Chapter 22

What looks real can be fake, you never know.

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The aura around the school has something serious, yet strange in itself. The stage was set to find its winners for the last round, one more step towards the title of the competition, then everything will settle. Not, just in School, in fact in my life too.
These last days in school were hectic. And for my life? Well, things became a hurdle. Those things are happening which I never wanted to do in the first place because I closed those things of mine years ago in a subtle block of wooden!
Though I never wanted to re-open them, however, things happen, and at the last, I didn't have any choice left.

Today, I didn't waste any time on anything. Everything was getting smooth, like the way it was planned. I was going to do something extraordinary for myself. Whether I left it behind years ago, or not! Whatsoever, I'm gonna do it. And I know that I"ll be going in the third round at the end of the day.

So, you sure about it?

Perfect timing to kill the mood! I facepalmed myself. The performances are going to start in one hour! There will be 25 performances by those who cleared the first round! Each has five minutes to showcase their talent in that quality time of five minutes!

This is absurd! Absurd!!!! To judge someone's talent based on their five-minute Performance, only If things were in control of my hands, then these things were not be happening in the first place!

HA! But that can't happen? Can it?
Obviously no! Not everyone share, your ideas of moral values! I sighed.
Nevertheless, the arrangement is huge today of our school, there were several lights! And when I said several it doesn't mean that it had to be counted in numbers! Ok. I can't even count how many lights were around the stage. Only God knows from whichever direction they were settled. And the stage? Well, the stage looks magnificent in itself. I had never seen something like that in my life! This competition is something huge for our School.

I was standing at the corner, observing all the things with my mouth hanging open, a shiver went down through my body, to perform ahead of that many people on that big stage!

Okay. Calm down! Relax! You can do it.

Few! Yes, I need to relax! Don't need to hyperventilate everything is going to be fine. I assured myself.

I heard whispers, everywhere. It means people started coming here. Soon, I heard the sound of footsteps, footsteps in a hurried rhythm. They were coming here! All people.
I arrived there a little early in the morning to see things, to observe them, Which I can't do when this place becomes crowded.

The whole place gets filled by everyone, whether they are staff members, judges pannel, or students! All the participants were also here with their determined faces to win! And the supporters were also here to cheer all the participants to perform. Every one person of the School also come in this wonderful huge, enormously slightly big competition.
After seeing that much rush on the crowd, I became deadpanned! Nervous! Anxious! And everything that is on it.

"Oh my god! Oh my god! I can't do it! How? What? Why? What If I make fun of myself ahead of them? No!" I was talking with myself, and at the same time sweating! After seeing that many people! I never thought that -all these people will come! After all the years I put up a different side for myself, and now that's how I became used to it!

I can't do it!

Then run before all the things start.

Yes! I need to run before anyone gets up on stage, and announce names! I covered up my face with my hair and started running between crowed. All the shoulders were nudging me! Hurting me! Humiliating me! Bickering me, but I didn't care.
Just when I was about to reach the end door, my luck wasn't with me, and I bumped into someone! All my hairs were stuck in my face flying in every direction, tangled at the end. Great just great now I must be looking like a gorilla! Due to the hair, I can't see anything, I was ready to fall on my ass on that cold hard floor. But I didn't! whoever the person was, grabbed me by my waist, and I crushed on his hard chest. This is like a deja vu! Familiar! Giving me vibes that the person is familiar, and my heart? It started beating fast! I don't understand why my heart started beating fast! I was in a dilemma until a strong Cologne hit my nostrils! A very good one.

"Nice to meet you again clumsy Parker," So slow that only I could hear it. as he tucked my hair with his gentle fingers beside my ears.
Why? Always I had to bummed with this guy! He make my life miserable whenever I met him, whenever I bumped into him!

Focus! You were going to run.

Yes. Run. I need to run! I tried to shove past him, but couldn't he was so close to me, and his eyes! Sometimes, I wonder how eyes can create magic! And they drew everything at themselves! His eyes were mysteriously devouring every inch of my soul. They looked concerned about something, maybe that thing was pretty important to him! Otherwise, he won't do concern about anything.

Before I can regain my balance he again opened his mouth, "where were you going?" his tone was something else.

