Chapter 2 A shattered dream

The shredded remains of the rejection letter lay scattered across the floor, but the words still echoed in Maya's head.

"We regret to inform you..."

She clenched her jaw, her fingers curling into the bedsheet. No matter how many times she told herself to shake it off, the rejection felt like a needle pierced into her skin.

Her eyes drifted toward the corner of her room where her guitar leaned against the wall, untouched. Just this morning, she had traced her fingers over its strings, humming a melody full of hope. Now, it might as well have been a piece of forgotten furniture.

Maya stared at it, a bitter laugh bubbling in her throat. What was the point?

Music had always been her escape, her language when words failed. But now? Now it felt like a cruel joke.

She swung her legs off the bed and stood abruptly. The air in her room felt too thick, suffocating.

Pacing toward the window, she yanked it open, letting the cold evening breeze slap against her skin. It smelled like rain, the kind that washed everything away. She wished it could do the same for her disappointment.

Her phone vibrated on the nightstand, snapping her out of her thoughts. Shine, who had gotten home, decided to check on her again.

Shine: Wanna talk?

Maya sighed, rubbing her temples. She loved Shine; her unwavering optimism, the way she believed in Maya's talent even when Maya didn't, but right now, talking felt impossible.

She ignored the message.

Her eyes wandered back to her guitar. The sight of it sent a fresh wave of anger surging through her. She had poured everything into her music. Every late-night practice session, every lyric scrawled in her worn-out notebook, every ounce of herself. And for what?

She stormed over to it, gripping the neck tightly. The wood was smooth, familiar beneath her fingers. For a brief second, she hesitated.

Then, with a sharp inhale, she lifted it and shoved it back into its case.

The zipper rasped against the silence as she closed it. She dragged the case to the back of her closet and shoved it in, out of sight.

Out of her mind.

She stood there for a moment, staring at the closed door as if expecting it to fight back. But it didn't. The only sound in the room was ragged breathing.

Her hands trembled. She clenched them into fists, forcing herself to swallow the lump in her throat.

It doesn't matter!

She needed to move on. Find something else. Something practical.

Maybe her parents had been right. Maybe music will always be a long shot.

But the thought sent a sharp pain through her chest like she was betraying something deep inside her.

A knock at the door made her jump.

"Maya?"

Her mom.

Maya sucked in a breath, swiping at her damp cheeks before turning toward the door. "Yeah?"

"Dinner's ready," her mom called gently. "Come eat, sweetheart."

Maya hesitated. She wasn't hungry, not even a little. However, avoiding her parents would only raise suspicion, and the last thing she needed was another lecture about having a backup plan.

She exhaled and pulled the door open.

Her mom's warm brown eyes scanned her face, her expression softening. "Rough day?"

Maya forced a shrug. "Something like that."

Her mom didn't press. Instead, she gave a small nod toward the dining room. "Come on, your dad made your favorite."

Maya followed her down the hall, the scent of pasta and fries filling the air. Normally, the smell would have made her stomach rumble, but tonight it barely registered.

She slid into her usual seat at the table. Her dad smiled at her from across the room. "Hey, kiddo."

Maya mustered a weak smile. "Hey."

Her mom placed a plate of pasta in front of her, but the sight of it made Maya's stomach turn.

Her dad cleared his throat. "So... did you hear back from the academy?"

Maya's grip tightened on her fork. There it is.

She could feel both their eyes on her, waiting, hoping. For a brief moment, she considered lying, sparing them the disappointment. But the words wouldn't come.

She swallowed. "I didn't get in."

The silence stretched long enough to make her ears ring.

Her mom was the first to react, reaching across the table to squeeze Maya's hand. "Oh, sweetheart, I'm so sorry."

Her dad exhaled through his nose, his expression unreadable. "Are you okay?"

Maya let out a breathy laugh, though it held no humor. "Yeah, totally fine. Dream crushed, future uncertain, but it's all good."

Her mom shot her a knowing look. "Maya."

"What?" Maya's voice was sharper than she intended. "It's not like I'm the first person to get rejected. I'll figure something out."

Her dad nodded slowly. "You will, I'm sure you will."

But he didn't sound convinced. And that stung more than the rejection itself.

Her mom squeezed her hand again. "This doesn't mean it's over, you know. One school's decision doesn't define your talent."

Maya swallowed the lump in her throat. She knew they meant well. She knew they were trying to be supportive.

But right now, it didn't help.

Because the truth was, she didn't feel like a musician anymore.

She just felt... lost.

She barely touched her food, pushing pasta around her plate until it felt acceptable to excuse herself.

As soon as she was back in her room, she collapsed onto the bed, staring at the ceiling.

Her phone buzzed again.

Shine: I swear if you're ignoring me, I'm coming over.

Maya let out a soft chuckle, but it faded quickly. She knew Shine would show up uninvited if she didn't respond. That is how far she can go for a friend. Not minding how many times she's been there.

With a sigh, she typed back.

Maya: I'm okay. Just need some time.

A reply came instantly.

Shine: Okay. But just so you know, rejection letters are dumb. You're still a star.

Maya exhaled, a small warmth breaking through the numbness.

She didn't feel like a star right now.