Sunlight - Book 3

Chapter 5

I sat and patiently listened to the teacher going over the course for the semester. He went over briefly about the skills and techniques he wants us to be using when we take pictures of our muses.

We get to decide on what we want our muse to be. I wonder what mine would be?

Then one by one he passed around a roster and had us sign our names to it. I was the last to sign so I took it up to the teacher.

As I headed back to my desk he called me back up.

"Yes?" I asked curious to why I was called back.

He looked at me and then looked down at the roster before him. "Renesmee Cullen right?" he asked me.

I narrowed my eyes. "How did you know that?"

"I've been with these students for three years I should know all the faces by now don't you think?" He replied. "You on the other hand I don't know which brings me to my next question." I waited silently. "Why are you in this class?"

I linked my fingers together behind my back. "Sir this was placed on my schedule." I blushed.

He shook his head before turning his back on me and grabbing a thick binder off his desk before opening it and handing it to me. "What does it say?" he said before placing his finger on the page.

"Prerequisites are..." I didn't even bother finishing reading. I was impatient and truthfully a bit embarrassed to be having this discussion infront of a class of strangers. I sighed bitterly. "I know what it says I read it."

"Have you taken the prerequisites?"

I shook my head. "No. This is my first year here."

"Well then why are you here?"

I released my hands and let them hang limply at my side. "Look sir, I don't know who did my schedule but your class is on my class list. If its about the money I can pay."

Mr. Hawthorne scoffed. "It's not about the money its about the skill. Have you ever operated a black room or chemically processed pictures?"

I slowly shook my head. "No sir but I know the theory."

He began to laugh and then as quickly as it began his face grew hardened, his lips pressing into a thin line. "Get out of my class you are wasting my time." he said calmly.

I felt my skin began to prickle uncomfortably. Why was this man so rude.

"But I need an elective." I said in a small voice.

I could feel the eyes of the entire class on the back of my head. Even though I was the strongest in the class, possibly even the entire school, I felt weak and small. So small. I held my breath to try and keep the tears from unleashing.

He turned away from me and went to his desk where he began rummaging. After what seemed like hours - but was just under a minute - he came back to me with a paper in his hand.

"Why don't you try something that requires no talent at all like band class." He handed me the paper.

I glanced at the title of the class he was referring me to.

A232 Chamber Orchestra

"Wait..." he smirked. "You need talent in order to get in. Guess you are on your own."

I gasped. Why was this man being so rude to me? Was he like that to all his students?

I quietly walked back to my desk, avoiding eye contact with any students, and began hastily packing my things.

When all my things were in my pack I quickly left the room.

When I was away from the scrutiny of the classmates I slumped against the wall and sank to the floor. Tears began pouring rapidly from my face as I fumbled for my cell phone. Pressing the number 1 and the talk button I put my phone up to my ear. It began to ring and I held my breath.

"Renesmee?" My father answered. "How is school?"

I gasped and then let the tears continue to flow.

"Renesmee what is wrong?" My father asked in a panic.

"Dad my... my teacher." I couldn't finish. I wished he was here so I could just show him or let him read my mind.

"Renesmee stop." My father said to me. "Calm down." He began humming the lullaby he had made for me.

Almost immeadiately I began to hush and calm. This song was magic to me during stressed times. When I had calmed down and my breathing was back to normal he spoke again.

"Okay now tell me what is wrong."

"My teach Mr. Hawthorne kicked me out of class he said I was wasting his time because I wasn't in for three years." I said in a barely audible voice.

"Drew Hawthorne?"

"Yes father." How did he know his first name?

"Give him the phone."

"Dad..." I whined not wanting to embarrasse myself any further.

"Renesmee." Was all my father said.

I sighed as I rose to my feet and walked across the hall to the classroom door. Taking a deep breath I opened it.

"What are you doing in my classroom!" Mr. Hawthorne barked at me.

I felt my face flush crimson as I looked up at him. Very quickly I walked to his side and held out my phone to him.

