"I stood outside for like twenty minutes yesterday."
"Someone said he writes his own music."
"My cousin goes to Franklin Prep, and even they're talking about him."
Among those who took notice was Emily Parker, a junior who ran a music blog with a modest but dedicated following. One afternoon, she lingered in the hallway with her phone held discreetly at her side, recording the muffled sounds coming from the music room. That evening, she uploaded a blurry, low-quality video with the caption: Hidden Mozart in the hood.
The post gained traction quickly, first among Lincoln Heights students, then spreading to other schools in the district. Comments poured in:
Who is this guy?
Why isn't he in the school orchestra?
Someone get this man a record deal.
By Friday of that week, the video had over a thousand views—a substantial number for Emily's previously obscure blog.
During gym class, Troy Manning, the school's star quarterback, watched the video on a teammate's phone, his expression darkening with each passing second.
"What's wrong, Manning?" the teammate asked. "Jealous someone else is getting attention for once?"
Troy scoffed, tossing the phone back. "Please. Playing piano isn't exactly going to get him a scholarship." He looked across the gym to where Elijah was half-heartedly participating in a basketball drill. "Better watch those fingers, Beethoven!" he called out loudly enough for everyone to hear. "You'll need them for that comedy show!"
Several students laughed, but others exchanged uncomfortable glances. The tide of public opinion was beginning to shift.
After gym, Elijah was changing in the locker room when he overheard two students discussing Emily's blog post:
"Yo, have you seen that video of the piano kid? It's blowing up."