The voice cut through the soft melody like a knife. Jaylen's fingers froze above the keys. Slowly, he turned his head. Brandon was standing a few feet away now, arms crossed, wearing a smirk so wide it looked painful.
"You can't just touch that," Brandon said loudly, making sure everyone nearby could hear. "That's a Steinway. Costs more than your whole house."
Laughter bubbled up from the small crowd forming behind him.
Jaylen stood up quickly, hands stiff at his sides. His mouth opened, then shut again. He didn't know what to say.
"I mean, come on," Brandon added, turning to his friends for backup. "Bet he thought it was one of those fake pianos you see in Walmart or something."
More laughter, louder this time. Even a few parents nearby smiled awkwardly, not stepping in.
Jaylen's ears burned. He wanted the ground to open up and swallow him whole. He wasn't stupid. He wasn't trying to break anything. He just... he just wanted to play.
"Maybe if you ask real nice, someone will buy you one for Christmas," Colton said, nudging Brandon, who snorted.
Jaylen stared down at his shoes: dirty laces, worn rubber soles. He wasn't wearing fancy loafers like them. He wasn't even supposed to be here, not really.
Behind him, someone muttered, "Where's his teacher?"