Apple Blossoms

Apple Blossoms

“Third place goes to Kara Johnson!”  A tall girl with green highlights in her black hair scurried up to the stage. She accepted the trophy from one of the ladies who had been setting up the stage. Then she stayed up there and smiled widely for a camera.

“Second place goes to Noelle Fink!” For a second, I was stunned and stayed glued to my seat. Then I felt Nathan pushing me up and towards the stage. I gravitated up the stairs and walked in a daze to the lady and received my trophy from her. Then I shook hands with the judges and walked to the middle of the stage and half-smiled for a photo. I could barely believe it. One part of me was happy that I had won second out of 212 contestants. The other part was scared that Dad was going to be very mad with me.

I came down from the stage and sat next to Nathan again. I stayed very quiet and listened for who won first place.

“And first place goes to Kyle Long! Congratulations to everyone today.” A tall Chinese boy walked up on the stage and received his trophy. The announcer kept talking. “You all were amazing. Keep playing your music for the world.”

After the first place winner got off the stage, everyone got up to leave. Ms. Raven came to congratulate me on winning second.

“You did wonderful, Noelle. I’ll have your score next Saturday when you come. Congratulations!”

I nodded and smiled slightly. Then I kept walking straight not looking at Dad. I was sure that his face showed anger. I got into the back of the car. Nathan and Nicole were in the middle. Mom and Dad were in the front.

I could see Dad’s face in the rear view mirror which was devoid of emotion. Maybe that was a good thing? I couldn’t be sure.

“Congratulations, Noelle,” Mom said breaking the silence.

“Thanks, Mom,” I answered trying to sound happy.

After that, we were silent until we reached home. I was the first one out of the car and into the house. Dad followed right after me and when I looked at his face this time, it was red with anger.

“I TOLD YOU TO WIN FIRST PLACE!” he bellowed. My jaw dropped open and I didn’t know how to respond. “You can never do what I ask you to! Why can’t you be more like Nicole? She always does what I ask her to. If I tell her to win first place, she goes and wins first place. If I tell her to do the worst job she’s ever done at a performance, she’ll go and do the worst job she’s ever done. But you?! You just live in your own world and do your own thing! Is there no reason to listen to your father who just wants the best for you?”

“The best for me?!” I yelled back my anger breaking through. “You don’t want the best for me! You just want me to be as perfect as Nicole. Well guess what. I’m not Nicole nor will I ever be like her. I just want to be myself and do my own thing. But you will never let me do that and I understand that. So I tried to make you proud. So what if I came up short by one place? At least I won second place instead of first. I don’t understand why you’re making such a big deal out of this.” I was in tears by now but Dad didn’t seem to care,

“I’m making a big deal out of this because you didn’t win first place! Second place is the first one to lose. I don’t like losers in my house. You can’t do anything right! You’re just an idiot who somehow ended up in my household. I can’t stand you!”

“Neil!” my mother spoke up. “I agree with Noelle. You are making too big of a deal out of this. You need to control yourself. Don’t say things you don’t mean.”

“Nadine!” Dad scolded her in disbelief. “You’re happy with a second place daughter? I mean everything I am saying right now. She isn’t going to amount to anything in life.”