I kept looking at the TV,

then looking back at the card.

I felt like if I looked away the TV or the contents of the card would change.

Ignoring the “Call Me” written on the card, it wasn't such a bad thing.

Maybe this wasn’t as weird as I thought.

Maybe he just liked my voice.

Maybe I could just look for the address where auditions are held.

It’s a new department, and that means a big announcement.

There’s no way he just won’t tell anyone.

“LITION CEO ANNOUNCES: Singing Auditions for their Entertainment Branch which are INVITE ONLY
Gee I’d wish I w-”

I shut off the TV.

Do I really have to call him?

I sighed deeply as I punched in the digits one by one.

The phone began ringing and an automated message played:

“Hello you have been Invited to participate in the Singing Auditions for our Entertainment Branch.

Please make sure to bring the card and a form of ID with you.

Auditions are set for 9:00AM on XXX Street in the newly constructed building at the end of the month.”

I somehow felt robbed of something I never wanted.

Who hand writes a number on their business card and the words “Call Me”
then just puts an automated voice message on the other side?!

 It was still only halfway through the month,

so I have plenty of time to think.

I still had to write that song…

I looked over at the pile of scrap paper.

The crumpled up pieces in the small trash bin,

the ones that fell around the trash can,

and the ones I’d scattered on my desk this morning.

Maybe it was at least worth considering.

It was the first audition I’d be invited to after all;

Even if I failed, it'd be good experience.

“Alright time to practice!”

I stood on my bed triumphantly.

“Will you shut up! I’m trying to sleep!”

  My neighbor yelled banging against the wall.

“Sorry!” I called back.

He sighed so loud I could hear it through the wall,

but I didn’t care…

I had an audition to rehearse!

I headed over to the local Karaoke club where the clerk gave me a weird look for going in by myself and buying the exact amount of time until the store closed.

That didn’t matter though; because I was motivated!
I could do this!
I  just have to keep singing for the next 5 hours straight!

Which I would soon learn, is a lot easier said than done.

2 Hours had passed since my initial excitement, and I was exhausted.

I was out of breath, dizzy, and lightheaded,

but I remembered the weird look that guy gave me and I knew I couldn’t lose.

I settled for taking a break.

I still got up every now and then for the next hour whenever I heard anyone, in case it was him.

I was not going to lose.

I was going to be the greatest!

I was-

going to check out now because I realized I needed to go visit my parents in the hospital.

I could hear the glee in his voice as he checked me out.

I was going to wipe that smirk off your face,

you were lucky.

Next time, I vow to defeat you!

He gave me a weird look again, as if he heard my internal monologue, so I returned the weird look.

Then he just looked really confused,

and so I left there with my head held high;

knowing I had won that battle.

I then looked at my phone and realized I had spent too much time in my internal monologue,

which was why he was looking at me weirdly.

How did I monologue for 15 minutes about his weird look?
Why am I so good at monologuing?

If that was my musical talent I would b-

I rushed over to the hospital I visit every week.

I stepped into the familiar room where both my parents lay.

They had both been diagnosed with a terminal illness that left both of them barely conscious.

I sat in a chair next to them and waited; it was just like every visit before.

Eventually they’d wake up,

I’d smile and I’d tell them what was going on in my life; minus a few details.

My mom opened her eyes and smiled.

It was a pure smile.

“I’m going to a singing audition and the end of the month”

“No”

  Her face shifted to disapproval; as her eyes looked at me with pity.

After my mom had gotten sick; she’d struggle to talk,

  so she’d speak in few words.

“Mom I have to do this, it's my dream!”

“Boy, song”

  I could guess what she meant by this:
(You’re still chasing that boy’s song aren’t you?
Quit music. Free yourself.

You don’t have to follow us.)

“I want to do music!
Aren’t you a musician?
Can’t you understand?
Please...”

My mom and dad were both musicians,

and successful ones at that.

They always thought I’d inherit that talent,

and pushed me,

but I never did.

I was a regular kid, with regular talent, regular hobbies, and a regular life.

That was until I heard the most beautiful song.

It was a piece that felt like it was calling for me.

A piece of loneliness, yet filled with love.

Like a song that encapsulated the entirety of a person’s life.

I want to meet the boy who wrote it.

He was a boy my age.

I often wondered if that piece would ever be published,

but that never happened.

No one seemed to see its beauty,

 not even its creator.

