[Considering that music is quite subjective and the feelings it gives can also be subjective, then this a subjective story. It was a hard to write for this contest, very hard. But, I managed to get something and if it's meant to be short, then it's short]837Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw0tc0fJM13
I often close my eyes…837Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK4kW8xfj9A
Kayla looked through the display window in the Music meets the Beat store. Shining under a spotlight was a viola, fifteen inches. It was want at first sight. The slick wood and the glowing strings called out to her. Music…singing was a fine choice, but learning to play an instrument had its finer hours. It was her goal, no, her dream to get the viola. No matter the price.837Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUngXsyhCdu
And I can see you smile…837Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZAOLKWdFM3
The fresh, woody smell and the smooth surface perked her up as she picked up the viola for the first time. Kayla grabbed the bow and played, imitating what she had seen in YouTube videos. Her sound was more of a dying seagull than wonders and excitement. Disappointed, she locked it away.
You reached out to me837Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrQNeBaqI4a
but you soon drew away.837Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡamQD035RH9
Kayla tried, tried, and tried again. She was very cautious when she played, almost playing like a robot. Unlike the other children, her sound was more choppy than smooth. But, it did help that the teacher and a close friend were helping her. Kayla always remembered what her friend told her, “Keep that thumb up!”837Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUSSn5JV668
Eventually, Kayla started to play simple songs. She could play all the notes given to her, but the rhythm wasn’t right. It took a long time—days, counting ‘one and two and three and four and’—before she got it right. But, the sound was off. It didn’t help that she was the only beginner in class.837Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAGyznBxG7h
Where’re you’ve gone.837Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk2ujqyTQYm
I’ll be there.837Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtZvO2RYZmG
For my time is short, and I hope you’ll remember.837Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAXH95jHAqA
But, she strived on with strong legs and a big heart. She learned the best she could and eventually, her playing got smooth. The high trills of the notes and layer after layer of rhythm and sound made the whole experience worth it. The sound of music and describing it quite subjective, but if Kayla had to put in her own words…she’d say, “Music is what feelings sound like.”
Now, feelings and emotions are subjective all together. But, the passion and drive to start from nowhere and ending up on a path to the future made Kayla glow inside. Her sounds changed over time. Some days, her sound was choppy, angry, and frustrated. Other times, her sound was happy, joyful, smooth, elegant, and celebrative. All these different feelings and emotions filled her each time she touched her viola. But, those days didn’t last long enough.
Her poor instrument…the teacher that guided her so far along the path…her poor viola shattered. It was an accident, by all means. The cellist next to her didn’t mean to knock her poor viola off its chair. It just happened. Violas and many string instruments are made of wood. But Kayla’s…it was more of a glass treasure to her than any kind of wood in this world, and the broken shards were all she had left.837Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOW8qTbR3NC
All the times we had.837Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO8qrijCduT
I got to see you smile.837Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVZdHpSLyFS
Through the rain of doubt,837Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfMmINAj1ZU
you managed to cross right through.837Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJdRHaoBpHo
It was a silent funeral for Kayla. The broken pieces were in her case. Without hesitating, she pushed the case into the lake and watched it sink below the surface.
In a not so distant future, Kayla came across the viola again. This time, it was brand new. Its rosy cheeks and strong strings sent shivers down her knees. How? Why? When? She embraced the instrument. What miracle fell on her viola and brought it back anew?
At least…at least…Kayla could play one more song. Just one more…837Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZrVBHguF7U
837Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjUZM42pL99
