An off note. And another. His shivering gotten worse and he cannot continue.
Embarrassed, he turns towards his friends. They nudge him forward still.

An off note, still another, what that was easy became torturous. He never felt more vulnerable.

He cringed for his friends as they cringed for him.

Once more, and another. The simple notes are coming back to him now. Staggering, and full of mistakes, but comprehensible now. He delights his simple victory. He plays it a bit faster.

His friends cheered him on.

Mustering courage, he tries a different song, one easier still. But he fails.
Losing courage, trembling again, he begs to end (although deep down he wanted to keep at it still)

It ends and all departed. He was left with himself - still shivering, quite embarrassed, yet very much at ease.

Deep down he rejoices.

He rejoices that his vulnerability is laid for all to see. He rejoices that he shared being awkward with his closest friends. Deep down he rejoices that they saw his failure.

He dreams. He dreams of playing it better.