The contest

CHAPTER TWENTY _ TWO
AVRIL
I had mixed feelings about Chris coming to our house but what reason would Jumai give that Chris shouldn't attend her party?
"Seems like you do not like the either my darling?" Mom asked Jumai.
I winked at Jumai in approval of the decision.
"No.. not exactly mom, it's fine if they can make it", Jumai said to mom smiling.
"That's my girl", mom replied squeezing Jumai's right finger.
Jumai stared at me and we both smiled.
~
Finally, D_ day was here, and students were running helter-skelter at YTH.
The leading school had always been the venue for each year's event.
The school was looking very colourful. Some competitors were doing their final rehearsals while others were just chatting and laughing happily.
A particular dance team had invited Sally and me to join them, I knew I was very good at it but wasn't interested in any stress or competition. I danced for fun...
I sighted the group having their final rehearsals. I saw my best friend. No, my ex-best friend forcing things and I couldn't help but laugh.
'If that is how to dance then no one will be a dancer', I thought and chuckled.
The event started and the dance teams were the first to be called on stage.
Two dance groups from YTH and five other schools and one dance team from the remaining four.
Only ten schools qualified for the talent hunt... Twenty schools are selected yearly and ten best will be picked from them according to their performance during the selection time.
Sally's group were the 7th to participate... Everyone had a good laugh as almost all the girls acted like dead robots during the break dance.
Watching my ex-best friend force things on stage was one thing that tickled me so much. My ribs were tearing from laughing.
It was as if only Sally was on the stage as I fixed my gaze on her. She knew I was laughing at her and I knew she was angry.
The football team and basketball team were playing on the field and court respectively. They had their judges there who would come up with the results afterwards.
I felt someone's hand wrap around my shoulder, I turned around to see who it was.
A wide smile formed on my face as I saw Ariel standing behind me.
"How was it?" I asked excitedly.
"Wait until the result is announced", he replied and sat beside me.
Many people came to display different kinds of talents, some were boring, some were interesting, while others were just there but all I knew was I was having a really good time.
Finally, it was time for the Favourite 3 to perform, the best competitors ever! The best musicians and instrumentalists.
CHRIS
initially, all I wanted to do was win, that was all the band also wanted.
But this time around I walked to the stage and the only thing on my mind was Avril. I no longer want to just win I wanted to win for Avril, I wanted to impress her.
Shouts for rejoicing were heard from different corners of the hall, and only a few people booed.
They weren't only screaming at the sight of the most talented musicians in the competition ground but because the most handsome men they have ever set eyes on stood in front of them.
We were smiling gracefully..... We had this charming smile that'd charm anyone and everyone.
The mike stood in front of us while we heard our instruments standing right behind it, except Daniel who sat in front of his piano, a small mike also stood in front of him.
I started with my violin, and the crowd divided in two at the sound of my violin... I had the magic I knew where to touch it to capture everyone's soul.
I played the violin for a minute ignoring the continuous shout and screams of praise and booing from the crowd.
Daniel and Andrew joined with their instruments, Daniel played the piano while Andrew did his magic using his guilter.. the shouts increased.
I was the first to open my mouth, when I sang the first verse with my angelic voice I saw almost everyone in the crowd standing up with shouts of praise, and more and more voices were heard from the crowd.
Daniel and Andrew joined me in singing and students started returning to their seats although they were still screaming at the top of their voices.
We didn't only sing, we demonstrated with some dance steps, break dance wasn't excluded... Daniel who sat on a stool in front of the piano wasn't left behind as he knew how to dance even in front of the keyboard.
He didn't have to sit throughout the performance as he raised his mike and stood up so he can twist his body with ease.
The bouncers tried to control them but it was really difficult since we had up to nine thousand students from the ten schools.
AVRIL
My heart melted at the sound of Chris's voice, it seemed as if he sang those first lines to me.
π "When I look into your eyes all I see is love". π
π "When my heart beats, it beats only for your love" π
π "If only I could tell you, all of me is yours" π
π "scared that I may lose you, don't want to miss your touch" π
I didn't realize I was smiling sheepishly... I was staring at Chris alone and smiling sheepishly imagining him singing it to me alone in his embrace... I imagined being alone with Chris while he played the violin and sang to me.
Claps from students brought me back to reality. They were done with their song.
Students were clapping and cheering, some jumped for joy.
We were served refreshments by about fifty waiters while the results were being compiled.
Everyone was in tension waiting anxiously for the results to be announced.
As refreshments were served students were seen tearing their nylons of biscuits and opening their drinks...
"I just can't wait for all this to be over, Jumai's party tomorrow is the only thing on my mind right now", Ariel said.
"You want it to be over? I don't I am already enjoying myself hear", I said tearing my nylon of biscuit.
"You don't yet you refused to participate in anything", Ariel said and I punched his chest.
"I do not want to participate in anything, I don't know why you are attacking me?" I asked Ariel and he smiled.
"You are only hiding your talent, why not show it to the world?" Ariel asked.
"I am not interested", I replied.
"If you hide your talent you are only killing it", Ariel said.
"Thanks, but I am not interested", I replied.
Finally, the Judge took the mike and began...
"We have five sets of winners today and I will be calling them from the bottom to the top".
Cheers and shouts were heard...
I couldn't wait for the results to be announced, my heartbeat increased as I prayed silently for the YTH basketball team to be among the five sets of winners.
"The fifth is the athlete team from YTH they call themselves young athletes their performance was really awesome, I also was astonished at the way they moved their body and twisted it".
the athlete group jumped up in excitement as their fans cheered and clapped for them.
"The fourth is the dance group from Midfield high school, those dancers are talented let's give them a round of applause".
Shouts from the school participants and representatives were heard... I stared at Sally with scorn and she looked away immediately.
I was angry that YTH couldn't win a common dance competition. "If only I participated", I said and hissed aloud.
"Why did you not?" Ariel asked me and I rolled my eyes at him.
"Now the third will go to the best basketball team in the history of this competition, no school has ever won with more than a hundred points just 10 mins into the match. That team is no other but YTH basketball team", the judge announced.
The whole school went wide in excitement, I turned to Ariel and hugged him.
"Congratulations brother, you are really doing well. Mom and dad will be so proud of you", I whispered in his ear.
"The second is no other but YTHS Bela group the bale dancers, their dance steps were awesome I must confess.
Shouts were heard from different corners of the school.
"Now let's announce them with honoraries, we all know who topped our list, the best singers ever, the best instrumentalists, the best dancers, The favourite three of YTH!!"
Shouts of celebration were heard all over the place, students were dancing and singing praises of their supporting team.
"Congratulations Ariel", I said once again and hugged Ariel.
"Thank you sis", he replied hugging me back.
The celebration continued, shouts and screams of joy and happiness filled the air...
Not long after we heard a loud scream from the back seat... We heard another faint groan then the shouts of rejoicing turned into a cry for help... Students were shouting, crying and running around..
The competition which started off with so much joy is about to end in tears.
I stood up stretching my neck to see what it was that was making the students scream and run for help.