Chapter 14: Chapter 14

In my bedroom,

"I noticed senior Caleb sending you off in front of the home. you have a competition tomorrow, but you're hanging around with him. What about taking the competition phase so seriously? Did it evolve over time? You entered the contest to prove them wrong, but now what? Is this your new method of proving yourself to them?"

Andrew was never upset at me before. This was the first time, and it was terrifying.

"I apologise."

I couldn't think of anything else to say to him. I don't even know how to adequately apologise to him since it's my first time being in a situationp like this with him.

I took out my guitar and began practising to appease him.

"What are you up to?"

"Rehearsing for tomorrow's competition."

He exhaled a sigh and added, "It appears that you did not understand what I was saying. You have a competition tomorrow, so rest up." And leaped out my window.

The following day,

Today is the music competition. When I awoke from my sleep, all I could think about was the competition.

I sang the tune I'm going to sing while strumming the guitar in the shower. It sounded fantastic, but I'm concerned about how it will play out on stage. I'm hoping it works out as well as I practised.

Mom, at the dinner table, "Isn't today your music competition? Can I come and look at it?"

"Outsiders are not permitted, Mom."

"Am I an outcast? Your mommy is me. What makes you think I'm an outsider?"

"Mom, you're still an outsider at college. No worries, I'll notify you as soon as the results are available, okay?"

She smiled and poured milk into my breakfast bowl.

Dad, "Is that bowl big enough for you? Are you attempting to go on another diet? You're going to perform on stage. Do you not require energy for that?" He turned to mother and inquired, "What's the point of giving her cereal? Serve some steak and vegetables to her."

I said, "Dad, if I eat meat and vegetables, I'll sleep on the stage. Cereals are more than sufficient for me today. We'll consume a lot of beef after the competition is over." And then he offered a thumbs up.

"All the best for the contest," mom and dad said as I was leaving for college.

"Thank you very much, Mom and Dad. Love ya." I thanked them and headed off to college.

At university,

While walking through the college, I noticed a large mass of people preparing the venue for the music competition in the playground. There was already a stage put up yesterday, and they're working on the decor and table for the judges, as well as the seating arrangement for the spectators. I can't believe I'll be singing on that stage in just a few hours.

Hannah was standing with the members of the music club when I noticed her.

Jacob, senior "How are you doing today?"

"I'm nervous."

He answered with a smile, "Don't be. I heard your music. It's fine. Don't be afraid. Is this your first time entering the competition?"

I nodded and added, "I've never performed on stage before too, senior. And from here, this stage appears like a brook."

"Because you've never been on stage, pretend you're standing in front of them when standing backstage and practise your song. Do the same when you exit backstage. I hope it works for you since it worked for me."

"Thank you very much, senior Jacob. It was quite good to hear it, I'm not sure whether I could accomplish it, but thank you."

Hannah hugged me quickly and whispered, "It's your special day, darling. Take over the stage. You are the one who will win this competition."

"Thank you."

"What gives you that worried look?"

"I guess because I'm going to perform in front of the entire college."

She grinned and said quietly, "You've got this. Demonstrate to them that you have talent and that your talent has gotten you here. It's your time."

I gave her a nod.

"Give your best," senior Caleb said as he handed me flowers.

I thanked him for the flowers when I received them.

Hannah, "What exactly is going on here? Did you ever accept him?"

"No, we just became friends."

Caleb, senior "But I'm still after her."

Hannah, "You're perplexing me. What is the nature of your relationship? Tell me plainly."

When I attempted to speak it, senior Caleb cut me off and said, "I'm going to say it. It will be better than yours." And then he turned to Hannah and said, "Amelia considers me a friend. But I'm not. Because She's the girl I'm interested in."

"Why are you making her more confused?" I asked senior Caleb.

Senior Caleb chuckled, so I told Hannah, "I labelled him as a friend, but he's not taking it, stating he likes me more than a friend so i let it go."

Hannah, "I'm still not getting it."

"Then something is wrong with your head." And flicked her on the brow.

Jacob, senior "Change your clothes and return to the stage in ten minutes."

I nodded and went to the restroom to change my clothes.

