank you so much. Your compliments mean a lot to me. It is good to finally talk to you rather than only seeing your back in the audience stand." I say and he chuckles.

"I suppose you have been to my concert before?" He asks.

"Yes. The London philharmonic orchestra and the Chicago philharmonic orchestra." I say.

"Are you the student that Miss Rush nominated for the position of vice concertmaster?" He asks.

"Yes. Is she suitable?" Miss Rush asks.

"Musically capable, but are you ready for this challenging job?" He asks.

I take a deep breathe and reply "Yes."

"Any objections?" And silence seems to be the answer so I am now the vice concertmaster. With the smile on my face, I walk to my original position, next to Lindsay.

"Congrats, Van." She says.

"Thanks but it sure is going to be a challenging year." I say, and a year full of revenge.

Later, it is all only the arrangement of seating and things. Then it is time to leave. "Mr Tanner and Miss Walsh, please see me at seven thirty tomorrow morning, we have some orchestra matter that we need to discuss."

"Definitely."

"Sure." Then off we went. The both of us walk to the parking lot together as the conductor has asked us to stay behind for some matters.

"That song is... Is... Spectacular." Austin says.

"Why thank you. We are finally having a civil conversation and you finally have said something that is rather decent." I snort.

"Well, don't take my compliments for granted. I only said that because I really like it, muffin." He smirks. Yup, back to his cocky attitude. I roll my eyes in response.

"A compliment from you? Take it for granted? You are impossible." I say.

"Impossible? Impossible isn't even in my dictionary, muffin."

"Well, so as the word apologies, banger." I snarl.

"Banger?" He raises his brows.

"Well,you bang girls for granted." I say. He looks at me with amusement in his eyes.

"Well, well, muffin. Banger... Bang girls... That sure is what I do." He smirks.

"That isn't a compliment!" I say.

"But it is music to my ears, muffin." He reaches his car and double clicks his car keys.

"Muffin, it's going to be an interesting year working with you. Have a good evening, muffin." He hops into his car. Really hate his attitude.

"Well, evening to you too, ba-" I stop, trying to think of a new name for him. "Man-whore." I turn away with his chuckle fills the parking lot.

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I lock my car door and head inside to my house. My house isn't some gigantic fancy house that some rich people have. I mean, both of my parents are lawyers and they are quite famous in the industry but still, we are not some freaking enterprise's CEO or whatsoever. We shouldn't waste the hard-earned money on some things like these. I mean the house is fairly big enough for the four of us, well now three, so we never consider buying a new one. Well, sometimes we will hold a renovation and change things up a bit but nothing too fancy. My house is centred in a middle class neighbourhood and it has two floors, well three if you count the basement. I throw my keys on the coffee table and grab a couple of essentials as I will be heading over to Nick's. I put all of my things into my backpack. Grabbing my key once again, I walk over to his house. I flip his house key and open the door, yes I have his house keys and he has mine but I mean we have known each other for literally our entire life so don't question.

I remove my flats and slip my slippers, don't ask why I have my own slippers in his house. I walk quietly into his house, planning on scaring him by patting his shoulders behind him and yell 'boo'. I tiptoe to the living room and when I am about to take the sharp turn and enter the living room, 'boo'! I jump.

"You know, it is pretty smart that I store a CCTV in front of my doorsteps so that I would know when you arrive so I can prepare to scare the hell out of you."

"You know I hate you right?" I narrow my eyes.

"Oh no, my queen. You love me." He says, putting his arm around my shoulder. We both walk to the living room and I dump my bag on his couch.

"I am going to cook some porridge. Sit still and don't move around." I pull my sleeves to my elbow and prepare to roll any second.

"Yes, mum." he mimicks. I roll my eyes and go into his open kitchen. The inner design of of Nick's house is a bit similar to mine only the colour tone is rather colorful than mine. My house is mainly in brown and white. Whereas in Nick's house, there are different textures going around. For example, the kitchen is mainly in a marble theme while the living room is in the theme of wood.

I take out some vegetables and pork from his fridge, some rice from the pantry and I start cooking.

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"It's done!" I take three bowls of porridge into the living room. Normally if his parents are around, we would have to have dinner in the dining room but since there isn't any parental supervision, I eat in the coffee, which in my opinion is rather comfy.

"I knew it. I literally can smell the aroma from here. I am sure this extra bowl of porridge is for me, right?" he asks cheekily.

"Of course, your majesty." I say with amusement.

We plop ourselves on the couch and we eat the porridge.

"Tis is shooo goooooooood!" Nick says.

"Don't talk while you eat, young man." I chuckle.

"Tell me you still have a whole pot of these." he says.

"Of course there are." I roll my eyes.

"You know me too well." "I know you too well." we say at the same time which makes us burst into laughter.

We watch some Netflix and have a bit of fun.

'Oh no, Derek. Don't! It is a freaking bomb!" I watch Criminal Minds in fear. Nick chuckles.

"Both you and I know that he is going to be fine at last. I mean how many times have we even watched this episode?" he asks.

"I lost count." I say. We then watch a couple episodes of Baby Daddy, helping us to ease our mind a bit from the exciting yet slightly scary Criminal Minds scenes.

"Can you wash the dishes? I want to revise a bit." I say.

'Sure." he shrugs.

I walk upstairs to his study, well I mean our study. Our parents probably can foresee the future, can picture us being best friends so the study is designed for two people. I have my own table and I sit down and start working.

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After thirty minutes, I have finished my revision so I decide to head to the living room to get a cup of milk before showering. As I pull the door, I bump into Nick and the both of us fall on the floor. And yes, I am lying on top of Nick.

A/N

Hello, everyone! Before I say anything, I just want to say I am proud of myself for uploading the second time in the month because considering the crazy load of work, this is pretty good to me. Just sayin'. So... I notice that the last chapter does not have may reads but I mean I don't care about that. Wait, no, I actually do but what I want to say is that I can't control people to read my books so if you are reading this, I'd like to say a massive thank you. 

I know that 'banger' actually means very old cars but I change things up a bit and use it as the literal meaning, a bang-er. So... Don't judge because I lost my creativity in nicknames.... Anyways stay safe no matter where you are and be happy:)

~Ally