Chapter 12: DEMONS

Autumn's POV

It was Thursday morning and I was sitting in the auditorium, my cello beside me in its hard case. I was beside Hunter and Aria and silently freaking out. It was my first performance at Rockbourne and I was scared that I might mess up. It was just before 9:00 so our teacher wasn't even here yet.

Hunter was checking the tuning on his guitar while Aria was doing the same for her violin. And I quickly realise I should too. I quickly get the cello out of the case and quickly check the strings. There is only slight adjustments need, nothing major, so it's not before long I'm back to panicking.

At 9:05, Mr Larkin walks in, carrying a register and mug of coffee. He looked excited. Elated even. I wish I had that enthusiasm. But number one it was too early. And Number two I was too nervous.

Pull yourself together, Autumn. You've done this hundreds of times. This is no different.

But in a way it was. Virginia felt different to the other places I've lived. It may just be the people or the circumstance but it feels different. Like a new start even.

Mr Larkin sits down at the desk in the middle of the audience chairs and sets up his registration and mark books. He takes a sip of coffee before talking.

"We'll be going in alphabetical order today," He says loudly, so everyone can hear him. "Hunter, you're first. Please state you name and piece when you get up there please. Thank you."

That means I'm last. Great, my nerves are going to have to survive that long without completely making me freak out. I watch as Hunter makes his way up onto the stage his guitar in his right hand. As soon as he gets up onto the stage he sets up the microphone stand to his height and pulls the guitar strap over his shoulder.

"I'm Hunter Adams and I'll be playing In Dreams by Bed Howard," He says.

"Okay when you're ready," Mr Larkin says.

With that Hunter takes a deep breath and starts to play a quick but mellow plucking pattern. But its when he starts to sing. I'm blown away.

'Always a riddle in the world she says
Always a riddle inside my head
Always a thing to wonder the way we come to be
Oh it's a big old place for me, it's a big old world indeed
Everyone is killing me and everything conspires.'

I watch him in shock and awe. His voice is husky and soft. But its powerful. He sings the notes with ease and plays the guitar with precision. I listen intently to the rest of the lyrics.

'Oh in dreams I have watched it spin
See a violent crack of atoms were all that comes in
Oh in dreams I have lain in sin
Just to be the cracked and the cared for

How can I ask, ask for more?

Always a riddle in the world she says
Always a riddle inside my head
Always a thing to wonder in the way come to be
Oh it's a big old world for me
It's a big old world indeed
Kicking my heels and wondering how I've been here so long

Oh in dreams I have watched it spin
See a violent crack of atoms were all that comes in
Oh in dreams I saw Aesop's kin
Just a carcass of a man, I belong inside his skin
Mmmm mmmmm mmmm

Where to, where to begin?

I live alone now, I live alone in life without you here
I may be troubled but I'm gracious in defeat
Oh I may be troubled but I'm gracious in defeat'

When he finishes the class gives him a round of applause including Mr Larkin.

"Thank you, Hunter," Mr Larkin says. "Next please."

The next person goes to the stage and Hunter returns to his seat beside me.

"Hunter that was amazing. Well done," I whisper as the next person sets themselves up.

He smiles that adorable smile of his and says, "Thank you. And stop panicking. I saw you tuning your cello. Even then I could tell you had a sort of delicateness with it."

I gape at him in shock.

"Also you're kind of shaking," He says. "Calm down a bit."

I smile weakly and clench my fists to stop the shaking.

No pressure then.

The other performances go relatively quick, the songs performed ranging from Taylor Swift to Wicked. Classical to rock. Demi Lovato to Ed Sheeran. Imagine Dragons hadn't been done yet. Thank goodness.

It wasn't before long that it was Aria's turn. She got up gracefully and confidently, violin and bow in hand. She set herself up and then asked a boy called Michael to play her backing track. She stepped up to the microphone and said, "Aria Roberts and I will be playing He's a Pirate from Disney's Pirates of the Caribbean."

She gave a quick nod to Michael who was back stage and then started playing. She started reasonably fast and loud but then went quieter. She was talented. Going up and down the positions with ease. Her fingers moved quickly and she swelled at certain points and quietened at others. She was talented. Her technique was practically flawless.

I was doomed. I knew I was. I was two people after her. I felt my stomach twist further.

"You'll be fine," Hunter whispered.

When Aria finished she got the same reaction as Hunter and she returned to her seat quickly afterwards.

"Well done," I whispered.

My performance came too quickly after that.

I sit down on the stool and position the cello. I quickly adjust the microphone and say, "Autumn Wood and I will be playing Demons by Imagine Dragons."

"When you're ready Autumn," Mr Larkin says.

I nod and take a deep breath. I place my fingers on the neck of the cello and play the first note holding it. I start to sing.

'When the days are cold
And the cards all fold
And the saints we see
Are all made of gold
When your dreams all fail
And the ones we hail
Are the worst of all
And the blood's run stale.'

I start to feel more confident as I go into the link and change the notes into arpeggios. I lose myself in the song and by the time I reach the chorus it's like I'm just playing in my bedroom without a care in the world.

I lose myself even further and the cello becomes an extension of my body. My voice becomes louder and more confident and as I hit the bridge I put everything I have into it.

'They say it's what you make
I say it's up to fate
It's woven in my soul
I need to let you go
Your eyes, they shine so bright
I wanna save that light
I can't escape this now
Unless you show me how'

I keep the pace up the whole way to chorus and keep the loudness of the cello and my voice in the song.

'When you feel my heat
Look into my eyes
It's where my demons hide
It's where my demons hide
Don't get too close
It's dark inside
It's where my demons hide
It's where my demons hide'

I finish with a crescendo and I look out over the class. Hunter has a shocked expression on his face. Aria's mouth is hanging open. I can't make heads or tails of Mr Larkin's expression.

Crap. I've messed up.

But the class surprises me.

Mr Larkin stands up and starts clapping and the rest of the class follows suit. Wait...? A standing ovation!? That's new. When the clapping fade Mr Larkin remains standing.

"Autumn, that was a beautiful performance. Why that song?"

"Uh…" I stumble over the words until I find the perfect ones to respond. "It describes the past few months for me. With the moving around and my parents dying. I relate to it."

He nods and then gestures to me return to my seat. I do and when I sit back down Hunter whispers into my ear.

"Well done. I knew you were going to be good but I didn't realise it was going to be that good. You keep surprising me, Autumn. I like it."

I smile at him and one thought crosses my mind. Maybe I would fit in here. Maybe this was going to be different.

It felt strange.

For the first time in my life, I belonged.