A Different Kind of Music

Chapter 1

"Sam?" 

I did not want to get up, but I had to. 

"Samantha! You will be late for school!" 

My mom was already coming up the stairs, "I will not tolerate such behav-" 

She stopped when she saw me fully dressed, sitting in my bed. 

"A good mother once told me I should always be ready for anything." 

I said with a giant smirk on my face. I couldn't help it, my mom was always on my case and honestly I was sick of it. I could get ready quickly so why was she waking me up so early, I could finish all of my homework in like five minutes, yet that didn't stop her from telling me to do it after school. 

"Well then," she said, clearly flustered. "Will, and Ryan are waiting outside." 

Crap. Ryan Brookes. As in the Ryan I've had a crush on for the longest of time, and I should mention that he's Will's big brother.  Let me guess you're probably thinking then who the hell is Will? Will. As in Willow Brookes. As in my best friend since like forever. Willow and I met at a music camp a long time ago.  The moment I met her I knew we would be awesome friends.  Since I took up more instruments and learned about music production, I stay in room a lot.  I promise you I'm not antisocial, I'm quite the opposite I love hanging out with friends, and I've decided to help Willow out with that.

"Sam! Can I borrow your blue sweater today? I can't find mine!"  My sister yelled from her room.

"Sure! Go for it!" I yelled back. 

You see, I have a younger sister, Nataly, she's actually not that bad considering she's 14.  She doesn't sing as much as I do, she's pretty good with the ukulele though.  In all honesty, art and crafts is more her thing, and music as mentioned various times is mine. This year I'm making it count, but right now back to playing it cool in front of Ryan. Although I don't like him much as I used to he's still a good looking guy, and really who wants to be an idiot around a cut guy like who even thinks about doing that? Either way I should probably go out to meet them. It is the first day of schools and Willow will be anxious. As I'm grabbing my backpack and phone, I hear my mom's phone go off.  

She picks up and says, "No, that can't be right..."Lots of silence then, "Samantha cannot know she's been removed from the choir." 

More silence then, "She cannot find out Willow made it...I just can't believe she didn't..." 

The rest of the words were a blur, just like my vision was beginning to look like blurry. Removed from the choir?  But that's what made me...me.  I blinked hard a couple of times, what was wrong with me?  This was a mistake, it had to be.  Pull yourself together Samantha!  I quickly walked out the door, not even daring to look at my mom.  Of course, because I walked out a little too fast, I tripped on a loose step from my porch and fell face first on my frontward, freshly mowed grass.

"Samantha, are you alright?"  A voice said, gently helping me up.  Yup, you guessed it, it was Ryan.  My tears came back as quickly as they left, and the dirt on my face didn't help.

"Oh god, Sam..." 

Willow quickly rushed to my side, and Ryan stepped back.   I quickly wiped away the few story tears and got up abruptly. 

"I'm fine." I said, then added the most classic excuse. "I had something in my eye."

"You sure?" Ryan asked, a small smile creeping up on his face.  "Or are your first day nerves getting to you, Sammy?"

I smiled.  Good, we were back to normal with whatever just happened behind us.  Willow finally got up, and said, "Don't call her Sammy, she doesn't like it, genius."

"True."  I turned to Ryan.  "Not a big fan of how girly it sounds."

"Well fine." He rolled his eyes, his beautiful brown eyes-snap out of it Sam! "If you're done staring at me...can we go?"

Damn it, he caught me.

"Oh God Ryan...don't flatter yourself, not all the girls like you you know?"  

"Maybe not all the girls, but I can definitely think of one..." He smirked.  Wait was he flirting with me? Is this the part where I say something cute and funny, with some attitude? 

"Yea, you done talking about yourself?"  Willow cuts in.  "Guys we gotta go now!"  And so my dirt covered face, along with Ryans perfectly chiseled jaw, and Willows silky skin are all facing the direction of the bus.  As we watch it drive away, leaving us with no means of transportation..."I guess that leaves us with no other option", Ryan said, clearly unbothered and then I realize why.  "Guess who gets to drive today?"

We all quickly climb in, and the moment we're inside Willow starts pulling out face wipes and starts wiping off the remaining dirt and grass off my face.  Then she finally sees the redness around my eyes, and the tears that still clung to my eyes.  She sighs, and mutters an "I'm so sorry Sam."  Wait.  Did she know?  

"What are you talking about, Will?" I ask, deciding whether im hurt or confused.

"You're crying because you didn't make the cut right?" she said quietly.

"So you mean to tell me you knew and-" my voice faltered.  Ugh no, get it together Samantha!  "Why didn't you say anything?"

"Because I knew you would get like this...I really am sorry."

"Look you don't need to apologize, I get it." Which is true I did, I would always live in Willow's shadow.  That's just how my life worked.

"You can talk to Mrs. Golding, you know."  She gave her best smile and said.  "Maybe they might let you practice with us!"

I couldn't be angry at that smile so I hesitated, and smiled the fakest smile.

"You know what? You're right Will!  I'll talk to them today, and how can Mrs. Golding say no to me."  

I say this while Ryan, lost in his own music, pulls up at the school parking lot.  I think to myself maybe Willow was right, I mean my choir teacher had moved me up to soprano last year, so she wouldn't mind letting me practice with them.  Its not like I would perform with them, plus it does seem like she likes me.  

"Oh, screw it!  I'll talk to her!"  I said triumphantly.  

Willow giggled. "Yay!"

"I mean I'm one of the students she actually likes right?"

Well, I was about to figure that out, nerves and desperation making it hard to walk towards the music room.  Here we go, I thought.