NOVEL NEXT Chapter 5: Ch. 5: Music Genius
The moment Riley walked into the music classroom, he felt out of place. Instruments lined the walls, and a grand piano sat in the corner. The air smelled of polished wood and sheet music, a scent unfamiliar yet oddly calming. The teacher, Mr. Harris, clapped his hands together. "Alright, class! Who wants to go first?"
Riley remained silent, hoping no one would notice him.
"How about the new student shows us his talent?" Mr. Harris said with a smile, looking at Riley.
Reluctantly, Riley walked up to the piano, his hands hovering over the keys. He decided to play one of the songs he knew best—'Moonlight Sonata' by Beethoven. He hesitated, his heartbeat loud in his ears. Taking a deep breath, he pressed down. A soft, melodic sound filled the room. Then, something shifted within him. His fingers glided over the keys instinctively, crafting an atmosphere where the moonlight seemed to shine like a diamond. Gasps filled the room as his music built, rich and full of emotion.
Each note carried raw emotion, as if he was pouring his very soul into the song. The room fell utterly silent, captivated by the unexpected beauty of his performance. The haunting yet soothing melody wrapped around every listener, pulling them into a world Riley hadn't even realized he could create.
Someone whispered, "Is this real?"
Even Mr. Harris was stunned. "Riley… where did you learn how to play the piano like that?"
Riley blinked, stepping away from the piano as if waking from a trance. "I… don't know," he admitted, breathless. He had never played like that before—at least, not in front of anyone.
The class sat frozen, jaws practically on the floor. The silence was thick, then suddenly broken by Ethan, who jumped up and shouted, "Dude, you've been holding out on us!"
The class erupted in applause, some even cheering. Riley's face burned, unsure how to process the attention. His heart pounded, a mix of exhilaration and fear flooding through him. For the first time, he wasn't just the quiet new kid. He was someone extraordinary.
But he did not become egocentric, for he remembered the words of Matthew 23:12:
'For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted.'