[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]665Please respect copyright.PENANATdJJVFncU0
I often close my eyes…665Please respect copyright.PENANAjclba91V1N
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.665Please respect copyright.PENANAHeUqbdCrlr
And I can see you smile…665Please respect copyright.PENANAa8A7nPeWRD
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 me665Please respect copyright.PENANAidy7hmUp4q
but you soon drew away.665Please respect copyright.PENANAu1Z7010R0G
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!”665Please respect copyright.PENANAVhylSd2xvR
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.665Please respect copyright.PENANALEuPQvaTm6
Where’re you’ve gone.665Please respect copyright.PENANAURc7ruOOGQ
I’ll be there.665Please respect copyright.PENANAISGl74vSkD
For my time is short, and I hope you’ll remember.665Please respect copyright.PENANAZX1T4ZORn3
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.665Please respect copyright.PENANAb0mFv2G7ps
All the times we had.665Please respect copyright.PENANAhAnAk8vhHz
I got to see you smile.665Please respect copyright.PENANAkeQ5lo3rtb
Through the rain of doubt,665Please respect copyright.PENANAYZ2ETbVKLZ
you managed to cross right through.665Please respect copyright.PENANAH5dLGbvQoR
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…665Please respect copyright.PENANAK9Qag94Z9B
665Please respect copyright.PENANAIrstmpXCwy