"Its for you." I said gently.

He looked at me and then to the phone before he snatched it and held it to his ear.

"I'm teaching a lecture you can call me back at an appropriate hour." he went to move the phone but froze as my father began talking. With my excellent hearing I could hear the conversation.

"This is Edward Cullen speaking, Renesmee's father."

Mr. Hawthorne's eyes widened immeadiately.

"Now that I have your attention please understand that if you ever make my daughter cry again I will have your job. Your name will be tainted so harshly that no school in this district let alone the state will want to touch you."

I saw Mr. Hawthorne gulp nervously, sweat was perspirating heavily from his arm pits. "Yes Mr. Cullen."

"Now make sure my daughter is happy. She never goes out of her way to ask for anything so when she wants something within your power I suggest you make it happen." My fathers sentence ended in a feirce hiss. "Consider my daughter part of your class."

"Sir she isn't qualified to take this course she-"

"What did I just say? Don't test me Drew. Now give my daughter back the phone."

I flushed redder as Drew handed me back my phone.

"Daddy?" I whispered as I turned my back on the teacher and the class.

"Things are fixed. If you have anymore problems please don't hesitate to call me. I love you Renesmee."

"I love you too daddy." I whispered before hanging up and stowing my phone back in my bag.

When I turned back to face the class everyone was silent.

"Please take your seat Miss. Cullen." Mr. Hawthorne said to me.

I shook my head. Now that things were fixed I didn't want to be in this class. I didn't want to give him any reason to want to be rude. I was sure that if I took his class he would purposely flunk me out with a bunk excuse of me not doing something right. I wasn't even about to put myself in such a risky position.

"No thank you Mr. Hawthorne I think I am going to go and try this class you recommended." I smiled and turned my back on him before heading out the door.

When I was back in the solitude of the hall I held the paper up to my face and read.

A232 Chamber Orchestra:

A challenging ensemble experience designed for musicians seeking to perform advanced repertoire. This ensemble performs music from a variety of historical periods and origins, with an emphasis on orchestral literature and chamber music. Students participate in

regional festivals and perform often in the community. Open to students with experience on one of the following instruments: violin, viola, cello, double bass, oboe, flute, clarinet, bassoon, French horn, trumpet, trombone, tuba, piano, and concert percussion. Students who play an instrument other than those listed should contact the Music Program director prior to enrolling in this course.

Course length: Yearlong

Time: 8:00 - 8:45

Number of meetings per week: Two 45-minute periods and one 75-minute period

Prerequisites: An audition is required for students new to Lakeside; contact the Music Program director.

I could easily do this class. I just had to audition for the instrument I wanted to play. I glanced once at the time on my phone it was 8:06. It was hard to believe that this all happened in less then 10 minutes of class starting. I grinned. I still have time to audition.

The class was in the 200 building which was relievingly right next door to the building I was already in. I half ran to the class and slid in unnoticed. I took a seat in the back. After my arrival three more students entered the class, not doing as well as I did to be stealth.

"Ah, nice of you to join us. Please know that this is an auditions only position. No spots will be promised." The teacher said. She introduced herself once more and I learned that her name was Lianna Ratten.

"So auditions." She began as she looked out at us all. There were atleast 58 students here hoping for a spot. " We will go one at a time. I will give you a piece and you will use an instrument-" She gestured towards the mass collection of instruments consisting of wind, bass, string and percussion. "-of your choice for which you choose to audition for. Once you have your instrument I will begin assessing you on your posture, stance, technique and overall performance. You will place the first three lines and then stop then you will clean your instrument and return it to its spot."

That seemed easy enough.

"So who first?" She asked.

I looked around and waited for someone to volunteer but no one stood up.

Taking a deep breath I rose to my feet. "I'll go first." I breathed as I made my way through the rows of students and onto the small stage near the front of the class.

"What may your name be?" Mrs. Ratten asked.

