|Vanez arnaez|
Cheers and howls were everywhere. while standing at the center stage with drecco as my partner, holding silly pompoms with a smile glued to my face, i feel different.
it's like i'm a new me and i realized this isn't bad at all. i feel so overwhelmed and my heart was continuously melting by their warm welcome. especially when i tore my gaze upon rocelia, the only person i knew who's believing and feeding me with her full support.
"go, section 8! go, pretty van!" amidst of boos and cheers, i can still hear her tiny voice, clear and coherent.
i can feel my lips' nearly going numb because of the smile i plastered since earlier at the back stage, greeting back some participants, showing i'm grateful even i'm really not, accepting their compliments and positive feedbacks even deep inside i know it was all untrue and their unbothered looks that were purely façade.
i almost give up when i tried wearing the sports attire my dad gave me because of the walls i have built so high. but remembering my classmates, their chanting cheers, their hoping faces was flashing back in my mind, and their voices in chorus was echoing repeatedly... i'm taken aback.
oh, i cannot really fail them.
the pressure is literally on my shoulder. when a hand suddenly pulled me closer, holding my waist lightly but demanding.
"what are you doing?" i asked drecco, under my fake smile in front of everyone.
"i want my partner to stick with me closely, you're being distant and it's dreary." his voice seems so cool.
my brows almost palpitate.
and we did some crazy poses before the emcee announced the next part of the program.
since we're the last section, when me and drecco went back at the backstage, other participants are already ready for the talent portion. meanwhile, drecco shrugs his shoulder as if being late was never been his concern. reckless jerk.
rocelia suddenly appeared. she happily ran towards me, and i can't help but to roll my eyes when there's her never-ending praises about my looks and everything. she brought me to the nearest side.
"you should see yourself earlier! oh my god, you look so fine, girl!" i wanna massage my temple because i'm quite shy. she's just showering me her compliments with the other participants around!
"oh c'mon, lia. i know i'm pretty but don't be so nosy, let's just stay lowkey..."
her eyes glimmered as she giggled."what a confident. don't worry, after the event, i'm gonna show you your shots i have taken!" she then, winked.
"yeah, yeah..."
because she volunteered to be my personal make-up artist, she started giving me retouch. she's curling my hair, i'm staring at my face on the mini mirror i'm holfing. the event continues, the loud music coming from the side-to-side gigantic speaker and the emcees energized voice was echoing thru the curtains.
as long as i want to stay calm, i can't. the loud throbs of my heart are the proof that i'm truly nervous. behind my smiles are the sweats on my trembling hand.
"still nervous?" lia's voice pulled me back to my senses.
i put down the mirror and just sighed.
"can't blame you since we're not on the same shoes," she said,"however, just go with the flow. enjoy the event and don't think of it as a competition. instead, be natural, yourself is your great competitor." that made me look up to her.
and she gave me her usual light smile. i smiled back, nod my head slowly and repeatedly.
right. why am i worrying too much? all i have to do is to enjoy the event and act natural. i shouldn't force myself to be kind for them to like me.
"back to the main part of event, let's all welcome again the participants of mr. and ms. intramurals for the talent portion!" emcee announced.
in lined, we walked back to stage along with our props again. the eerie noises filled enveloped us. not to take it for too long, the segment started with the first ever and most valued section, of course, special science class. we remained at the side while watching their talents. i felt nervous even more.
from the last set of section ssc, their pair did the ballroom dance. everyone is fascinated by their performance and i can't deny how it impacted me, too. they gained flying claps and praises from the audience after they bowed their heads.
i bit my lip.
"next, the pair of star section a!"
azelyn and her partner went out and placed on the center stage. she then, took the guitar and sat on the chair, beside her is the piano stand where her partner occupied. the spotlight is covering them. the mellow music was now starting, she looked down her guitar and started strumming it same as how her partner played with the piano keys. the whole place became quiet, we can only hear azelyn's sweet voice and enticing background music.
it's as if, everyone was being caged by mesmeric performance. she's strumming the guitar so well that it suits her.
last stanza and the symphony has ended. they both stood up and bowed their heads. everybody gave them a round of applause. some are standing ovation. somehow, i felt small and uncomfortable.
what's my talent, anyway? do i have any?
a hand tapped my shoulder."i'll play the guitar while you'll sing. is that alright?"
"i will... what?" i turned to drecco.
"sing. you will sing, babes. don't tell me you don't know how to sing even a single song?" he said in amusement.
i pursed my lips."i know how to sing..."
"oh, that's great! we don't have a problem anymore!"
but i don't know what should i fucking sing and i'm fucking shy to do it!
i nearly cried as the first pair before us finished their performance. my chest pumped audibly, drecco and i, went to the center stage, he placed his chair and sat there, holding his guitar. my trembling hands held the mic stand, my eyes surveyed thousands head in front of me, waiting eagerly.
i'm scared i will disappoint them.
i closed my eyes and focused on my heartbeat. i hummed for the introduction of the song i piqued, then opened my lips and sang the lines i think i can relate. lots of memories flashed through my mind, suddenly i feel like it was only me who's standing in the middle of the stage, without expecting eyes and murmurs, like i'm alone at all.
i ended the song the moment i opened my eyes. and to my unexpected surprise, i met his dazzling gaze. how come in the midst of the crowd, i will see him there, watching me intently with his crossed arms?
i took my gaze away when drecco held my hand, we bowed our heads and muttered 'thank you'.
an eerily claps overwhelmed us. the emcee called all the participants to line with us for the announcement of the winner. crowd shouts different names and in every minutes, i'm getting nervous more and more.
"Quiet, please!" the emcee started."our next mr. and ms. fest for this year are..." and oh well, the awaited drum rolls inserted to make the atmosphere more intense.