Page 21 of Ms Perfectly Fine
When rehearsals were over, Autumnplayed the first part of her solo for Nina. She stopped when she saw Nina wince. Something was off. She was playing the right keys, but it didn’t fit.
“I know it’s not the strongest, but I was interrupted before I could settle into it,” she said, thinking of how Elijah had stopped her.Even he said how terrible it sounded! I should be able to do this in my sleep. He thought it was bad enough to be considered revenge.
“I think it sounds fine. You’re just being hard on yourself,” Nina said, sitting on the stool beside her. Thankfully, no one was in the theatre to hear her tripping up.
Even if she was still messing up, she had to admit that her back felt a lot better with the extra rest this morning, even if she didn’t agree with Elijah’s methods.He must have noticed the medicated patch on my back, but he didn’t ask.She also knew that he must have seen the medicine cabinet since he’d added his own single packet of migraine tablets. Since he’d respected her privacy, she respected his and didn’t ask about it.
“Fine isn’t what I was going for,” she said, closing the lid of the piano harder than she should have. “Of all the shows, why am I messing up my first solo return?”
“Sasaki thinks you’re ready, and so do I, but you might need more time,” Nina said gently.
“I don’t want more time. I want to get back on stage without needing extra support!” Autumn twisted her hair into a claw clip.
Nina rose from the stool to pack her things. “Maybe the problem is that you’re pushing too hard. You’re so focused on getting it perfect that you aren’t enjoying it,” she suggested.
“If myintruderhadn’t interrupted me, then I would have been able to practise more today.”
“Forget about Elijah. This is more about you than him. You’re playing, but where is the heart?”
Autumn studied the notes on the paper in front of her.Heart?Nina’s comment confirmed her fears: something was missing.
“Still practising? I hope you aren’t neglecting yourself,” Sasaki said, appearing from the wings.
Autumn grabbed the sheet music from the third movement and shoved them into her bag before he could scold her for straining herself. “No, we were just messing around. I can assure you, I’m taking care of myself,” she said, putting on her jacket.
“Well, enough messing for one day. I want to hear the third movement before the end of the week,” he said, looking over his glasses.
She felt her throat tighten at the short time frame. It was a good thing she worked well under pressure—mostly.
“I’ll give it my all,” she said, straightening her back only to wince.
Sasaki gestured for her to come closer. “Is your back holding up? I know you’re already under stress about the movement. I don’t want you putting practice before your health.”
She didn’t want to lie almost as much as she didn’t want to see the concern in his eyes. “I’m fine,” she said, trying to sound convincing.
“Really?”
“Perfectly,” she lied.
“If you say so, but I want you to rest. No solo is worth it.”
She knew he was talking as her friend, not the conductor who was relying on her for the showcase.
“That’s not necessary—”
Sasaki tutted. “You practised late last night. I don’t want your pain to cripple your talent,” he said.
Autumn sighed. He was right; when she pushed herself, all she did was make everyone’s lives hard.If I leave now, it gives me more time to work on my piece at home. He can’t stop me from practising there.
“Do you want me to come over later and help? We can go through it together,” Nina whispered, reading her mind as they left for the theatre. Autumn wished she didn’t know her so well.
“No, this is something I have to figure out for myself,” she said.Finding my heart, apparently.
Nina gave her a tight squeeze before they parted ways.
Autumn made it home justbefore the rain started. She removed her shoes at the front door, flexing her back as the ache set in.Nothing an ice pack and lying on the floor can’t fix,she thought. Thankfully, her key had worked, and Elijah’s office was quiet. She would have thought him gone, but his motorcycle was parked outside.
She tiptoed past his door to the kitchen, not in the mood to talk to him after a long day. She was tired, sore, and hungry. She didn’t need to add irritation to the list.
