[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]708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQanq3HCM62
I often close my eyes…708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv5Cuy2Kzud
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.708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqmy2F69cPe
And I can see you smile…708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuzMp7GT5zb
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 me708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTYEmkzPUJ8
but you soon drew away.708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXMdnHo3wG5
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!”708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ04VCfPOXCC
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.708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsW0ag0uD0D
Where’re you’ve gone.708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxaOeYM2g16
I’ll be there.708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLji4sIxyeX
For my time is short, and I hope you’ll remember.708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCbKNDqYXuv
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.708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡypdlltZNwc
All the times we had.708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPYWWq7s3wy
I got to see you smile.708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwhzrqUIXC8
Through the rain of doubt,708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKOCG6ilIGX
you managed to cross right through.708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmOkN5ovKaL
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…708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp1twGRCu3q
708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxxnwXbOVms
