etter lay scattered across the floor, b

t to info

t. No matter how many times she told herself to shake it o

l, untouched. Just this morning, she had traced her fingers over its strings, humming

er laugh bubbling in her

er language when words failed. But

d stood abruptly. The air in her

reeze slap against her skin. It smelled like rain, the kind that washed

ing her out of her thoughts. Shine, who had

Wanna

avering optimism, the way she believed in Maya's talent ev

red the

g through her. She had poured everything into her music. Every late-night practice sess

htly. The wood was smooth, familiar beneath h

e, she lifted it and sho

closed it. She dragged the case to the back

f her

door as if expecting it to fight back. But it didn

them into fists, forcing herself

sn't m

. Find something else

en right. Maybe music wi

through her chest like she was b

the door ma

ay

r

ng at her damp cheeks before t

mom called gently. "

avoiding her parents would only raise suspicion, and the last t

and pulled t

canned her face, her expres

shrug. "Someth

e a small nod toward the dining room.

fries filling the air. Normally, the smell would have ma

he table. Her dad smiled at her f

ed a weak s

in front of her, but the sight

oat. "So... did you hea

htened on her f

g. For a brief moment, she considered lying, sparing

ed. "I didn

hed long enough to

ing across the table to squeeze Maya'

is nose, his expression u

ld no humor. "Yeah, totally fine. Dream cr

her a knowing

tended. "It's not like I'm the first person

owly. "You will,

nced. And that stung more

esn't mean it's over, you know. One schoo

t. She knew they meant well. She kne

now, it di

, she didn't feel lik

t felt.

ng pasta around her plate until it

r room, she collapsed onto th

ne buzz

you're ignoring me

would show up uninvited if she didn't respond. That is how far she

gh, she t

ay. Just nee

came i

u know, rejection letters a

ll warmth breaking

eel like a s