Friday

Sara's voice reverberated around the dance studio, a pleasant melody accompanying it in the background. In line with the pillowy soft tune, Sara's voice while still containing its trademark huskiness, actually managed to match well with this lighter music at this moment. However, at the same time, there was also clear signs of strain in her voice as well at some points as well as she fought to reach these lighter notes with all her heart.

Eventually, her voice even became too strained to continue as she failed to force out a particularly high note of the song, which in turn only ended up with Sara recoiling in a fit of dry coughs when she finally lost her breath.

[Damn it, I told you to stop forcing it.]

Jennifer cried out at the scene, quickly coming to Sara’s aide, handing over a bottle of water to ease the girl’s burning throat; going on to admonish her when the girl had sufficiently eased her burning throat:

[This is how you damage your voice, I've told you this already!]

[S-sorry, it’s just that I was so close this time…]

Sara said, a sigh escaping her lips in her negativity.

[And what have I told you?]

Jennifer wasn’t accepting her excuse as she went on to chastise her without mercy:

[I’m not looking for a perfect performance from you, Sara. Not yet anyway. These vocal exercises are just to test your singing range and increase your level of ease as you sing at fluctuating levels. It doesn’t matter how high or low you can sing if it sounds like your voice is straining to meet these notes instead of reaching these notes at a practised ease. Method over results, that’s the lesson to be learnt here; one you seem to continuously ignore!]

[I-I’m sorry, I understand.]

Sara agreed solemnly, eyes looking at her feet in her shame.

[It’s okay, I know it’s just how you are. Pushing yourself is good, but not if you’re overextending your bounds... *sigh* It’s just good that it’s the weekend after today’s session.]

Jennifer shook her head with a sigh, feeling somewhat exasperated by the situation.

‘Here we were worried about her dedication and work ethic, yet opposite to our doubts, the girl appears to have the exact opposite problem. She’s almost self-destructive in her will to work hard even!’

[Hn.]

Sara could only continue to nod in acquiesce, eyes still trained on her shoes.

[Alright, head up.]

Jennifer returned to her usual lax smile as she gave the girl in front of her a light flick on the forehead, finally returning the girl's attention away from her shoes as she continued with her benign smile:

[Let’s move onto some vocal exercises again and then we’ll finally get back to some choreography after the break…]

Several hours later, Sara looked up at a ticking clock in the room and was surprised to find that the time was already approaching the end of the lesson; her breathing came out in heavy breaths the whole while, warm drips of sweat dripping upon the solid floor and her clothes. Sara was sat on the floor, legs splayed wide and her chest heaving from the exertion of the days physical labour.

[You did well today.]

Jennifer smiled at the girl, casting a shadow over her as she hovered beside her, her hands fastened to her hips as she also exhaled a little from her own tiredness.

[Before you go, I would like to discuss a little about your future lessons, if that's okay with you.]

[Ah, yes!]

Sara went to clamber to her feet, only to be stopped and pushed back into a sitting position by the director, who gave her a reprimanding glare.

[Rest, don’t overexert yourself.]

Jennifer only continued when she saw the girl roll her eyes in defeat, a smile forming her face nonetheless:

[Starting Monday, the days I’ll be able to tutor you will become increasingly less, unlike this week where I could still manage a few hours at the least each day, I’m unlikely to be able to come in some days in the following weeks. That having been said, I’ll try to teach you as much as I can during the time’s I’m present.]

[I understand, are we still starting the song that I’m meant to perform by the end of the month period on Monday as well?]

Sara asked inquisitively.

[Yes, and I’ve already chosen the song...]

Jennifer smiled mysteriously as Sara’s eyes darted to hers in question, the eagerness in her eyes to learn what song had been picked apparent in those dark blue globes. Jennifer couldn't hold out on such inquisitive eyes for long and finally gave up in good time:

[The song is Pink Spring.]

[Pink Spring?...]

Though paused as a question, Sara seemed to immediately recognise the song as she muttered beneath her breath.

[You mean the song by Blossom.]

[Bingo!]

Jennifer quipped, a big smile forming her features.

[From our very own Petal Entertainment, the co-ed idol group Blossom. It’s the song that made them as big as they currently are; and being a song by a co-ed group, the song beautifully intertwines the vocals of both female singers and male singers throughout the song. Perfect for you, whose singing voice can pass for either one; to a certain extent, at least.]

[B-but…]

Sara stuttered, struggling to speak out her doubts:

[…Doesn’t that song have rapping? I c-can’t rap!]

[Indeed, as far as I know, you can’t rap. Not yet anyway.]

Jennifer smirked, confidence in her eyes.

[It’s only a short verse anyway, but I’d like you to give it a shot, okay?]

[O-okay, but I’ve never ever tried rapping before…]

Sara mumbled, unable to hide her worries.

[Like everything else, I’m not asking you to master all of these skills. We’re building up the foundation here. Anyway, I’ve kept you here long enough and you should probably start packing up if you don’t want to miss the next bus.]

Jennifer chuckled, turning into laughter at Sara's frantic realisation at her words; the other girl's eyes almost bugging out of their sockets when she did a double-take on the time.

[Ah, dammit. I-I need to get going!]

Sara gasped, rushing up unhindered this time, immediately darting to pack her stuff back in her backpack.

[Hey, make sure to maintain your vocal exercises over the weekend, but don’t overexert yourself!]

Jennifer lectured one last time as Sara was rushing out the door, receiving a hurried affirmation of being heard before the door closed behind her retreating back.

Jennifer Wallace simply shook her head and laughed as she walked over to pack away her own items…