The Geneva Project - Truth (14 page)

Gong

It was time for music rehearsal.  Luckily I was able to get by so far by faking that I was singing.  I stood next to Sparrow, whose sweet voice rang so clear and bright that she would surely drown out my imperfections even if I was singing.  The first time I heard her singing voice up close it took my breath away.  It sounded like bells or what I imagined angels to sound like.  Each note was crisp and effortless.  Her voice rang out like a shiny perfect bell; each note was attached to the next with a fluid quality that couldn’t be taught.  She was naturally gifted with this melody.  I remember thinking if I sounded that good I would sing everything.  I would sing instead of talk, I would never stop. 

Today I took my usual spot next to Sparrow, who was beaming and flipping through the sheet music. 

“
She’s going to assign the solo today.”

“
Oh, you know you’re totally going to get it!  You’re amazing, Sparrow.”

“
Oh, thank you, Tippy.  But will you be okay without me?”

“
Sure, I can fake it pretty well,” I smiled.

Just then Miss Sprigg came into our room and called us all to attention.  She looked all business with her normally unruly mop of brown hair twisted into a neat little bun, high atop her head.  It almost made her look taller.  I bet that was her intention, because her tiny stature was easily lost among some of the taller Johns of our year.  I’ve always liked Miss Sprigg.  She almost reminded me of myself; a quiet outcast even among the Grifts.  She was so short and frail, and all the other Grifts paid no attention to her.  I imagined that I would probably look just like her when I grew up, save for my flaxen hair.  It was a shame that she was our music teacher though, because my lack of musical talent probably ensured my feelings towards her weren’t mutual. 

She’d been teaching us and all the other orphans to sing for as long as I could remember.  She had a decent singing voice and must have had a true passion for music to volunteer to teach our lot.  She had been putting up with the likes of me and some other less-than-talented orphans for a long time.  Each year had one song to learn and perform at the New Year Gala.  After I was able to get my performance done and release all my nervous jitters, I actually looked forward to hearing the other orphans sing.  It was our only chance to hear them sing since each year rehearsed and performed separately.  Last year, Nova’s year sung a beautiful song about the sea.  Its melody was so sad and heart-melting that it brought me to tears.  Of course, Nova was the one singing the solo that year.  He had a voice as perfect as his flawless features. 

I sighed thinking back to his performance.  Was there anything he wasn’t good at?  Miss Sprigg brought me abruptly out of my daydream when she cleared her throat.

“
Everyone, let’s get started.  Johns on the left, Janes on the right.  Today we’re going to be arranging you into sections and I’ll be assigning the solo, so I hope you’ve all been practicing.”

This caused quite a buzz among us.  I heard moans and groans, amongst the other orphans.  Perhaps some of them were dreading this as much as I was, or more likely they were just reluctant to be separated from the comfort of their cliques.  There was actually some clapping and excited laughter and squealing going on, too, though.  I could practically feel Sparrow’s elation about the solo selection as she squeezed my hand and practically danced in place.  I tried to give her a grim look, but her joy was infectious and all I could do was grin back when I looked at her big bright amber eyes that were lit up by her hundred-watt smile. 

“
You’re insane you know that?” I laughed. 

“
I’m so nervous!” she squealed

“
Why?  You’re clearly amazing!  You’re going to get the solo.”

“
I hope so.  Jemma got it last year.”

“
That’s because everyone was always too scared to audition against her.”

“
True.  Maybe I shouldn’t.  She’s been leaving you alone lately, maybe I shouldn’t stir up any trouble.”

“
No!  You’re incredible and you deserve the solo.  I’m sick of Jemma always intimidating everyone.  It’s time everyone hear your voice.”

“
Thanks, Tippy, you’re a great friend.”

“
I know,” I smiled with a little wink.  It felt great to be called a great friend, but only for a second, because it instantly made me think of how I was being far less than a great friend to Remi.

“
What’s wrong?” Sparrow asked.  My face must have given me away, so I quickly put on a smile.

“
Nothing, go get ‘em!” I said.

As usual, Jemma was the first to volunteer to sing the solo.  Her gaggle of henchmaids fawned over her performance, ooo-ing and ahh-ing and giving overly enthusiastic applause.  I rolled my eyes as she bowed.  I couldn’t wait for her to see Sparrow sing.  She probably thought she had this in the bag since no one had ever dared to try out for the solo—for fear of the wrath of Jemma. 

“
Well that was wonderful, 31, just lovely.” Miss Sprigg said.  “Alright, shall we move on to the next part?  Johns, lets…”

“
Uhmmmm!” I cleared my throat and gave Sparrow a shove forward.  I was afraid Miss Sprigg was going to move on without giving her a chance if I didn’t act fast.

“
Yes 42, can I help you?”

Sparrow glared at me.

“
Um, I’d like to try out for the solo, too,” she mumbled quietly.

“
Excuse me dear, speak up.”

“
I’d like to try out for the solo,” she said more clearly this time.

This caught everyone’s attention.  Everyone stopped talking and stared at Sparrow.  Everyone except me.  I had my eyes trained on Jemma.  She was standing there, mouth open, eyes wide with disbelief.  She only lost her composure for a brief moment, but I caught it and it was so gratifying; I can’t even explain it.  The ice queen was shocked!  She quickly narrowed her eyes as if looks could kill, but she covered that up with her sweet-as-poison smile and said,  “Well how sweet, I’ve inspired someone to sing.  Come on 42, let’s hear it.”

This seemed to be what Sparrow needed because she had previously been standing shakily in front of us all, nervously shuffling through her sheet music, shifting her weight anxiously from foot to foot.  But after Jemma’s taunt, she lifted her chin and thrust her music to Miss Sprigg, who seemed to be confused as to what was happening. 

“
Alright 42, please take it from the top.”

