--Part III--

--Part III--

After Dad left, I buried my head in my hands, gripping my hair at the roots. I let out a small scream before I felt the wall of tears threatening to pour over. I wouldn't let myself cry over this. There was plenty of things to cry about, but this was not one. I just didn't understand how they could say no so easily. Mom is too busy with work, and dad… well I don't know what he ever does. Sometimes he's here, sometimes he just has better things to deal with than care about his daughter. But what else is news to me? What else do they have to support their opinion? Have they even talked to each other about it?

Sighing, I took out my phone and called Libby.

"Hey Lina, what's wrong?" I smiled smally, Libby knew me too well. Probably more than anyone else I have ever known.

"What makes you think there's something wrong?" I tried to sound strong, but we both knew otherwise.

I could almost see Libby's understanding smile. "Lina, I've known you for seven years, and we've been friends for four years. And I just know everything."

I felt a small laugh come from my lips, but the noise was almost a sob. "Libby, they said no. NO! How could they say that?"

Libby sighed sadly, "What happened?" her voice was soft, almost as if she talked differently she was afraid of upsetting me.

"I told my mom and she was all 'you know you can't.' She told me I can't sing or perform or even have the guts to sing in front of that many people." My voice was no longer filled with anger, but desperation and wonder.

"She shouldn't have said that, Lina, you know that right?" she said.

"Is she right?" I asked her, cautious of her answer.

There was a silence for a second, but her answer was a clear, "No, she's not right. I know for a fact that you have an amazing voice and you can absolutely perform. Don't listen to anyone. Just do what you want to do. Lina, this could be the only chance you get to show people that you're not just looks. You have the brains and the talent to change the world. You can be a famous singer, or end world hunger, or even make world peace! And you know why? Because, Lina, you are you, and no one can change that. No one can change how you think or feel and not a soul can tell you what to do or how good you are at anything. So on Friday, June 20th—exactly three months from now—you are going to get on that stage and sing you heart out!!" Libby reassured me, her voice not showing any reason to doubt her.

I was silent for a minute, taking in what she had said. "You're right, Libby. I will!!" I said as a smile spread on my face.

"Thata girl!" she laughed, a smile apparent by her voice. "Hey, we're going shopping tomorrow."

That sounded more like a statement than a suggestion. "Sure. I want to see what they have at the Vans store…"

"Sure. I'm gonna call Kelly and tell her to come with, alright?"

"Yep." I thought for a second. "and Libby?"

"Yeah?" she sounded curious again. Man, she loved listening to my problems.

"Thank you. For everything. You really are a true friend." My words were true, and I only hoped that she knew the meaning behind them.