Page 2 of Harmonizing Hearts

Gloria crosses her hands in front of her. “Darkest Symphony, what an interesting name. How did you come up with it?”

“Jillian, my favorite second voice,” I turn to Jillian and wink at her, “once said we all have a background and no matter how dark it was, we’ve found each other to create a perfect and balanced symphony and it popped up.”

“That’s kinda sweet.” Angel Montgomery looks at us, “You’re playing together for eight years now, isn’t it?”How does she know?

“Almost nine, ma’am.” I proudly smile. “They’re my family.”

“Highs and laws, love and war between siblings. That’s always something I adore.” She nods while flipping the pen over her fingers. “That says a lot.”

“You’ve always been a softie,” Synder teases Angel.

“Excuse me?” She turns toward him. “A family bond is stronger than your cold heart may ever understand and if that makes me a softie, then that’s okay.”

“Damn, Angel, your claws are pretty sharp today.” He keeps poking her.

Angel waves her hand to dissipate his words. “Can we go on?”

Synder is about to say something but holds back. The grip on his pen says more than his words do. I guess the two of them are not getting along and Angel having the last word annoys him. I like her.

“So far we chose the songs for you to play.” William Foster talks now, trying to get back to the reason we’re here. “Tonight I want you to play your best song we haven’t heard yet.”

Looking at the guys, I mutter our last song’s title. I love it and it’s exactly the best way for all of us to be heard. When the band starts to play, the first lyrics leave my mouth and I erase all the stress right away. Music has become my secret den. A refuge to escape reality. When Mac realized I love music, he made sure I started studying it. It’s not as easy as it may seem, especially when you’re not young. But during some classes I’ve met Charlie, our guitarist and Liam, the bassist’s king. The three of us bond instantly and the rest is story. Mac always used to say in the tough times you may find the light in someone you don’t know. And he is right. The drum beat leads me back to our performance while I smile and open my eyes.

Synder is the only one who pays attention to us and my heart sinks as he raises his hand forty seconds into the song. “I’ve heard enough, the auto-tune is too much; that covers everything.” The boo raises from the public.

“With all due respect, sir…” I begin but he closes our folder which means we’re not enough for him.

“They’re not using it.” Angel snaps. The public applauds and somehow it makes it less bitter. I thought no one was paying attention to our performance but it seems I was wrong.

“Of course they do.” He scoffs, looking at her. It seems the others have moved back and there are just the two of them in here.

“Are you for real, Robert?” Her voice reaches a higher pitch. “I’m not sure what game you are playing right now but you’re so wrong and make a fool of yourself.”

I drop the mic on the ground, stopping their argument. The buzz makes me cringe but I hate when someone thinks I’m using auto-tune. Not that I have something against who uses it, but it took me years of classes to have my intonation and no one can say otherwise. Nodding at the guys, they start playing and I carry my performance without the microphone. When the chorus hits the higher level and Jill joins me, I let my heart out, pouring all my anger into it. My eyes are focused on Synder even though in the corner of my eyes I can see all of them. Acting on impulse is not a wise thing especially in these moments but I couldn’t help myself.

When the song is over, I catch my breath and take up the microphone praying someone may say something but no one dares to.

The silence is defeating.

I fucked up big time.

It’s over.

“Apologize!” Angel says without even looking at Synder while writing something down.

He tsks and turns his chair toward her. “For what? Having an opinion?”

Angel closes the folder, hands one to William and gets up. “For being a dickhead!” The gasps in the public can be heard out loud. I’ve heard she speaks her mind no matter what and it’s intimidating to see her in action.

“That’s unbelievable.” He growls. “Okay, I was wrong but still it’s a no for me.”

“Now,that’syour opinion.” She peers at us while my heart slows its beats.

The seconds seem longer than I remember, and I’m silently blaming myself for having ruined a golden opportunity.

“I want to ask the production to remove you from the candidates,” Angel carries on.

“Nooo,” the echo from the public sinks deep into my heart.

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