"This is none of your business," I replied. No-matter How I get affected by his presence! I just can't show it. he's not worth it. And I know that, but my body my heart always get affected by his presence! No matter what happens at the last he always remains a jerk Playboy and I hate him for that.

"Amanda," he whispered so low, with so much concern! HA! I must be in delusion, then. If I thought About the word Concern in his dictionary.

"What Cole? What you want! Now? " I breathed heavily.

Great just great my chest must be looking like a trampoline, I facepalmed myself.

"Amanda, are you ok? You were sweating?"

Oh, I was sweating? Was I?

And what the hell with him? Why he is showing me so much concern, as he cares for me? This can't happen. He's Cole! The Cole Maxwell! He can't show concern for me!

"Why do you care?"

As sensing the situation, he changed his expressions, he changed everything which was before in his face, now covered with Cold Mask.

So, I was right! He was just playing me.
He let me go from his embrace, and I felt cold like something snatched away from me!

"Why would I care for you? I only want to remind you, Parker, I"ll win! And you will lose! Ha! But hey Don't be that hypocrite type who talk about everything rules and regulations, and herself leave everything in middle!
finish what you started, otherwise, you can't be yourself again!

And Parker, all the best! Though I know you are going to lose, still, you are trying so hard to compete against me!
Nevertheless, I'm so ready to watch you, what can you do! And what you are showing as your talent !"

And he walked away, what he said, or not! what is right, or wrong! Whether he's faking it, or not!
Now, I"ll show him what Amanda Parker Can do!

****

"Where were you, Amy? I was looking for you!" Vess mumbled.

"I-I was preparing myself for the competition, and I know I'm gonna win this round!"

And we hugged each other. "Yes. You are going to win! And you are going to beat the shit out of everyone! I trust you," she comforted me.

"Yeah. I know. But we have a lot of time."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean. My performance is a second last place."

"Oh. Sure, then we have lots of time! It means we can see others' performance. well, at least we can see ten performances of the beginning."

"Yes."

We both! well not Both Dylan, also came. And now the trio of us took our seats to see the performances, where we were seated everything was clear in view! In fact at its best.

"Good Morning! students of Cross River high. As you can see we are gathered here for the Second Round of The Student Of The Year Competition, which is about to begin in five minutes. Before that our Principal wants to say something to you guys" and that man, who was full in a black suit stepped aside. A low whisper came from the microphone, and the spotlight followed Mr Bennet, which went with every step he took. And finally, he was in front of us on the stage with some power around him. He opened his mouth, " I want a clear competition! Do you hear me. And listen give your best, because only number one is going to win, so be number one! " and he walked away! As he doesn't care about the sentiments of students! for him, this is just another year and a group of students who were fighting each other to give their best! What he truly cares about is the reputation of the School! If This didn't mean for the history of our School then he doesn't care about his School Students.

I Sighed, Vess rubbed my shoulder, to comfort me, "He's a pain in the ass. Don't pay attention to him!"
Yes. He's a pain in the ass! "He needs to be laid," muttered Dylan.
Vess nudges him on the shoulder! "What? He looks like, He hadn't had sex for so long time" he muttered.
Huh! It is something with that status of him? Well then, "Hah! Are you kidding me? I hadn't had sex in my whole life, but still, I'm not like him, so Dylan it didn't give him the right to behave like this if he didn't have sex for so long !" I tried to make my point there.

"Oh! You are a virgin then," he said sceptically rosing his one eyebrows.

"Shut up you both! Let's talk about virginity later, because the first performance is about to start!" Vess threatened, and yet at the same time she looks exciting!

"And who's going to perform first? ", and Dylan asked in Unison while giving each other non-approving looks.

"Guess who!"

"Uh the Prince of clown town Virginia?" the sarcasm was dripping off from my mouth.

"No. Must be the happy black dog of moonlight," Dylan said. And let me tell you his Sarcasm is on another level from mine. Not at the high-class level.

"Don't do sarcasm with me! However, it ain't at its best level. Whatever Veronica is going to perform first! "

Oh, that girl always wants to be first in every place." then let's watch!"

***

She came with so much grace, dressed like an actress who was ready to flatter herself on the red carpet. Her dress looks expensive, designer. everything that princess wear.

Her hairs were perfect, As someone has put some effort into them! Everything was so perfect that it looks dangerous don't know what is about to come!

