Sasha's Solo

Sasha loved singing. She loved hearing her voice blend with the voices of the other kids in her school chorus. It gave her the good kind of butterflies in her tummy.

Sasha didn’t have the loudest voice. That was her best friend, Eli. And she did not have the prettiest voice. That was Gina. But none of that mattered to Sasha. She just loved singing.

But Sasha did not love being onstage. Standing under the lights made her nervous. And seeing the audience staring at her gave her the bad kind of butterflies in her tummy.

So she always sang with her eyes closed. And she stood behind Eli, who was very tall.

On Monday, Ms. Bell, the chorus teacher, had something special to say: “Our chorus has been asked to sing at this year’s fall concert!”

Ms. Bell said that this was a big deal. The chorus would be learning a new song for the concert.

“And one of you will get to be the soloist. That’s the student who will sing the lead part,” she noted. “Tryouts are tomorrow.”

After chorus rehearsal, Sasha and Eli shared a snack on the school bus. “You have to try out for the solo!” Eli exclaimed in between bites of his Pop-Tart.

“No way. Gina can do it,” Sasha said.

“Noooo! She always does,” Eli yelled.

“Why don’t you try out, then?” Sasha took a bite of her own Pop-Tart.

“I am. But you have a real chance at being chosen. You’re a great singer!”

“I don’t like having everyone look at me.”

“Just think about it,” Eli said.

Sasha did. She thought about what it would be like to be a soloist. She remembered what her dad always said, “Trying something new can be scary, but it helps you grow.”

“OK. I’ll do it,” Sasha told Eli as she was getting off the bus. Eli was so overjoyed that he cheered for Sasha out the window.

Tryouts were the next day. Eli and Sasha walked to them together.

Eli went first. Eli’s voice was so loud that Sasha could hear every word he sang through the closed door. That made her smile.

When it was Sasha’s turn, Eli wished her luck. “Just pretend you’re standing right behind me. Like always,” he said.

Sasha walked into the tryout room. She did her best to smile. The bad butterflies were back.

“Whenever you’re ready, Sasha,” Ms. Bell said to her. Then she played a note on the piano.

Sasha closed her eyes and sang.

Ms. Bell called everyone together later that day. “The soloist for the concert will be. . . Sasha!” The room cheered. Eli danced. Even Gina clapped for her.

Sasha could not believe it. She had not expected to be chosen. But now that she was chosen, she did not feel excited. All she felt were those bad butterflies flying around in her tummy.

Sasha went up to Ms. Bell. “I don’t want to be the soloist anymore,” she said.

“Is there anything I can do to change your mind?” Ms. Bell asked.

Just then, an idea popped into Sasha’s head. She whispered it to Ms. Bell. “He knows the solo by heart,” Sasha added. Ms. Bell thought for a minute. Then she laughed. She said, “OK, Sasha. That’s fine with me.”

Sasha smiled.

The night of the concert had finally arrived. The chorus was called up to the stage. The room was full of people.

Sasha stood in front of the chorus. She held a mic.

Ms. Bell spoke to the crowd. “We’ll be singing a new song for you. Please welcome our two soloists, Sasha and Eli!”

Eli’s eyes got huge. He ran to the front and hugged Sasha. Sasha held out the mic between them. Ms. Bell began playing the piano. Sasha closed her eyes.

She could not see anyone in front of her. But she could hear her own voice and her best friend’s voice blending together as they sang.

Eli’s voice was even louder in the mic. But that didn’t matter to Sasha. She felt butterflies flying in her tummy. The good kind.