Eternal Heat (Firework Girls #3) by J. L. White

to try to be a concert pianist, and attending Juilliard would be a dream come true, but after looking at the list of requirements, I’m feeling doubtful about my chances.
    For starters, there’s the audition tape. I have to play a selection of three pretty advanced pieces for a minimum of 45 minutes, by memory. One has to be an etude by Chopin, one from a list of sonatas by the likes of Mozart and Schubert, and the last by a “substantial composition” from a short list of classical composers. Though the thought of playing these for a Juilliard admissions board is more than intimidating, I already have enough pieces memorized to fulfill two of the three requirements.
    It does not escape my notice that the piece Erik selected for me for Music Fest is one of them.
    I’d only have to learn and memorize one more, which is a good thing since the deadline is only three and a half weeks away.
    If that’s all I had to do, it wouldn’t be so bad, I guess. But there’s this whole other list of requirements and one in particular is tripping me up: the artistic letter of recommendation. This is supposed to be from a teacher or coach who can speak to my musical abilities, discipline, and leadership. God, the whole thing just makes me feel ridiculous.
    Erik’s been trying to convince me to apply anyway. “You just write your essay explaining the situation so when they get your letters of recommendation, they can take that into consideration.”
    “Who’s going to recommend me?” I don’t think a letter from Erik is going to sway the admissions board.
    Erik takes a deep breath. “Okay, listen. I’ve been telling Mr. Lamont about you and he’s agreed to give you lessons.”
    “Erik, my parents can’t afford—”
    “He knows and he’s not going to charge you.”
    “What?” As much as I’ve always wanted lessons, I don’t think I like this. I don’t want to be somebody’s charity case. It must be written all over my face because Erik presses ahead, trying to reassure me.
    “He wants to. He’s been begging me to bring you in for a while now, but I knew you’d never agree so I didn’t even bring it up. After he saw you play at Music Fest though...” Erik grins.
    I’m softening in spite of myself.
    “He said either I can bring you in or he’ll show up here and wait for you.”
    My eyes widen and he shrugs.
    “I don’t think he’d actually stalk you, but he really wants to work with you before you go off to college. It wouldn’t be for that long. He said he wants to talk to you first, but he’d probably be willing to write you a letter of recommendation.”
    I look over the list of requirements again. “I don’t know. I think they’re looking for people with more experience.”
    “You have it.”
    “I don’t think one performance is quite what they have in mind.”
    “You won honorable mention in the highest level right out of the gate. Come on, you have to know how impressive that is. I say we frame you as a prodigy and let your audition do the rest.”
    Okay, that’s what worries me. I’m willing to admit I have some natural talent, but we can’t go overboard with the whole prodigy thing. Talented or not, there’s no getting around the fact that I’m starting late and there’s plenty, plenty of people in front of me.
    I take a deep breath and look Erik right in the eyes. I’m calm, and firm. “Juilliard is the best school in the country. People like you from all over are going to be trying to get in. Only the best of the best are going to make that cut, Erik. They’d be stupid not to take you. You blew everyone out of the water on Saturday. But I’m not even the best of the best here in Boise. I’m sorry, but I don’t stand a chance. I think I need to stick with BSU.”
    I’ve already been looking at colleges that might have music programs I can get into. I need to stay in state, to keep tuition low. That means Boise State. I have so much catching up to do, it’s probably just as