I stared at the sheet music, trying to parse the song together, but in what felt like seconds it was my turn to perform. I knew females were supposed to live for this, exhibiting before others and most spent their whole lives training for it, but asking us to perform on such short notice was still absurd. What would have been wrong with telling us on Monday? With a heavy sigh, I stood on shaking legs and walked up to the stage. I still had no idea what this song was supposed to sound like.
"Do your best!" Lady Brook said. Her smile carried a mocking glint. When I saw this I realized why she offered to help me; she wanted me to fail more spectacularly.
Hiding a grimace, I watched with a dry throat as she sat behind the piano. My heart pounded in my chest. I disliked these other participants and I knew they disliked me. I didn't want to expose myself to their ridicule by not even being able to hum a few bars, although I knew I didn't have another choice.
