Fake by Ele Fountain

Author:Ele Fountain
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Pushkin Press
Published: 2022-12-15T00:00:00+00:00

When lessons finish, I’m about to head to the quiet study zone, when I remember my session with Miss Singer. I can’t believe I almost forgot. As I approach the music room, I feel a flutter in my stomach. I must be nervous about sharing what Jack and I have worked on.

‘Would you like the good news first?’ Miss Singer asks, clutching her port-screen so tightly that I wonder whether it might snap.

Jack pushes his hair from his eyes. His calm stillness the exact opposite.

‘The principal has agreed that you will be our nominees for this year’s competition, and I’ve received a message,’ she says, holding her screen in the air, ‘confirming that you’ve been invited to submit a complete song or musical piece.’

I gasp.

Jack is nodding his head and smiling. ‘When do we have to submit the full piece?’

‘Ah.’ Miss Singer’s smile falters slightly. ‘We need to submit within two weeks.’

Jack makes a low whistling sound.

‘Yes, it doesn’t leave us much time. I wondered whether you might be willing to give up a few evenings to prepare?’

‘Count me in,’ Jack says quickly. ‘Jess?’ He looks over.

‘Definitely,’ I reply.

‘Jessica, have you had any time to think about a piece, along the lines of what we discussed? The majority of entrants will be playing their own versions of pre-existing songs.’ She pauses. ‘So it’s fine if you two would like to do the same. I realize this is a lot of extra work for the start of your first school year.’ Her eyes flick from me to Jack.

‘We’ve already been working on something. It’s not finished, but—’

‘It’s brilliant,’ Jack says, his eyes shining.

The flutter in my stomach spreads upwards to my chest.

Miss Singer shakes her head, as if not quite believing what she’s heard.

‘Well, you’ve certainly hit the ground running,’ she smiles. ‘Can you play me what you have so far?’

I tap the music stand and the screen unfurls.

‘Version four,’ I say clearly.

Jack stares at me, a smile twitching the corners of his mouth.

‘You digitized it?’

I nod. ‘Not because it’s better. There were just too many corrections.’

‘Shall we begin?’ Miss Singer asks.

Jack lifts his bow. As I rest my violin on my shoulder, everything in the room seems sharper, clearer. I’ve felt this way before, but only when I’m hacking.

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