[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]790Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSepLyNIwDc
I often close my eyes…790Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyJK4Czf9XZ
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.790Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZHugzdIQAh
And I can see you smile…790Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOsZIPhJkcq
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 me790Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ95A48BjPh4
but you soon drew away.790Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsbJEnb3Nf3
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!”790Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYKP64AQY63
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.790Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0spcyeN8pM
Where’re you’ve gone.790Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKIw2dFFzdO
I’ll be there.790Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU2afpV6f5J
For my time is short, and I hope you’ll remember.790Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw8RXpN0iO0
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.790Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmwitowHT7O
All the times we had.790Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRsn7fSbIuJ
I got to see you smile.790Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGlHCTPkNru
Through the rain of doubt,790Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBRuxkbsR20
you managed to cross right through.790Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTf31SbX6bR
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…790Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZnqvXfcLZE
790Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKCr8yiO0fT
