Vern has always wanted to learn how to read music, it's one of her dreams, but she feels that she is too old to try and attempt something new, she has always had little confidence in herself when developing new skills, but this time she wants to try and make something out of her interest. ¨Am I trying hard enough?¨ Vern would ask herself ¨Anyone else would be done with this piece by now¨ she would complain  

¨Am i trying hard enough?¨

Vern was now 18 years old, she graduated high school early to pursue a career in science, but she decided that she wanted to take some music classes on the side to see if her skill would grow. The first class she enrolled in was Music composition, there, she met her professor. His name was Mr.Troy.

On the first day of her music course, she realized that she was much farther behind everyone in her class, this made her feel quite upset until she noticed another person in the class who looked just like her, confused. ¨Hey, do you know what note this is?¨ Vern asked, trying to determine if her suspicion was true. ¨Oh, wow, I think it might be a G, or an F, or maybe a G-flat?¨ The girl responded back, she looked really embarrassed. Verns suspicions were true after all.

¨Maybe a G-Flat?¨

A few weeks into the class Vern sat next to Akilah, the girl who was once confused, now steadily improving and leaving Vern in the dust. Vern and Akilah were very good friends already, but Vern couldn't help but feel slightly jealous of Akilahs natural ability. Vern decided that she wanted to see if she could ask Mr.Troy for help, Akilah encouraged her ¨As soon as he helps you I think you will get it, then you can really start!¨ Vern was hopeful, but nervous to ask for assistance. 

¨As soon as he helps you I think you will get it, then you can really start!¨

¨Thank you Akilah¨

Mr.Troy looked at her like she was stupid, he looked as if she had asked him how to solve a sentence long math problem. ¨What do you mean? This is all basics, how could you not understand these concepts?¨ Vern tried explaining that she has never learned how to read music and never learned what notes are, but Mr.Troy was upset with her. ¨I cant believe that you signed up for a class that you clearly are not good enough for, you will never be the musician you want, you are inexplicably talentless¨

¨Inexplicably talentless¨

Maybe Mr. Troy's words brought Vern to her senses, after all, she was stupid to think that she could really do this. Vern sat down the next day in class and told Akilah everything. Akilah was incredibly upset, she couldn't imagine ever saying that to a student if she was a teacher. ¨Dont you listen to him, even if you think you arent good enough I know you will improve eventually!¨ ¨Its no use¨ Vern sighed ¨Im going to drop out I think, I'm wasting everyone's time.¨ Vern looked down at her feet.

¨It´s no use¨

¨Don't listen to him¨

¨Vern¨ Mr.Troy yelled. Vern looked up to see him staring directly at her. ¨I thought you were not coming today, especially not after our talk.¨ She looked to Akilah and then back at him. ¨So, if you are willing to stay here, I'm sure you are willing to be featured in our next school showcase¨ Mr.Troy smirked condescendingly. Before Vern could object he turned around and wrote her name on the board. ¨What a good sport¨ He projected, the chalk squeaking on the board. The class turned to Vern who was mortified.

¨Vern! I thought you were not coming today!¨

¨Akilah what do I do?" Vern panicked. Akilah was organizing her side of the dorm room, they had decided to get a room together after Akilahs roommate up and left. ¨Vern, I really don't know what to do, I can't believe he did that to you, in front of the entire class as well! That's something I'm definitely mentioning to the dean¨ Akilah said writing it down. ¨He is trying to embarrass me, well I don't think I can really quit now, he will hate me even more.¨ Akilah glanced over to Vern ¨I can help you¨ she sat down next to Vern. ¨Lets start here¨

¨Vern, I don't know what to do.¨

¨I don't think I can really quit now.¨