After changing, I arrived at the location, which was ready to begin. I took Hannah's guitar and waited with senior Caleb, senior Jacob, Lance, and Hannah.

I couldn't find Andrew anywhere when I glanced around. What happened to him? Why hasn't he arrived yet? I became agitated because I couldn't find him in the crowd.

While I was scanning the crowd for Andrew, senior Jacob replied, "Make your way backstage. It will be your turn at the appropriate time."

When I tried to leave, everyone applauded and I was led to the stage.

I did as senior Jacob instructed me backstage. It made me anxious about the competition. I peered through and took in the scene. What happened to Andrew?

The competition began. The host introduced the music competition, informed the audience about the judges, and welcomed everyone to the competition. They began calling out the names of the participants one by one. I saw and heard the participants perform on stage while being in the backstage. They're really cool. Can I do it? Yes! I can do it! I need to win this contest and show them that I was chosen solely on the basis of my talent.

They called out my name.

I took my guitar and made my way from backstage to the front. I noticed a large throng assembled in front of the stage. Woah! I have never seen so many people in my entire life. This is my first time in front of a large crowd. Everyone's eyes were on me when I took a glimpse, as if they were waiting for something.

"You may begin your act," one of the judges stated.

I nodded and took the guitar pick which Ash had given me and began playing the melody, and soon I began singing the song I'd been practising these days. While I was singing, I saw Andrew among the crowd. I felt like I had more watts of power inside me when I saw Andrew. The song ended, and I bowed in front of everyone, thanking them for giving me the opportunity to sing on stage.

When my turn was done, I went backstage.

Hannah quickly hugged me and remarked, "That was very cool! You absolutely dominated the stage, girl!"

"Thank you."

Others were seen with her backstage.

Jacob, senior "You performed a good job."

Caleb, senior "There are no words. That was fantastic."

"Thank you," I answered with a smile.

I'm desperate to see Andrew right now.

I told them, I continued "I'm feeling stuffy here. Can we go up to the front?"

Hannah, "Yeah, let's go, Let's get started. It's quite packed here."

I followed Hannah to the front of the stage and noticed Andrew standing among the crowd.

We were all standing together. While everyone was focused on the other participants, I stepped closer to Andrew. He approached me and said, "You performed well."

With a smile on my face, I nodded to him.

After the participants had finished their songs, the judges began to debate among themselves about the winners.

Caleb, senior "Are you worried?"

"A lot."

"I'm here," he murmured as he took my hand in his.

After a while, the judges took the stage, still thinking over their decisions.

According to one of the judges, "I haven't seen such abilities in years. Everyone was gifted in their own unique way. Some excelled in saxophone, piano, flute, guitar, and a variety of other instruments. Some even sung songs while playing the instrument, which astounded us."

Yet another judge, "Everyone was excellent, as Ms Harris indicated, but we can't award prizes to everyone, right? Among the participants today, we selected a few individuals that truly impressed us. So, let us now tell you their names. Candy from the medicine faculty takes third place."

Everyone applauded and clapped for the girl. They presented a certificate and a medal to the girl they mentioned on stage.

"And the second place goes to... Amelia Scott from the Western Music Faculty," the judges concluded.

Did they just call out my name? Did I just win? While I was stunned, senior Caleb stated, "Proceed to the stage. They're calling out to you."

I proceeded to the stage, accepted the certificate and medal from them, smiled for a photo, and returned to my pals.

Hannah hugged me and exclaimed, "I knew you'd do it!" And kissed me on the cheek.

Senior Jacob hugged me quickly and said, "You proved everyone, including myself, wrong. And I'm glad to be mistaken."

I gave him a kind grin.

Caleb, senior "May I kiss you on the cheek too?"

"You can give me a hug," I said as I shook my head and opened my arms.

He grinned at me and hugged me.

Lance hugged me quickly and added, "You've been my motivation that we can study anything we want if we really want to."

"Woah. That's a great line, Lance."

"I'm surprised as well. I had no idea I had it with me."

I noticed Andrew when everyone else was smiling and having a good time.

