Free Face the Music by Melody Carlson Page A

thought she hated me or was embarrassed by me or just didn’t care. Now I know I was wrong. Thank God.
    GROWING
growing up
and growing old
learn to do
the things we’re told
growing up
and growing wise
learn to see through
others’ eyes
growing up
and growing fast
hope the good times
don’t zip past
growing up
and growing smart
i know i won’t
outgrow God’s heart
cm
Friday, May 27
    I reintroduced myself to an old friend today. I’m sure she thought that I’d completely forgottenher. But I didn’t. Okay, here is what I remember about Kim Peterson. When I was in eighth grade and going through my little rebellious streak, and consequently losing my old friends left and right, I was on my way to orchestra one day (believe it or not, I used to play the violin—and not all that well) when Kim spoke to me.
    “You know, you could be a much better musician if you took the violin more seriously,” she said as we reached the door.
    “Huh?” I stopped and looked at her as if she were an alien.
    “I know you probably think I’m a geek because I actually care about school and grades and orchestra and all that.”
    “Aren’t you that brainy chick who has some big record for winning the mental math contest for like about twenty consecutive years?”
    “Four, actually.”
    “Yeah, whatever.”
    “But, really, Chloe, I’ve watched you play violin and you’re good, but you just don’t take it seriously. I’ll bet you never even practice.”
    I nodded. “You got that right.”
    “And I know that you’re having a hard time this year …”
    Now this made me mad. I didn’t need little Miss Perfect telling me how to live my life right then. “It’s none of your business,” I snapped at her.
    “Fine.” She held her head up high, and I could tell that I’d offended her, but I still didn’t care. “I just wanted to let you know that I think you could be a good musician if you worked harder.”
    And believe it or not, those words of hers stuck with me. But instead of practicing my violin (and honestly I never thought I’d have a chance of bumping her out of first chair because I was certain that she practiced for at least six hours each day), I decided to take up the guitar. And thinking about what she’d said about music, I decided to take my guitar seriously, and I actually began practicing for several hours a day too. Of course, I never told her any of this back then. But in some ways, I’ve always felt that Kim Peterson had a little to do with my success in music.
    Anyway, when I saw her heading in the direction of the music department, I called out to her and she stopped.
    “Hey, Kim, do you remember me?”
    She kind of rolled her eyes like she thought I was a half-wit. “Yes, Chloe, everyone in town knows who you are. The famous leader of the Christian rock band Redemption.”
    “Yeah, whatever. So, how are you doing?”
    “Okay, I guess. Are you actually enrolled in school now or just popping in to sign autographs?”
    I had to laugh at her attitude. It was obvious that this chick wasn’t anything like some of the other kids who practically grovel and bow, acting as if I should rule the world just because I have a recording contract.
    “I’m here until the end of the school year,” I told her. “Mostly so that Laura Mitchell can graduate with her class.”
    “Lucky Laura.” Her voice sound exasperated as she pushed a black strand of silky hair from her eyes. Then she just stood there for a moment and studied me, with what seemed a very calculated interest, before she started walking toward the music department again. And although uninvited, I walked along with her. Finally, we were just outside the orchestra room, but I still wasn’t sure what I wanted to say.
    “Looks like you’re still playing violin,” I said as I nodded down to her well-worn leather case.
    “Yeah, unlike you, I haven’t had any great offers to start leading a rock band yet.”
    I shrugged. “Hey, as I recall you were