«not edited»
hoppípolla (v.) jumping in puddles —
[origin : icelandic]
I woke up fresh and got ready for my classes and the day beyond that. I was on FaceTime with Serena last night up until one fifteen am and after that, I couldn't fall asleep. Thanks insomnia. I took a quick shower and threw on a thin pair of joggers, a tank top, and pulled my hair into a high pony.
Grabbing my phone from the charger, I made my way downstairs, just to find dad had already left home. He left a note again,
Adrianna,
i had to early to deal with some business. make sure you eat and drink something. have a lovely day at school and text or call me if anything. i might not be home until the late hours, so don't wait up for me. don't forget your instrument !
love, dad xo
Wait what? My instrument? Oh shiitake! I completely forgot I had orchestra today and for first block too! I jogged up to my room and got my violin from my closet and went back downstairs to the kitchen. 7:17, is what the clock read. Perfect, I have time for a small breakfast. As I prepared a Nutella sandwich, I wondered what the orchestra here would be like. Back in California, I was first chair and concert mistress and our orchestra played classical music. Classical meaning sonatas, concertos, ensembles, and those types. We played Bach, Vivaldi, Beethoven, Tchaikovsky, and music from composers like them. I vividly remember last year's concert. We put together Sibelius, and I had the solo.
Driving to school, I got lost in my thoughts. God, I hope I don't have every class with Phoenix. Yesterday, we were literally only we're apart for first block. He's such a brooding asshole! Parking in the senior lot and grabbing my bag and duffle, I made my way to the front doors. Everyone was crowded outside.
"Adrianna!" My head turned and I caught sight of the group. Judah had called out my name and I made my way towards them.
"Hey guys!" Pyper hugged me and the guys pulled me in for a hug. Except Phoenix. Not that I care. He had Infinity under his arm and while she was talking animatedly about god knows what, he was staring off in the distance. Okay then.
"Bestfriend!" Blake screamed, personally pulling me in for warm hug.
"Bestfriend!" I scream back, looking up at him and laughing.
———
I walked to the orchestra room, clearly remembering the directions from yesterday, and there were about seventy other people in here. Well shit. Pyper and Talon were also here and everyone was either sitting with their instruments in their positions or they were unpacking. I went into a corner, unpacked, and tuned my instrument before walking to the front center of the room where our teacher/conductor was. She looked to be in her early twenties. When I reached her stand, she was reading off music from a Suzuki book.
"Hi!" I smiled brightly. She looked over to me and smiled back.
"Hello! Ms. Adrianna Vaseliev?"
"Yes! That's me!"
"I'm Ms. Alana Rose, the orchestra conductor, and I have no doubt you'll love it here! But tell me about yourself, give me something about where you were in your old orchestra."
I chose my words wisely before speaking, for saying something could easily screw my potential position right now.
"In my old orchestra, I used to be first chair, concert mistress, and we played classical. Sonatas, concertos, and complete movements. We did throw in a few pop culture pieces, but focused mainly on classical from some of the best composers in music history. One of my greatest accomplishments were taking on the solo for Jean Sibelius in D Minor, Op. 47."
Saying she looked shocked was an understatement. She looked shocked beyond belief.
"Y-you played the famous Sibelius solo?" She sputtered.
"Fifteen pages, hella hours practicing and it all worked out," I replied, shaking my head happily, "We actually pulled it off in twenty five minutes instead of a whole thirty seven minutes because my old conductor taught us the piece faster."
"That's amazing! So, you've played music from Bach, Beethoven, Vivaldi, and all those?"
"Yes, I have and I'm actually practicing Allegro Molto at home. Just because."
"That's lovely, Adrianna. Why don't you take a seat right here, next to first seat in the first violins and as we play, I'll give you some playing exams and we'll see where you place yourself. Because in this class, where you are is all on you. How you play and perform. You decide where you go," she told me, smiling. I turned to take a seat and realized the whole orchestra was silent and watching me, some guys were smirking and everyone just looked kind of surprised. Ms. Rose turned her attention to everyone and began her little lecture.
"Morning guys! This is your last and final year and we will make it the very best. Remember the policy, when we have class or lessons, bring your instrument in here that morning so you don't have to carry it around, save for the cello and basses. I expect all instruments to go home everyday and for you all to be practicing the music. Lesson schedules will come out next week or so. And remember, any damage you do to a school instrument, it's on you. But most of you have your own instruments, so I'm not worried.
"We also will do the field trip to New York this year, for anyone interested in doing NYSSMA. If you want to look into it, come by later and we'll discuss. Now, for the music," she clapped her hands together and rummaged a bit through the pile of papers on her stand and on the counter behind her. NYSSMA. I've always wanted to do it ever since Carter told me about it a few years ago. I looked around the orchestra and saw Pyper and Talon were both in first violins. When I turned back around, Ms. Rose was still grabbing sheets and sheets of music and then a few seconds later, she turned around smirking.
"Who's first violin," came out my mouth before I had a chance to think.
Ms. Rose narrowed her eyes, glaring at the chair, "You'll find out in time, if they decide to show the hell up.
"What do you guys think about giving Adrianna her first playing exam?" She diverted. My eyes bulged and the whole room erupted in "hell yeahs" and "yes'." Golden kill myself moment.
"Um, what?" I wasn't worried or nervous, I just hadn't expect that.
"Your first playing exam at Paradise Creek! I'll ask you to play a few scales, and then sight read a piece of music." I nod my head slightly and nonchalantly say okay.