Sparrow burst into song.  Her notes were clear and crisp and perfect as I knew they’d be.  She sounded better than I’d ever heard her before, if that were even possible.  Our entire year was spellbound, speechlessly gawking at Sparrow as if they’d never met her before, and I guess they hadn’t, not this Sparrow anyway.  This Sparrow was more confident, more alive, and was absolutely glowing.  I looked over at Journey and he seemed to be as happy as she was.  He gave me a smile and then focused his attention back on Sparrow as she finished up her solo. 

When she ended with her final high note, she took a deep breath and beamed back at all of us.  The mood our room was emoting was complete adoration.  No one knew what to do or say and I could see the look of panic setting into Sparrow’s dainty face. 

“
You did great,”
I telepathed to her. 

“
But no one is saying anything.”

“
You just shocked them is all,”
I said.

I started clapping hysterically to break the silence, just as Jemma’s groupies had, except Sparrow’s applause was deserved.  This seemed to break the trance and everyone else followed suit, clapping and hollering for her.  Even some of Jemma’s clique clapped until they caught sight of Jemma’s seething look.  I couldn’t help but laugh.  Finally someone stood up to her. 

“
That was inconceivable, 42!  Where did you learn to sing like that?” Miss Sprigg asked, wrapping her arm around Sparrow’s shoulders.  Sparrow just shrugged and smiled. 

“
Well, I think we’ve just found our soloist!”

Everyone continued to clap as Sparrow rejoined me.

“
Told you,” I said.

“
Oh, thank you so much for convincing me to do that!”

“
Okay, okay, everyone we really need to get to the rest of our parts, so unless there’s anyone else that has been hiding a voice as pristine as 42’s, let’s move on,” Miss Sprigg said half joking, but then someone else was pushing their way to the front.  I strained to see over the tops of everyone’s heads, but it wasn’t until he emerged in front of us all that I could see who it was.  I drew in a panicked breath.  Remi!  What was he doing?  Was this some sort of stunt to get my attention, to show me that he was worthy of my attention, too?  I had no idea what could have possessed him to stand up in front of our entire year to sing.  He was by far the quietest John in our year, maybe in the whole Troian Center, and I wasn’t even sure if he could sing.  I mean I’m sure he was better than me, but it’s not like he went around humming tunes day in and day out. 

“
Well, 26, let’s hear it,” Miss Sprigg said stepping back looking annoyed to give Remi the floor. 

At first he was completely silent.  I felt every cell of my skin crawling.  It was as if I was up there instead of him.  My palms were sweating and little beads of perspiration were forming on my forehead just as they were on his.  I could hear his heart racing in unison with my own.  I was terrified for him, or maybe with him.  I wished so badly that I could offer him some sort of help, come to his rescue like he did for me with Mr. Greyvin.  All I could do was stand here helplessly and hope that he could pull this off. 

It was silent for so long that some of the other kids started to talk and snicker.  Miss Sprigg shushed them and gestured to Remi to get on with it.  His big brown eyes looked like chocolate saucers as he tried to hide them behind his sheet music, but then something incredible happened.  Sparrow left my side and joined Remi in front of us all.  She grabbed his hand and started singing softly.  Remi eased into the song along with her, lowering his music and looking straight into Sparrows confident eyes.  Their voices swelled and intertwined beautifully with each other, casting a hush over us all as we were once again astonished by their unknown talent.  I caught Journey’s eye, but he only raised his eyebrows questioningly and shrugged. I guess he didn’t know what was going on either. 

When they were finished singing, we all broke into applause again.  This time Jemma didn’t even try to stop her cohorts’ praise for Remi and Sparrow, who were excitedly hugging each other.  After their embrace, they quickly returned to the group, being swallowed up by admirers.  Remi was getting high fives and pats on the back, I even saw someone tussle his mop of dark brown hair.  It was good to see Remi smiling like that, getting praise from our peers.  Sparrow was getting more of the same among the Janes as she pushed through them towards me. 

“
What was that,” I whispered?

“
What do you mean?”

“
Why did you go up there to sing with him?”

“
You asked me, too.”

“
What?”

“
You kept saying ‘help him, help him.’ I thought you were talking to me.”

“
Oh, yeah.”
I said not very convincingly.  Great now I was telepathing accidently?  I had been thinking that I wished I could help Remi, but I thought I was just thinking it to myself.  Well at least this hadn’t backfired like most of my other accidental power tricks.  Sparrow was still looking at me questioningly.  I’m sure I had a perplexed expression on my face so I quickly tried covering it up with a smile.  Luckily, Miss Sprigg saved me by speaking up before Sparrow could question me any further.

“
Well, it appears we’ll be having a duet this year!  I’m excited by all of this new talent!  Now let’s get to work on the rest of this song.”

The rest of the lesson went smoothly.  We practiced our parts without any more interruptions.  The basses, tenors, altos and sopranos; each practicing our parts dutifully.  I was put with the Altos, which at first disappointed me because it meant I wasn’t with Sparrow.  But when Jemma and most of her band of merry henchmaids were sorted into the sopranos, I was actually relieved to not be in their group.  My part was mind-numbingly easy, which was fine with me.  I repeated my words on beat and generally in tune, and was happy when the bell finally chimed, signaling the end of our rehearsal.

“
Great work everyone, please continue to practice.  We only have a few more lessons before the New Year Gala,” Miss Sprigg called after us as we all disassembled. 

I grabbed my journal and retreated to my cot bed to write as the rest of my year gossiped about rehearsals and studied for our exams.  I looked up a few times to check on Remi, who seemed to be enjoying his new popularity.  He had a group of Janes and even a few Johns surrounding him, chatting energetically.  I shook my head in disbelief.  It seemed the impossible was becoming increasingly possible recently.