Chapter 41

I headed down the hallway towards the front entrance, backpack slung over my shoulder, ready to get home and start packing. I had to leave for LA on Monday, and, unlike last time, I was going to be gone for at least two weeks. I’d be returning the week after Christmas. This meant I had to figure out how to get everything packed, and go through it a few times to make sure I didn’t miss anything.

I couldn’t, however, just leave school. Although I had gotten permission to finish the semester one week early and had finished my last final today; I still needed to see Dr. Wallace one last time, to make sure I wouldn’t be hit with any surprises while I was away. He hadn’t done that kind of thing yet, but I wasn’t going to leave it to chance. It would also give me some peace of mind and be less of a distraction at the competition if I knew I didn’t have anything annoying waiting for me when I came back.

Mrs. Morgan waved me through as soon as I got into the office. Normally, he was on bus duty, but he knew I was heading out today and he’d told me to stop by at the end of the day, so maybe he was expecting me.

His door was open, but he was focused on something in front of him, scribbling, when I arrived outside his office. Not wanting to just barge in, I knocked on the doorframe.

“Dr. Wallace?” I prompted.

“Charlie! Yes, yes, come on in,” he said, waving me to one of the seats opposite his desk. “Thank you for stopping by on your way out. First, I wanted to commend you again on the event you and Mr. Lawson put on earlier this week. I’ve received nothing but glowing praise, and the mayor is particularly pleased.”

“I was happy to help, and glad to see so many people there.”

He smiled. “I know you are, but I still think it needs to be said. The donations you helped raise for the city will go a long way toward helping this community, and I’m sure the mayor and city council will not forget this any time soon.”

I held my tongue. Despite what the mayor had said, I still wasn’t convinced all of that money would actually make it into the city coffers. With Kat’s father involved, no amount of promises would convince me that everything was on the up and up. But, I was also sure a high school kid pointing that out wouldn’t make a difference, nor did I see a benefit to arguing with the principal about it.

I simply said, “I’m glad I could help out.”

“I must say, I really enjoyed your performance as well, and I continue to be amazed by your abilities. As an educator, it’s so rewarding to work with a student as talented and driven as you are. You should be very proud of what you’ve accomplished.”

I shrugged self-consciously. “I’m just trying to do my best.”

“And you certainly have,” Dr. Wallace continued. “In fact, I’ve received calls from the district office about the publicity the school has received from your national TV appearance. They were thrilled to showcase one of our students being so diligent in their studies, even during a major competition. It reflects very well on us.”

I chuckled. “Well, hopefully, it makes up for me suing them last year.”

“I have no doubt it has. You’ve become quite the role model for our students, and they specifically mentioned how happy they are with you. Between you and me, I think they wanted me to tell you that, to ensure there are no hard feelings about the ... unpleasantness you faced over the last several years here at Carr.”

“There aren’t. I’m not one to hold grudges, and they did everything I asked when we talked at the end of last school year. Plus, you’ve been more than fair to me all semester.”

“Good. I’ll be sure to relay your message,” he said.

No doubt they would attribute my mollification to Dr. Wallace, which was fine. He really had been fair, and I wasn’t lying. They had kept up with their side of our bargain. I could only imagine what trying to do this competition would have been like if Mr. Packer was still here.

“I know you probably have a lot to do to get ready to go to Hollywood, so I won’t keep you with too much chit-chat,” Dr. Wallace continued. “But I did want you to know that I’ve talked to your teachers, and it looks like your finals are all wrapped up. Not all the grades are in yet, but the ones that have come in so far have been very positive.”

“Good,” I said. “I wasn’t too worried, but it’s nice to have that confirmation before I head out.”

“Again, you’ve done all your work for this semester, so you are free and clear. Though I’m sure your classmates who still have another week of school are jealous that you get to start your break early,” he chuckled.

“I won’t rub it in too much,” I said, giving his joke a sympathy laugh. “And I do appreciate you working with me on all of this. It takes a lot of pressure off knowing I’ve got things wrapped up before I leave.”

“Good,” he said, before turning serious again. “Now, even if you win the entire thing, which I’m sure you will, I expect you back here and ready to learn after winter break. I know your music career is taking off, but your education is still important.”