I cleared my throat nervously. "Renesmee." I decided to leave out my last name because of how people reacted. I still haven't understood the full reason behind that.

"Renesmee. What will you be playing?"

I moved quietly across the room and sat on the bench before the old grand piano.

"Piano. Well then." She handed me the piece I was to play. "Begin when you are ready."

I set the music on the music stand before me and read the title. It was Yiruma River Flows in You. I loved this song. Taking a deep breath I set my hands at the home keys and began.

My fingers began dancing across the keys giving life to the notes on the music sheet. It began soft and slow and then quickened. The ivory keys against my fingers were exhuberant.

Behind me not one sound was made the only thing I could hear was breathing and hearbeats. Everyone was mesmirzed in song.

I closed my eyes, not caring to stop when I was supposed to, and continued onto the next measure. I half expected the teacher to say something but she didn't. I grinned to myself and continued on through to the ending of the song.

As I struck the final key and it rang out I opened my eyes. The class gave a gentle clap as I rose to my feet and returned the music sheet to the teacher.

"The official orchestra will be posted at lunch time outside the classroom but I think you are as good as gold for the part." She winked at me and gleefully as she dismissed me and then headed back to the center to welcome the next audition.

I left and decided to find where my next class was. I had my english class, Writing for Life, which was in the 400 building. I glanced at my phone for the time and saw I had about half an hour left for class. As long as I didn't stray to far I allowed myself to explore a bit.

Between the 200 and 300 building was a cobblestone courtyard. There was a gazebo sitting in the center and benches circling it. There was one other student sitting in the court yard under a tree. From where I stood I could see it was a boy about my age with dark hair and he was playing with a camera.

I decided to take a seat under the gazebo and catch some sun. I loved the feeling it had on my skin. I popped in my ear phones and took out my camera before I began messing with the settings. After a few moments I glanced up at the tree where the boy was sitting and he was gone. Then I heard a click.

I turned my head to my left and saw the boy sitting on the wooden rail of the gazebo. He had a just lowered his camera and looked away from me. Did he just take my picture?

"Excuse me?" I rose to my feet and took a step forward.

The boy turned to look at me and I could see the faintest hint of a blush. "Yes?" He said in a casual voice.

I nodded towards his camera and gave him a you-know-what-you-did expression.

He glanced at his camera before he sighed. He knew he had be caught in the act.

"I'm sorry. I'll delete it if you want."

I inclinded my head slightly. "How about you tell me why you took my picture and then I will decide whether or not its worthy enough for me to let you keep it." I smiled in as friendly of a manner as I could.

The boy who introduced himself as Tyler Hawthorne was one of the students from Mr. Hawthorne's camera class. He then confessed that he was also Mr. Hawthorne's only son. For having a father as a jerk he was so nice and shy.

"So Tyler, now that we officially met are you going to tell me why you took my picture?" I asked curiously.

I hated feeling so curious. I had to restrain myself from using my power to will the information from him. Still was so hard. I sighed. Then I heard it.

"Your assignment today is to find and locate a muse. Start taking pictures of your muse and document the emotion you feel from the photography. You are dismissed for the day." I heard the voice of Mr. Hawthorne speak.

I gasped and turned around expecting to see an angry Mr. Hawthorne about to snap at me for hanging around his son.

"Hey, Renesmee are you okay?" Tyler asked me.

I looked around the courtyard for Drew. He was no where to be seen. The only inhabitants in the courtyard were a small trio of girls sitting under the tree Tyler had previously vacated. They were wearing matching outfits. I shook my head and turned back to Tyler who was still waiting for an answer.

"I- I'm fine." I blushed. "So are you going to tell me? Please?"

He shrugged his shoulders. "I needed a muse and well you had my attention." He mumbled under his breath. I still heard him with my excellent hearing.

I felt my face blush completely. "Well. Thank you."

He nodded his head.

I smiled before I froze. What I had heard sounded smiliar to what Tyler had told me. Only it wasn't really his voice I heard but his fathers. Did I hear his thoughts?