Striking Keys: Rock Chic
By Mia Echo
()
About this ebook
I've spent my entire life trying to avoid the spotlight. When my best friend presents me with an opportunity to do what I love, I can't turn down the chance of playing keyboard in a rock band.
The pressures of being in the spotlight are foreign and overwhelming, but I try my best to focus on the music. Some days are harder than others. Having my own personal body guard has helped, except the fact that he is my high school crush.
Not that he would ever notice me in that way.
What would happen if he did notice me? ...or worse, someone else?
Can my heart handle seeing him with someone else?
And how will the world take the news?
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Striking Keys - Mia Echo
Prologue
Maddy
Today has been so much fun! I know most kids don’t enjoy recitals or music competitions but I live for them. Most of these competitions are formal and minimal. I get to play my piece in a quiet room with just a few judges.
As much as I enjoy sharing my music, I don’t like a lot of eyes on me.
Mr. and Mrs. Monroe! Please, wait,
I hear one of the elementary school’s chorus teachers yelling as we are leaving.
My mom puts her hand on my shoulder protectively as my dad turns to see what the teacher wants. Uh, how can we help you, Miss-
Miss Summers, and I’m so sorry to bother you, but I’m really hoping you can help us out.
Help? How can we help you?
my mom asks.
Lifting her arm, I see a brace on her hand. I was in an accident earlier this week which left me unable to play the piano for the kids in choir. I hired someone to fill in but they were a no show.
I’m sorry to hear that, but what does that have to do with us?
my dad asks with a confused expression.
Several students rush past us in a hurry to get to their assigned rooms for their performances.
Without a pianist, none of the second grade solos or ensembles will be able to perform. I was hoping that maybe Maddison would be willing to help us out,
she smiles at me as she says the last part.
Me?
I ask, surprised. I’ve never heard of anyone asking an eight-year-old to do something like this.
But, she doesn’t know the music,
my father counters.
I’ve seen her play. I’m confident that she will be able to pick it up easily, plus she will be allowed to read the sheet music as she plays. It’s the vocals that are going to be judged, not the instrumental.
How many would she have to play?
my mom asks while trying to keep me from bouncing up and down with excitement.
Four songs,
Miss Summers says with a hopeful expression.
I tug on my mom’s sleeve until she leans down to talk to me, Please, Momma, I want to do it.
Are you sure, sweetheart? It’s a big responsibility.
I can do it, Momma. I know I can,
I insist.
She smiles at me before addressing Miss Summers again, Well, it looks like you’ve got yourself a pianist.
The rest of the day, I feel like a real life superhero. I get to be on the sidelines, playing beautiful music while helping the other kids.
One boy starts singing, but his deep voice doesn’t match the octave that the sheet music wants me to play. Instinctively, I lower the octave and he instantly looks more comfortable.
By the end of the day, I skip out of the school, on cloud nine with excitement and a feeling of accomplishment.
I’m proud of you, sweetheart. You did a wonderful job,
my mom praises as I get in the car to head home.
While other kids are outside playing or riding their bikes, I go to piano lessons or simply practice at home on our old hand-me-down upright. Music makes me smile and when I play and make my own music, it makes my heart smile. My parents always say that ‘you should do what makes your heart smile, because that is what makes the world a special place.’
My heart pounds as I fold each item of clothing with care. I don’t know what all I’ll need but I don’t want to miss anything. If I’m on the road and can’t find my favorite t-shirt, I don’t want to have to worry about where I left it or if it’s stashed somewhere in some storage bin. Something so trivial may seem like a waste of time to most, but it’s important to me.
When my best friend, La, convinced me to join a rock band with her, I never thought we’d find the kind of success that we have. As a very introverted person, I struggled with making new friends and putting myself out there, but La always knew how to get me out of my shell. We’ve been friends since we were children and despite being separated for years when she had to move away, we always managed to stay close.
I learned how to play piano at a young age and it quickly became my passion. College was of little appeal to me, but I attended out of obligation. The band gave me not only a way out of classes I hated, but it also gave me an opportunity to do the one thing I love. ‘Rock Chic’ became a huge success almost overnight. It was a lot of hard work and long nights, but it has all paid off and tomorrow we leave to go on tour to play for sold out venues.
La, who are all those people outside?
I ask as I zip my suitcase.
Huh? Oh, that’s the new security team,
La answers as if it’s no big deal.
Security?
Yeah. Maddy, we’ve hit it big. We can’t be too careful.
I mean...I guess I understand, but will they always be with us?
I ask, concerned about being around even more people that I don’t know.
Hey, deep breath. This is gonna be awesome!
La says cheerily. Come on, why don’t we go meet the guys? Maybe then you’ll feel better about them being around.
Chewing on my lip, I think about her suggestion. Yeah, ok.
La throws an arm around my shoulder as we walk outside and toward the group of men who would become our bodyguards. Some of the other band members were already talking with the men and getting to know them. They seemed to be comfortable enough around them. It took me a while to get to know these girls but through our time together, I’ve come to trust them. So if they aren’t concerned or upset about their presence then I