If you would like to hear what "Concerto for Two Violins in D minor, 1st Movement" (J.S. Bach) sounds like, you may listen via video link :) [from Suzuki, Book 4, some of you may recognize it]

(the girl is playing the violin one and the man is playing violin two)

***

A life filled with competition is always hard. There would be people against you, there for you, and people that would betray you. Sometimes, you would be lucky to have known a person who wasn't jealous of your talent. Sometimes, you would be lucky to have even friends who support you. Not all things would fall perfectly for you, [Name].

***

"May I have your attention?" Judge Stanley called from the front of the stage. "I would like to discuss the details of the second round before we go into it." He cleared his throat and soon the the auditorium was quiet. "This round is completely different from previous Masquerade competitions. This consists of partners."

The audience interrupted Mr. Stanley with confused murmurs and outraged claims. "But there are only five people, one of them would be alone!" Someone shouted.

"Silence!" Mr. Stanley Gleeful's voice echoed throughout the room and immediately everyone stopped talking, quiet enough to hear a pin drop. "One of the contestants have been murdered in her own home: Rebecca. The news was unexpected since the information hasn't come to us until before this very moment. Her death was a day ago."

You covered your mouth in shock. Murder? No way. It's been around a day since you've seen the girl from the first round!

"And so we have only four contestants left. Within your partners, you must sightread a duet assigned by me." Mr. Stanley continued. "You all are probably thinking how we might be choosing the final two contestants for the last round. My answer to that is: The duet who plays the more successful piece will win. That is all." Concluding with that sentence, he left the stage.

"Hey [Name]! Hope you're doing good. The post's taken down, by the way." Allison greeted you with a smile. She hardly seemed concerned about Rebecca and her death.

"Ah, thank you," you responded happily. So far, no one seemed to take a move on you.

"Oh." Allison looked around, concerned. "Where did Pacifica and Gideon go?"

"They went on an," you coughed pointedly, "on an adventure."

Allison nodded, understanding the hidden meaning. Pacifica's and Gideon's mission was very important. Turns out, the information wasn't in Gideon's "Journal 3" and instead in the other journals. Their mission is to find the other two and figure out why the journals were made.

"The Second Round will commence! Alicia, please come up with your partner, Sebastian," one of the judges announced.

And it starts.

***

Alicia's and Sebastian's performance was outstanding, surprisingly.

It's also pretty cool to have a piano accompanist to play with you in this second round too.

You tried not to pity yourself. You knew that they were incredibly good at the violin and them as partners was a perfect fit. Knowing that you aren't comfortable with playing with someone, you let fear take over. Beating this competition and earning the prize money is your one ticket to freedom. Hopefully, no one is in the way of stealing it away from you.

Sighing, you knew that you were being selfish. That you're trying to push others away to get everything for yourself. But it was technically the only plan you can only think of.

You jolted back into reality with the loud voice of Mr. Stanley on stage. "Lauren and Mason, what you both will be playing is J.S. Bach's Concerto for Two Violins in D Minor, 1st movement."

You curiously looked at the sheet music in front of you. Of course! You've seen this in the past. It's in one of the Suzuki books. The five-page song sat on two stands.

"Well, would you like to be the violin one or two, 'Mason?'" You say as you glance at him. Please say two, please say two, please say two-

"I'll take two, Lauren. I wouldn't want to steal your spotlight from the lady."

You hid a smile. "Why thank you, Mason."

"Your accompanist will be my niece, Miss Mabel Gleeful. And I suppose you don't need a page turner," Mr. Stanley said. "You may begin when you're ready."

You gaped at Mabel. Dipper's twin sister was a pianist? She didn't seem to be a musical type... more like the snobbish type but anyone would think that at first. You've heard that her closet was bigger than several of her mansion's room's put together. The amount of closet space she has is unsurprising honestly.

"Ready?" Mason asked you. You nodded in response.

Mason started off the first part of the song which was pretty easy. You waited four measures before jumping in. There are long ties in the song, but that's where the other person would "jump" in to cover the gap. I guess you could call them trade-offs. The song is filled with sixteenth notes and occasional shifting. There would be times where you would be proved strongest- and then have Mason take over your strength. That's what duets are for, right? A test of your emotions and your craving to become a winner.

Sadly, this duet does not need rivals but more of a friendship.

The piano could be heard in the background but not loud enough to overcome you both. Mabel actually had some talent in the piano, though. She knew how to use dynamics clearly and how she placed herself in the music using her feelings.

Finally the duet ended with a fermata on the D on both of your A strings. You nodded at Mason and both of you stopped at the same time along with the piano.

A loud applause greeted both of you. It wasn't your best since you barely had any experience in doing a duet with another person. You only did solos and the only "partner" you've ever had are piano accompanists.

"As expected, you played pretty well, Lauren," Mason said once you both went backstage. "It would be hard to beat you if we win this round."

"Same for you," you said grimly. You looked at Mason thoughtfully. "You don't live here, do you? I haven't seen you in this town before."

"I actually do." He smirked at you, his eyes twinkling. "But it would be foolish to say where I live."

You smiled at that. "Of course. We should meet up some time after this masquerade competition, it seems like we could be great friends."

"Promising."

***

Excitedly, you looked up at the wall and saw the two names that have passed the second round:

Lauren and Mason

Piece of cake. The round was easy even if the other duet was good. The two of you were much more advanced in skill, you think. It would be strange if you both didn't pass. But, now you were rivals again. The third round will be in a week from now meaning that you now have free time with your friends.

"[Na- I mean, Lauren!" Pacifica and Gideon came running towards you quickly.

You grinned at them and clasped your hands together. "Oh hey guys! I've passed the second round. How have you been?"

"No time, we found out something that we shouldn't have seen-" Pacifica grabbed ahold of your hand. "You must of heard about Rebecca's murder, right? The gems that the Gleeful twins wear are associated with her death- and someone else."

"It's-" Gideon began.

"What's going on?" Allison interrupted him, questioning eyes greeted your gaze.

"Nothing," Pacifica said quickly. "We just wanted to congratulate, well, Lauren."

You looked at Pacifica, confused. Why wasn't she telling Allison about what they found out? "Well," you said, changing the topic. "Want to head out for some ice cream?" You asked them hopefully.

Pacifica and Gideon looked at each other worriedly. "Another time." Gideon told you. "We have something to do after."

Allison raised an eyebrow. "Alright then..." Allison said when the two cousins rushed off once more. She then looked at you apologetically. "I also have something else to do, sorry."

"It's fine. Well, I'll see you at school!" You said and waved. Looking around you looked for a certain black-haired boy but to no avail, you couldn't find him. Sighing, you walked off into the night.