I nodded. “Of course. I told you I am committed to finishing high school, and I am, regardless of what happens with my career.”

“I’m glad to hear it, but I seem to remember you telling me you were going to finish high school and college. How are you progressing with the applications we talked about?”

“I’ve sent in seven. UNC, NC State, Boston University, New York University, University of Maryland, and the University of Rochester. I know they will be received after the deadline, but I might have to look at west coast schools if I win, because there’s a chance I’ll need to be out there if I get signed by a label.”

“Apply for them while you’re on your trip. We’re past the early admission deadlines, but most of the schools have their regular decision deadlines in January and early February, so it’s not too late. But the sooner you get them in, the better. I don’t want you to have to take a gap year next year if you can help it. If you get into those schools and don’t need to accept, there’s no harm, but if you wait to do something in March or April, or whenever you find out if you have to be out there instead of here, it’ll be too late.”

“I understand. I’ll get them sent in.”

He smiled warmly. “Good. I expect great things from you, Charlie. This is just the beginning for you, so let’s get you a solid foundation.”

“Okay.”

“Okay,” he said, pushing himself out of his chair. “Well, I won’t keep you any longer. I’m sure you’re eager to get home and start your adventure.”

He stood and extended his hand.

I stood as well and shook it. “Thank you again for all your help this semester. I’ll see you in January.”

“Looking forward to it. Safe travels, and know that everyone here will be rooting for you!”

As the plane taxied to the gate at LAX on Monday afternoon, I started to really feel the nerves and excitement. The prelims had been just something to try, and I’d gone in with no expectations. Actually, I’d gone in expecting to lose. Now that I was back in Los Angeles, about to compete in the live semi-finals, the reality of it had set in. Both Warren and Benny were sure that if I won this thing, it would catapult me clear past where I was with MAC. While I felt confident I could win, there was a lot riding on it, and the pressure was on.

Beyond that, I was also feeling a little lonely. Kat and Hanna were still in school until Wednesday, and my flight had been so early that everyone else was still asleep when I left for the airport. I knew they were all planning to fly out the week of Christmas for the finals, which said a lot about how certain they were I was going to make it through.

As I emerged from the tunnel into the terminal, I was surprised to see a couple of cameras waiting behind a rope line, pointed in my direction. One had the logo of The Stage on it and was probably there shooting B-roll again, to use in the packages they’d play right before each of us went up to perform. More surprisingly were the other two, one from NBN, the same national outlet that was at the viewing party for the final prelim showing, and one had the logo of what I guessed to be a local station. NBN was the network that carried The Stage, so I tried not to get too big of a head about it. There was also a lady in what I guessed was a nice pantsuit standing next to them, holding a microphone.

Considering my last run-in with them, I slowed down, looking for an escape. Unfortunately, there aren’t a lot of places to go coming out of airport security, and she saw me almost as soon as I cleared the doors marking the point of no re-entry.

“Charlie! Hey, Charlie,” she said, waving me over.

Part of me just wanted to be a dick and walk past like it was nothing, but the studio camera was there and NBN was the network that carried the show, so I wasn’t sure if that was a good idea. Trying to keep my face as natural as possible, I veered over and stopped in front of her.

“So tell us, are you excited for the semi-finals? Do you think you can win the whole thing?”

“I guess I’m nervous and excited. As far as winning the whole thing, who knows? I think I have a shot. If I didn’t, they wouldn’t have put me in the last fifteen, but I’m up against really strong competition, so I’m not counting any chickens before they hatch.”

“Who do you think your biggest challenge will be?” she asked.

There was no way I was singling one competitor out of the lot as “the best,” which I knew was what she was asking.

“I think they’re all my biggest challenge. Everyone in the final fifteen fought hard to get here and has a shot to win the whole thing. They are amazing artists. I think I need to be at the studio lot pretty soon. Thanks for the questions.”

I turned and walked away before she could ask me anything else. I saw several people around baggage claim looking at me, clearly trying to figure out who I was and why I rated three TV cameras. I’d argue I didn’t, since there were fifteen other people in this competition, but I didn’t get a say in it. I just gave the people who made eye contact with me a thin-lipped smile or a nod and kept walking.