DIANE DAKERS Colby wanders off to talk to one of the percussionists a girl who goes to his school I pretend to study my music But really I’m thinking about what Colby said The more I think about it the more I realize that I wouldn’t mind being cello number one for a change Just because Tawni has always played first doesn’t mean she always should play first Maybe I’ll get a chance one day Maybe at next year’s audi tions I’ll come out on top Maybe Five minutes orchestra Mr Holmes calls Oh who am I kidding The reality is no matter how hard I work how much I practice I will never be as good as Tawni She lives inside the music in a way I can’t I don’t know how she does it Mr Holmes interrupts my daydream Brielle Colby I need a moment he calls to us He makes a beeline for the cello section clutching his phone and frowning Colby rushes over I just heard from Tawni’s mother Mr Holmes says Bad news Tawni broke her wrist at her gymnastics event She’s not coming to rehearsal today I gasp Is she going to be okay When will she be back 6
STRINGS ATTACHED That sucks says Colby How bad is it It sounds like Tawni will be out of commis sion for at least three months says Mr Holmes He’s staring at me I can see the wheels turning in his brain By this time the other cellists have gathered around to find out what’s going on We have to shift the cello section around says Mr Holmes firmly I am holding my breath Congratulations Brielle You are now prin cipal cellist 7
Two F irst cellist Me I gasp Mr Holmes I’m not We won’t worry about switching seats right now he interrupts Stay where you are for today At our next rehearsal Brielle will move to first chair The rest of you will shift too I’ll let you know who will sit where This is happening too fast I’m not ready for first chair I don’t want to be right in front of the audience during concerts I don’t want everyone looking at me Mr Holmes I plead can’t you find another principal cellist from another orchestra He ignores me and bellows to the rest of the musicians Break’s over everyone His voice fills the auditorium Please take your seats 8
STRINGS ATTACHED I’m practically hyperventilating This is all my fault If only I hadn’t wished to be first cello If only I hadn’t said it out loud maybe Tawni would be okay I jinxed my best friend I should have kept my big mouth shut Colby slides over and punches my shoulder You rock Brie I told you that you were good enough to be principal cellist And I am quite happy to move up to second chair thank you very much He raises his hand to high-five me I force a smile and slap his open palm He turns and fist bumps Jaron who sits in the center of the back row of cellists Easy for Colby to be excited He doesn’t have to sit at the front of the orchestra In full view of the audience Right beside the conductor He has the best position now my position The second-chair cellist gets to play all the good lines in the music but has no responsibility No expectations No spotlight What’s going on Bum I turn and glare at my brother Marc He plays double bass That means he stands behind us cellists during practices and performances 9
