Page 3 of Off The Rush
“Did that really just happen?”
I’m about to cry. Tears burn as they form in my eyes.
“I’m so sorry Emma, that was terrible. I can’t believe she left. I’ll be sure to tell her all about your talent.”
“What about the Spring Showcase?” I ask, voice hollow.
“I don’t know. I’ll talk to you as soon as I’ve had a chance to talk to the dean but she has the final decision on this.”
“Okay, thank you.” My voice is small and I have to swallow around the lump in my throat.
I walk off the stage feeling numb. All I can do is hope I impressed her enough before that arrogant, annoying hockey player barged in and interrupted me.
Chapter 2
I spent the rest of yesterday in hiding but it’s time to face Tessa.
The bell above the door jingles as I step into the cozy coffee shop, and the warm aroma of freshly ground beans welcomes me out of the crisp autumn air. The soft hum of conversation and clinking mugs envelops me like a comforting hug but nothing can lift my mood right now. My eyes scan the room, finally landing on Tessa’s fiery red hair sitting at our usual table by the window. Her hazel eyes light up when she sees me, her mouth forming a bright smile that immediately puts me at ease.
“Emma!” she exclaims, waving me over. “You made it! How’d your audition go?”
I sigh as I slide into the seat across from her, my fingers nervously fidgeting with the edge of my sleeve. “You’re not going to believe this,” I begin, feeling my cheeks heat up in frustration. “So there I was, right in the middle of my audition, when this hockey player - Alec Campbell, I think his name was - just barged in!”
Tessa’s jaw drops, her eyes widening in disbelief. “No way. What happened?”
“Everyone turned to look at him, and then the dean left my audition to talk to him!” I groan, recalling how the dean had completely forgotten about me in favor of this random hockey player. “They cut my audition short, Tess. I didn’t even get to finish my song.”
“Emma, that’s terrible!” Tessa shakes her head, her eyes filled with sympathy. “I can’t believe they would do that to you. You’ve been working so hard for this.”
“I know,” I reply, my voice wavering slightly as I try to hold back tears. “It just feels like all my hard work was for nothing.”
“Hey,” Tessa says gently, reaching across the table to give my hand a reassuring squeeze. “Don’t worry. I’m sure they’ll see how talented you are and give you another chance.”
“Thanks, Tess,” I say, offering her a small smile. “I really hope so.”
The Spring Showcase is make it or break it for my future in music. It’s so elite, that ninety percent of participants are offered a job performing live music after graduation. Something that is coveted in my world.
She squeezes my hand one more time before releasing it and leaning back in her chair. “So, what now? Are you going to try and talk to the dean again?”
“I don’t know,” I admit, feeling unsure of how to proceed. “I just… I need to figure out how to make this right. What kind of Dean of Music leaves an audition in favor of ahockeyplayer?”
“Want me to beat the hockey player up?” Tessa replies, her gaze steady and supportive. “I guess that wouldn’t help you get a spot in the Spring Showcase. We’ll get through this together.”
“Thanks, Tess,” I whisper, my lips cracking into a smile.
“Em, look,” Tessa says suddenly, her eyes widening as she gestured subtly across the room.
Following her gaze, I spot Professor Martin standing in line to order some coffee. He is absorbed in his phone, his salt-and-pepper hair slightly disheveled and his glasses perched low on his nose.
“Maybe I should talk to him,” I muse, my stomach fluttering with a mix of nerves and hope. “He might have news since yesterday.”
“Go for it,” Tessa encourages, giving me a gentle nudge. “The worst he can say is no, right?”
“Right,” I agree, taking a deep breath and steeling myself for the conversation ahead. “Wish me luck.”
“Good luck, Em!” Tessa calls softly, offering me a thumbs-up as I stand up from our table and cross the room.
“Excuse me, Professor Martin?” I say hesitantly, approaching him just as he puts down his phone and looks up.