"G Scale, two octaves." I played.
"D Scale, two octaves." I played.
"G Major Scale." I played.
"B Flat Major Scale." I played.
"A Minor Arpeggio, three octaves." I played. This was light, I had learned these in private lessons during fourth grade.
The room was silent as Ms. Rose found music for me to sight read and play. A minute later, she placed something on my stand. Moonlight Sonata. You have got to be freaking kidding me! I learned how to play this in fifth grade!
"I know this piece and I can literally play it off the top of my head," I said flatly. We went through this about seven more times before she finally placed on my stand that I hadn't yet seen. Overtures! Famous Overtures. I took one glance.
"You have thirty seconds to sight read, and once it's over, you're playing."
"I don't need the thirty seconds, I'm ready," I said blankly, looking at her.
She raised an eyebrow and I shrugged, not even sparing the music a second glance. I got into playing position and started. Getting lost in the music was why I played so good. Closing my eyes and relishing in the music, feeling every note as I played. Once I finished, I opened my eyes and all eyes were on me and I wasn't exactly sure how I felt.
"Adrianna, you're an amazing player! So, this point forward you'll have this chair and you'll basically be in competition with first violin. Seeing you guys play together will help me with concert positions and rehearsal positions," Ms. Rose told me and I nodded my head in acknowledgement. She turned back around to the counter.
"Okay guys, I have selected a few pieces for our upcoming concert. I'll pass them around each section and then I'd like to hear your thoughts."
The first piece that was passed out was a concerto composed by Beethoven. D Major, Op. 61. Oh my god! I've listened to this millions and millions of times before. I think I even have this as a vinyl. It's pretty long and there is a soloist along with a first violin solo. The next piece was composed by Edvard Grieg. Peer Gynt Suite No. 1, Op. 46 - 1. Morning Mood. I love this one! I grew up listening to this one and dad would always put this on for me when he would put me to bed. I think I have this in vinyl too. Ms. Rose has reaaally good taste. The last piece however, my breath got caught in my throat. Beethoven's Bagatelle in A Minor, WoO 59, Für Elise. I most definitely have this one in vinyl.
The room filled with lively talks about the music and everyone genuinely happy with the choices. I started bowing some of the notes for the Grieg piece for I had played it before. The room before me quieted and they all watched me intently. You're going to be famous one day baby. You're special you know. You show much love and appreciation to the arts. Never forget who you are, mom's voice rang in my head and I smiled all through playing the first page of the piece. The suite was more of a romantic suite, but not all could tell the difference. Sadly. I've thought about it often, if only more people would support the arts and appreciate it.
Ms. Rose surprised me by turning the page for me to continue on and I couldn't help but smile again. Once I had finished, the room stomped their feet as a way of an applause for they all had their instruments in hand.
"Damn it all the way to hell, are you offering practice sessions? Because I will gladly take it!" A guy in the first violin section yelled out, causing all of us to burst out laughing. Even after I calmed down, the smile wouldn't falter on my face. Sometime back in freshman year, I did hold practice sessions, to some degree. Adrian had taken off for first semester in freshman year and when he returned, he couldn't continue orchestra unless he had someone to teach him all he missed. And Serena being in band, I offered to be his conductor. Those days. I'd make him stay up till three am and all. We'd start practicing at five in the afternoon and wouldn't stop till early hours of the morning. You can say I'm a musician aficionado.
Laughing lightly, I slightly turn around and reply, and then focus my attention back to Ms. Rose who had just cleared her throat. But before she could say what she wanted, another throat was cleared behind me. And above?
"The hell is she doing here?" Phoenix sneered. His knuckles were turning unbelievably white, but it was barely visible because they were all covered in ink.
"I happen to be your damned competition," I snarled back, standing my ground.
"Worthington, lovely for you to join us. Adrianna and you will be playing for first chair, mistress or master, and the unaccompanied parts," Ms. Rose grounded and I could've sworn, Phoenix was fuming. I rolled my eyes at his arrogant attitude, slightly moving to the side for him to get to his chair. This is going to be one hell of a year, I thought. And our ensemble began.
———
"That's fourth finger on E or second finger, third position on E, smart ass!" I nearly scream in frustration at Phoenix's incompetence. He just smirked. Of course this asshole was just trying to set me off! By the end of this class, there was no question on the fact that Phoenix was beyond surprised with my abilities as a musician. Whether it was the general music or actually playing. Orchestra was ending in seven minutes, which left everyone with time to pack their instruments and then wait by the door to leave. Or whoever was left since some went by the seven period schedule.
Pyper and Talon met me by the door after they packed their violins and they nearly praised me.
"Creative Writing Class!" Pyper exclaimed out of nowhere.
"Huh?"
"We have Creative Writing Class next," Pyper smiled and the bell rang.
———
+via tumblr
"forget me. forget the color of my eyes and the feel of my skin. the way my hair looks in the sunlight. the way i cough and choke a bit when i laugh, who has had one too many cigarettes. forget the sound of my voice. forget how shy i get when meeting new people, and my reluctance for trying new things, in fear that i will make a fool of myself. please just forget me. let the memories of me fade out like a dated photograph. let my image crumble and deteriorate into nothing. please just forget me, for it will make this easier on me."
«author's note»
hey hey guys ¡¡¡
adding note some other time,,,
as always,
comment + vote
i love you all 🍃🏹❤️