Secret Story #39: A Melody No One Can Play Alone
Secret Story #39 6/5/17 "A Melody No One Can Play Alone" Caitlin sat on the bench, fiddling with the base of her dress. She was nervous, very nervous. It had been months since she played in front of a crowed and, although she practiced everyday leading up to now, she still wasn't confident at all. The only reason she had to play is because a friend asked her too. The original piano player quit a week earlier and Caitlin was the only one readily available to fill in. Sitting there now, behind the curtain, waiting for all the people to find their seats, gave her second, third, and fourth thoughts about agreeing to do this. The entire school and then some would be here tonight, very few of whom knew that she could play the piano at all. But, with her nerves, she wasn't sure if she could play either. The only comforting fact she had was that she was not performing alone. It was a duet. A very odd duet; piano and violin. Caitlin had yet to meet the violin player, her friend assured that as long as she learned her sections everything would be fine, and hoped that they could calm her a bit. "Hey, sorry I'm a little late." A light red-headed boy carrying a violin case took the only other seat on the stage and began setting up. He pulled out a purple, electric violin, that surprised Caitlin. She wondered how her high and slow sections would interact with whatever he was going to play. She watched as tuned it and she began to slowly recognize his face. He went to her school, maybe had a class her two, but she couldn't remember his name. "Jake," he said, as if reading her thoughts. "I'm, uh, Caitlin." She mentally flinched from her stumble. Jake just smiled and slowly ran his bow across the strings. The sound was deep and smooth, which wasn't what she was expecting. He played a few more quick notes, testing everything out, and Caitlin thought he seemed very comfortable with his instrument. She hoped she was able to keep up. "Lot's of cars outside. Looks like it's gonna be a big night. You nervous?" Caitlin nodded vigorously, adding a light laugh. "Yes, I am. I've never performed for this many people." Jake smiled again. "Well I've never performed at all," he said, scratching his head. Caitlin was surprised at first, but gained a calm sense knowing she had slightly more experience than he did. "I hope we don't blow this," Caitlin said quietly. Jake shrugged. "Either way, I think we'll have a good time." He looked into her eyes as he spoke, and when he was done, there was a pause. They lingered a bit, staring at each other, smiling. Caitlin got an unfamiliar feeling in her chest, but before she could think too much about it, a bell rang and the curtain began to rise. Caitlin received one last big smile from Jake before the both took a breath and began to play.
