STRINGS

Chapter 1: Puppet Strings

         I push and pull on the bow of my violin— calm sweet and delicate music tingles my ears. It consumes my whole being. Mom tells me that the people of this place feel saved by the music I make, by the mere sound of it. I don’t really get it… if makes my mother happy I”m happy.

         My eyes wandered around outside to our window, the kids in my neighborhood were playing tag! I silently giggled looking over their fun game of tag. My mother suddenly dropped the curtains to the window startling me and I stopped playing my violin.

       “Good job Corlina that was a beautiful play” My mother smiled so sweetly sitting in her wheelchair. “You just need to practice a little more to perfect it” My mother was right— the tune, the music I need it to be perfect for the show…

        “But… Mom, can I play outside for a little bit? My friends are playing!” I would always see them by my window— they were always running around and having fun, and even if they fell they would laugh endlessly. It makes me giggle just seeing them.

        “Sure Corlina, but you need a little more practice, what if you mess up at the show that wouldn’t be good would it? It’s your choice whether you wanna play and be a failure”

         I get what Mother is saying: I need to practice more so I don't end up like a failure. I don't wanna fail and see my mother sad. I didn’t wanna see her sad again— like when her dream shattered breaking her down. I just want to see again, the joy she felt when I first played the violin in front of her.

         “No I think I wanna practice more Mom” Mom was happy again so I was too.

          Years passed and I could see my peers starting high school they would do whatever they wanted, my Mom told me I was not like them and that I had a bright future— a dream that everybody wanted, a dream that she wanted. So I was happy… maybe I guess it would be fun to do what I want. But this is what I want a bright future.

            “Mom, can I stop having online classes and go to a public school?” I asked my Mom a lot about this but she always told me that— “Of course not Corlina. There are a lot of bad influences on a high school didn't I tell you this already? You have a bright future you can't just waste it on people that's not gonna matter to you in the future”

              Influence, Mom always tells me that’s what I need for a bright future— “But I long for people to trust and love Mom, friends!” I said to my mother loudly. For a second my mother looked shocked and hurt. “Corlina you already have me am I not good enough?!” Tears rolled down my mother's eyes I haven’t seen that in a while…

           “Do you not wanna fulfill our lifelong dream anymore? If only I didn’t have a stroke I would have been the best composer in the world! If only I was good enough” My mother began to shake and breathe loudly. I was horrified I hadn’t seen my mother like that in years.

           I ran and hugged my mother in her cold wheelchair. “No, I'm sorry Mom y-you're enough for me I don't need anyone else please I’m sorry I'm sorry, I won’t bring it up anymore” I was shaking it felt like stones were resting on my shoulders and some being thrown at me.

           After a while my mother’s breathing began to calm down. “Corlina I’m so glad that you were born. My dear sunshine.” My mother hugged me back. I rest my head in her shoulders, my mother is warm, as cozy as the fireplace I always crave this feeling .
           
         “Corlina you know I love you right, more than anything in this world” my mother said with her soft voice. “If you're not here I would have died of loneliness already” That's right— if I'm not here my mother would be sad.

         I don't wanna leave her like my father did— I don't think I could ever call him father that bastard. He was cruel to my mother— how could he leave my mother after having me. I thought love was unconditional— like my mother's. I smile to myself every time she call's my name.
      
          “Your my only hope Corlina. This stroke may have robbed me of my life long dream— but your here so I'm all fine.” My mother’s smile, it's so warm like the sunlight hitting my skin with the morning light.

           Years past and high school was over, even if I never got to experience it, it was still fun. That's what I tell myself as I was walking in the streets bag of food in hand. The streets was dull it didn't look like I belong— it was loud, people walking past me, cars honking, and street preformers…

           My Mom said I don't belong here, I only belong in the best place such as the orchestra. I was mindlessly walking on the town closing my eyes and seemingly looking for something— then as I walked little by little I heard it, it was so loud it hurts my ear. But I was running towards it this noise that I never heard is making my heart pounce right out of chest.

“What is it?! What is this loud sound!? Is it… Music?!"

Author's note:
I could finally publish my first story!! Please criticize my story as much as you want it's my first time ever writhing a story so I want tips that's all thank you for reading chapter 1!! See you next week!!