He approached me while staring at me. Was he going to give me a hug like everyone else? Is my hidden crush going to give me a hug finally? Is it true that it will happen today? My heart hammered loudly as he approached, causing me to breathe heavily. Let me breathe for a moment.

Andrew was standing in front of me. A smile formed in the corner of his lips, and he extended his hand to shake mine. I shook his hand without reluctance.

"Your efforts are rewarded."

I gave him a nod.

He walked away from where he had been standing before the handshake. Even if there wasn't a hug, I did have a little moment with him. For the first time, I accidentally touched his hand. It made me happier than coming in second place in the music competition.

After the music competition, Hannah, Lance, senior Caleb, and I gathered in the college's entryway and said our goodbyes.

When Lance and Hannah went, senior Caleb remained and told them, "You did it. No one will mention the rumour again because they will be preoccupied with the contest."

"Yeah," I answered with a smile. I'm pleased, but I came in second."

"Hey, do you realise how difficult it is to come in second place in this contest? It's a difficult competition to win. You won because of your talent. There are no categories for winners. Today's winner was whoever participated. Everyone worked as hard as you did and delivered an outstanding performance in front of the college. As a result, everyone came out on top. You, too, are a winner."

I gave him a kind grin.

"What exactly is it?"

"You're not flirting, but I have to say you're a fantastic public speaker. I was disappointed about finishing second, but after hearing from you, it feels like I won today's music event, and I'm proud of it."

"I'm glad I helped you feel better," he patted me on the back.

The sky rumbled, and lightning flashed in the clouds.

Caleb, senior "I believe it is going to rain, may I drop you off at your house?"

"It's all right. There was no mention of rain in today's forecast, so it will not rain. I'll get started. Senior, I'll see you tomorrow."

After saying my goodbyes, I headed to the bus terminal, pleased with my second-place finish. I should notify my parents about this. When I took out my phone to call them, a drop of water landed on it.

Huh? I raised my eyes to the sky and wiped the water drop from my phone. It suddenly began to rain heavily, forcing me to flee for cover.

I dashed to the bus station for safety. Sh*t! I'm completely saturated. When I glance up towards the sky, it doesn't appear to be slowing down any time soon. While I was waiting for the bus, I noticed someone racing towards the bus terminal with their jacket covering their head.

That individual approached me and removed the Jacket from his head.

"Andrew?"

"Amelia, what are you doing here? Didn't you go with senior Caleb? What keeps you here?"

"I became engrossed in the rain. So, how about you? Where's your bike?" I inquired, looking around.

"The muffler became clogged with water and stopped moving."

"What?"

"Muffler. Which allows air to escape. The smoke."

I nodded and inquired, "You parked your bike in the middle of the street? What if it is stolen?"

"I parked it inside a store where it will be safe. We've been waiting for more than 10 minutes, but no bus has arrived."

I shook my head and stated, "Perhaps it's because of the rain. Take a look for yourself, it's not raining. It's pouring cats and dogs outside. I believe we'll have to stay till the rain stops."

I sat down and rested my back against the seat. Because it was raining heavily and the winds were blowing colder, I shivered in the rain.

Andrew sat next me, staring out the window at the rain. Despite the cold, I feel warm being with him. It's reminiscent of a movie scenario in which the male and female leads are caught in the rain and spend time together under a shelter. While I was looking at him, he abruptly turned, causing me to shift my sight away from him. I kept staring at him even after he turned away. I'm not sure when I'll get another chance to be this close to him, but I'm enjoying every moment with him. I'm curious how you manage to look so good even after getting soaked in the rain. I laughed to myself.

"What are you grinning about?"

Is he aware of my smile? What should I say at this point?

"I was considering the competition. Even after only a few days of practice, I never expected to come in second place."

"Because you have a great teacher."

I shared his laughter and thanked him for teaching me.

Suddenly, an automobile stopped in front of the bus terminal, and it resembled my father's car. What the fuck is this? Is that my father? He'll finish me off if he sees me and Andrew together. I stood up, terrified, and the window slid down. "Ash?" I noticed. It was my brother who called. For a brief period, I felt as if my heart had stopped beating.