I vowed to publish the piece for him,

so I’ve been trying to compose the piece I heard so long ago,

but nothing I’ve written seems to be able to replicate that feeling.

My dad woke up this time.

He thought I was pitiful, all he muttered were the words:

“Mom, Right”

“Why do you guys not understand?!”

I tried time and time again for them to understand why this song was so important to me,

    but they never even made an attempt to listen.

Before I knew it tears were running down my face.

They tried to comfort me with a

“Sorry”,

as my mom tried to hug me, despite being in pain.

It was too late; I was furious.

Why time after time again would they never even try to understand?
Aren’t musicians supposed to want to play the most beautiful songs?

Shouldn’t they be supporting me?

I slammed the hospital door and ran out tears still running down my face.

I was going to prove them wrong.

I was going to win that audition.

I was going to find that boy.

That was two weeks ago; today was the day of the audition.

I got up out of bed exhausted.

I cleared my schedule for the week,

but I was so nervous I stayed up till 4AM.

I wore my nice winter coat,

a button up shirt,

and a pencil skirt underneath.

I even dyed my black hair brown a week ago for a confidence boost.

I stepped outside and immediately realized how freezing cold it was.

I hugged my winter coat tightly,

as I trekked the long road ahead.

I needed to get past this.

I was cutting it close with all the money I had spent these 2 weeks.

I might not make rent if I paid for the bus fare so-

I paid the bus fare and sat down on one of the warm comfy seats.

I could save money,

but if I were to get sick; the fees would be way more than a bus fare.

Plus I won’t be late, if I take the bus!

I arrived a small distance away from the Audition site,

and a crowd of people was forming.

Despite it being invitation only many people had found out;

because one of the others auditioning was a famous freelance singer,

who posted the exact location of the audition.

It might also have been the newly constructed building that literally read

“Entertainment Branch: Singing Auditions! (Invite Only)”

That was probably it.

I pushed past the hundreds of people crowded at the front gate.

I squeezed through the people holding the cameras trying to sneak a glimpse at the invitees.

I managed to make it to the front.

I made eye contact with the security guard,

and I showed him the card attempting to walk past him.

He stopped me.

“What do you think you’re doing?”

”The card”

”That’s not an invitation card; that’s a scribbled together fake.
Girl, I know you’re young and looking to make it big,

but being honest is the best way.

Maybe you’ll be invited next time if you try to make a name for yourself alright?”

He looked at me, eyes filled with a mix of condescension and annoyance.

“But this really was an invitation!”

Everyone was probably looking at me like I was some sort of “desperate kid".

“That’s what they all say.

I wasn’t born yesterday alright?

Go back home to your parents alright?”

He was only slightly taller than me, but his voice boomed like it would reach the other side of the city.

”I’m not a kid, and this is a real invitation”

I wish he’d stop looking at me like that.

I wish he’d believe me, or at least

I wish I could go home…

”Alright whatever you say, just get home safely.

If you want money for the bus fare just say so.”

I was actually considering his offer.

Maybe that guy was a liar.

The card was an obvious fake, but I just wanted to hold onto hope.
Maybe my parents were right;

I should just give up…

I should go apologize.

“Alr-”

I was about to agree until I saw the familiar man with the beautiful fingers.

He walked towards us, as I continued to watch him;

the security guard turned around as well.

His eyes filled with a tinge of fear.

“What is going on?” The man asked as he approached us.

  I couldn’t tell before, when he was sitting,

but he towered over me.

“Oh, I found a girl, who made a fake invitation!

Can you believe it?
I mean most of the others at least tried,

but to scribble on a phone number and “Call Me”.

Who would ever be stupid enough to invite someone that way?”

“Yeah”

“I’m glad you agree sir; I’ll escort this girl away now.” He grabbed my wrist.

It hurt.

“When did I say that?” He stopped the guard; grabbing his wrist.

“I thought you-” He let go of my wrist; it was red.

“I was agreeing to your expulsion;

you can be replaced soon enough” The man let go of the security guard’s wrist.

“What! Sir please reconsider-” He began begging on his knees in front of the hundreds of people watching.

“I would have forgiven you with a slap on the wrist;

if you hadn’t insulted my invitation.

If you can’t even recognize my handwriting; your years here were pointless”
He had gotten two of the other guards to escort him off of the premise.

He held out his hand, and smiled.

I took his hand and walked into the building.

It was a nice feeling.