Falling Stars (Shooting Stars 5)

"Are you all right?" Rose asked.

I started to say no when Chandler approached. he said. "You were terrific." He turned to the others. "All of you were great."

"Excuse me," Ms. Fairchild told him with a plastic smile. She stepped directly between him and me. 'Please ask your friends to wait politely at the rear of the room. Introductions to important people are to begin."

She widened that smile and walked away. Chandler and Rose had overheard.

"How rude," she said. "Like our friends aren't important people. That's why I didn't want Evan hanging around and feeling unwanted and belittled."

"Don't worry. She can't make me feel

unwanted." Chandler whispered in my ear. "I'll be eagerly waiting for you in the bleachers."

He looked about and then quickly kissed me on the cheek before hurrying off to join Barry. I caught Madame Senetsky glaring at me with those eyes that could condemn someone to the gallows with a single glance.

"I feel like I'm on display," Rose muttered through a forced smile. "Just like I did when I was in the beauty contest. Why can't we just be ourselves and mingle? This feels so artificial. Who stands in a line like this at a party and lets people gape at them?"

"We do." Howard said proudly. "The creme de la creme."

The train of people began to line up to pass before us. Madame Senetsky introducing each of us, making sure to introduce Jack Ferante first.

"I see some movie-star potential here." he declared, looking at Rose.

Most everyone was enthusiastic about us and our work, raining down his or her appreciation in a shower of compliments. Howard was the best at soaking them up. He seemed to swell with every passing moment, the glow in his face becoming absolutely luminous. Like the rest of us, however, he maintained enough modesty to satisfy Madame Senetsky. I wasn't modest so much as I was too frightened to say anything but a simple "thank you."

After the formal introductions, we were joined by our teachers, who directed us to those more involved in our individual fields. The room was filled with conversations about music, dance, and the theater. Names of famous people were casually thrown about as if they were all close friends with the guests who were present. Some of them probably were. My most interesting conversation was with a viola player who was with the New York

Philharmonic. He told me about their rehearsals, how he had been chosen, his own schooling and

preparation, and what his life was like living in New York and traveling with the orchestra.

"I have no doubt," he said. "that you will end up with one of our finest symphony orchestras. too. You don't know how lucky you are to have this

opportunity. I wish I had been given it when I was your age. For me it was quite a struggle, but for you, with your talent and Madame Senetsky's connections, it should be so much easier. I can think of no one who carries more respect and influence in New York, as well as the world's most important cities, than she does."

I thanked him, and when I turned. I saw Madame Senetsky had been standing very close, eavesdropping on everything he had said to me and I had said to him. Our eyes met for an instant and I saw the pleasure in her face hearing all the wonderful things about herself. She nodded at me as if to say, "See? Now you know why you had better do exactly as I tell you." Then she turned her attention to Rose.

For a moment. I appeared to be free. There was no one with whom I had to make conversation. It was as if a fresh breeze had come into the room. I could take a deep breath and let myself relax. It was shortlived, however. As soon as I turned toward Chandler. Mr. Bergman was there with a friend of his who taught at Juilliard.

"Madame Senetsky is lucky you didn't audition for me," he said. "You would have had a scholarship and be attending my school.

"But," he added with a small sigh, "I'll have to admit she gets her students placed well and on to very successful careers. She has an amazing track record."

"Which is why I am here in the first place," Mr. Bergman told him.

His friend assured me I would be working for a prestigious orchestra some day soon.

"Just work hard." he said. "and listen keenly to everything Madame Senetsky tells you," he admonished and walked off. If I hear that from one more person, I thought. I'll scream.

When I gazed about. I saw how all of the others were glowing. Thankfully, it was a very successful evening. Toward the end of the reception. Madame Senetsky expressed that very sentiment to us. She looked proud and content.

Finally released from my obligatory chatter. I hurried to join Chandler. Barry and Rose fell in with us and the four of us started out of the room, intending to spend some time together in the parlor. but Ms.

Fairchild caught up with us in the hallway.

"Remember curfew, girls," she warned. She tapped the face of her watch, "Twenty more minutes and your friends will have to leave the house and you're all to be in bed."

She marched ahead of us to join Madame Senetsky in the entryway saying good night to the guests.