"We start today," Miss Sofia said. "So neither of you should leave yet."
And for the first time—
young Aria felt like she was stepping into something real.
"Now, sit."
They did.
"Lewis," Miss Sofia said, walking toward the piano. "Sing the chorus. Aria, listen carefully."
Lewis nodded and began singing.
He was halfway through when—
"Stop."
Miss Sofia lifted a hand.
"You're sounding a little flat there. Use a softer tone for that part." She sang the line herself, demonstrating the difference. "Again. From the top."
Lewis repeated it exactly the way she instructed.
A small nod of approval crossed Miss Sofia's face.
"Good. Aria, your turn. Lewis, listen to her voice."
Young Aria took a breath and began singing in her tenor range.
But halfway through, her voice wavered slightly.
Miss Sofia noticed immediately.
"Aria," she said gently, "don't let your nerves control your voice. Control the note. Stay steady."
Young Aria inhaled slowly, then started again.
This time, she held the key longer.
Even with the nervousness lingering beneath her voice, she pushed through it.
"Better," Miss Sofia said. "I can still hear the nerves, but I also hear confidence."
Young Aria straightened slightly at the praise.
"Did both of you notice the difference?" Miss Sofia asked.
"Yes," young Aria answered.
Miss Sofia turned to Lewis.
"And you? Did you hear where her voice changed?"
Lewis seemed distracted for a moment before replying quietly,
"Yes."
Miss Sofia studied them both carefully.
"That's why I asked you to listen to each other," she explained. "A duet isn't about overpowering someone. Your voices need balance in order for melodies to blend naturally."
Then she clapped her hands softly once.
"Alright. Breathing exercise first. Aria—breathe in… and out."
Young Aria obeyed immediately.
Miss Sofia then instructed Lewis to do the same, alternating between them. After several intervals, they were asked to sing together again.
This time, the breathing control Miss Sofia had been focusing on was still present. The sound was slightly better—more balanced, more controlled. Not perfect, but improved.
"You're getting there," Miss Sofia said. "You can leave for today. Tomorrow, we focus on breathing again."
Young Aria and Lewis picked up their bags and left the hall.
Outside, the air was colder.
Young Aria started toward home, but stopped when she heard a raised voice nearby.
She turned.
Lewis stood in front of his father.
Unmoved.
Unfazed.
But his father was furious.
"I told you—once it's three o'clock, you come straight home!" the man snapped. "Do you understand that people are waiting for you?"
"I'm sorry, Father," Lewis replied quietly.
His eyes briefly flicked toward young Aria.
Then his father noticed the surroundings—realizing they were in public.
Without another word, he grabbed Lewis by the arm and pulled him away.
They left quickly.
Young Aria stood still.
Something in her expression softened as she watched them go.
But then she remembered what her mother had told her—about not trying to fix everyone else's problems.
Slowly, she exhaled.
And turned back toward her path home.