"You have real talent," she added, voice dropping a little, like she didn't want the whole room hearing this next part. "I'll be speaking with your teacher. We need to make sure you're given opportunities—the kind you deserve."
Jaylen nodded, not trusting himself to speak. His heart hammered against his ribs like it wanted to escape. From the side of the gym, Mrs. Parker gave him a thumbs-up, so enthusiastic it almost knocked her purse off her shoulder.
Meanwhile, Brandon shuffled backward, trying to melt into the crowd. Colton caught his arm, muttering under his breath, but Brandon shook him off and disappeared toward the refreshment tables.
The energy in the room shifted. Kids who wouldn't have glanced twice at Jaylen twenty minutes ago now smiled at him, nodded at him like he was someone worth knowing. A short boy with glasses even ran up and said, "Dude, that was insane! Where'd you learn to play like that?"
Jaylen shrugged, feeling a shy grin stretch across his face. "Just practice, I guess."
More kids gathered around him, asking questions: What songs could he play? Could he teach them? Did he take lessons somewhere?
"No lessons," Jaylen said simply. "I just play."
One mom leaned down and whispered to her daughter loud enough for Jaylen to hear, "You see, talent has nothing to do with money."
It was a small comment; most people probably didn't even catch it, but to Jaylen it meant everything. For the first time all day, he didn't feel like he didn't belong. He didn't feel like the poor kid crashing a rich kid's party. He felt like himself, and that was enough.