Symphony || Byler

Chapter 11

"I'm sorry, Mrs. K. I was out of li-"

"Listen, Mike." She cut me off as her face slowly became more serious. "Band has a lot of room to grow...and I still have a lot to learn as a conductor and teacher...but what you said was inappropriate. It doesn't matter what our relationship is."

I felt my heart drop even further. I'm a douchebag. Just like Will said. "I'm sorry"

"I know this has been overwhelming for you. I probably shouldn't have extended my hand for you to join this class compared to what you're used to."

I couldn't help but feel bad...but I might as well get the truth out now that the wound is there. "Well...I thought it would be fun. To be in a smaller lower stakes band. Instead I just feel..."

"Out of place?" My mother's eyes didn't show the emotion I expected. It wasn't anger. It was...sympathy?

"Yeah...I don't belong here. In class, I keep thinking...what am I even doing here? How did this happen?" I brought my hands up to my face to sigh into them. "I should be at Procardi right now, playing with like minded people...rehearsing to be in any of the section's ensemble...."

"Mike..." She tried to pull my hands away from my face as delicately as she could. "Anything is better than suffering at that overpriced private school. You were miserable."

"It doesn't matter, Mom." I sighed while moving my hands to the side of my body to properly look at her. "I'll be stressed no matter where I am. I didn't know how good I had it there. I miss Procardi and feel like I'm wasting my time here."

Mrs. K sighed as she closed her eyes for a long period of time to then look up into the fluorescent lights. "But at the end of the day... wouldn't you rather be in any band than no band at all?" She slowly reached for my hand "Even a band like mine?"

Before I could even answer, the bell rang and the students were filling the halls.

She quickly let go of my hand and shook her head. "Next time you have feedback though, save it for after class."

I quickly nodded in response. "Understood"

Mrs. K leaned her head to look behind me with a wide smile. "Looks like your new student is punctual"

I slowly turned to see Will basically shaking with nerves. Why was he so anxious? I'm not that bad...I think.

"Good luck! See you later!" Mrs. K waved and walked back into her classroom.

"Um...is tutoring still on for today?" Will grabbed onto his instrument case even tighter.

"Oh. Uh....yeah. You only need your mouthpiece today."

-Will's perspective-

As he walked in front of me, I couldn't help but feel nervous. He had just gotten chewed out by Mrs. K. He's probably going to chew me out in return. It's to be expected.

   He slowly opened the door to the storage room and held it open for me to walk in before him. I awkwardly stepped in and walked over to the corner.