All the lights went dim, and the spotlight followed her with her every step. Music started calmly fully. What was that music? Oh, 'The Dark Horse' by Katy Perry. When the music started she swayed her hips on the rhythm perfectly and gladly took off that dress which fully covered her body! at that moment all boys went crazy, and there was so much shouting! Thank God it's not what they were expecting. She had a dress on, underneath that fully covered dress, which she took off! And that dress was shimmery black reached on her thighs, hugged her body perfectly!
No one expected to see a sexy dress beneath that elegant, and classy dress.

Slowly-slowly, when Music was on it full. she danced perfectly to every rhythm of it! She danced effortlessly, and the plus point was she was enjoying it. For the very first time, she looked happy! And real. And her dance was breathtaking! As she was a born dancer.
When it comes to end. Everyone applauded her. Me, Dylan, and Vess also.

"For the very first time. I'm jealous of her! " complained she.
And I know why, because she loves to dance, and Veronica's Dance was perfect.

"She did a good job! However, it looks like she is different, not that regular girl whom we see in School! She looks different, " Dylan chimed in.

"Well, at least she looks genuine today, "

***

Around five to six Performances went on. Some were amazing, some were neutral. While some were not that good!
But at least they did! And for me, they all were great, who did so much on the stage and showed their best.

"Cole is next, " Exclaimed, Dylan, with so much excitement.

Ok! Don't need to react! When his name, his sight, his touch affects me, then what can his performance do?
It would make me more Anxious!

It is better to not see his performance, because if I saw his, then I can't concentrate on mine.

Really? Don't lie to yourself! You don't want to watch, because you know that it would affect you! Oh, maybe you couldn't control yourself then!!!!

Haha! No. Like that is going to happen! My inner voice has lost her mind.

I stand up at my feet, to Go away from there!
"Where are you going? " Vess stopped me.

"I need to pee, " said I.
Before I could go away lights went dim, in fact almost dark. And the music started.

Loving can hurt.

What? What the hell is happening? Oh God

His voice is velvety rich, as covered in sugar, thousands of emotions were in them, and they all were connecting with my every inch of soul.

Loving can heal.

His voice, his words. This song made me freeze at my stop, I couldn't move. I couldn't move, because I just can't. My legs were not supporting me anymore, they were stuck at the spot. And my heart? Something is wrong with it definitely, and above all why did he choose this song? Does he know anything about feelings? About Love?
Well I'm an Idiot this is just a song, and I'm overreacting!

Loving can mend your soul, and it is the only thing that I know.

Vess grabbed my hand and made me sit at my place, My mind, my everything was on where he was. He has a guitar with him, which is hung around his shoulder, and waist. He was playing it and singing at the same time.
My eyes were on his guitar! I don't want to make eye contact with him. Because I know that I shouldn't, it is not good for me.

Hm, we keep this love in this photograph
We made these memories for ourselves
Where our eyes are never closing
Hearts were never broken
And time's forever frozen still
So you can keep me
Inside the pocket of your ripped jeans
Holding me closer 'til our eyes meet
You won't ever be alone, wait for me to come home.

My eyes were closed, it looks like he want to say something? And what's with the emotions in his voice was breathtaking, perfect! In fact beyond perfection, the rhythm he was playing on guitar was something else.
I was not in this zone anymore, I'm in peace. for the very first time.

And If you hurt me, that's ok. Baby, only words bleed. Inside these pages you just hold me, you won't ever be alone.

This song, his voice. It reminds me of something! I don't know, but well then again, maybe I was overreacting?

Whole this time I wouldn't look at his face!

Oh, you can fix me, inside this necklace, you got when you were sixteen. Next to your heartbeat where I should be, keep it deep within your soul!

'Amy' A voice came, somewhat near me. I ignored it, I was lost. Lost in his voice.

And if you hurt me, that's okay baby, only words bleed, inside these pages. you just hold me. I won't ever let you go.

"Amy"

He kept saying all those lines, as they were meant to be for him.

"Amanda Parker, listen to me. " Vess punched me on my shoulder.

Can't she be silent? For a minute?

"What? " I asked, in exasperation.

"Why he's looking at you?"

"Who? " I asked dumbfounded.

"Prince Harry, " she said in a duh tone!

"Huh"

"Idiot. Cole was looking towards you whole the time! "

What? And newton's law applied here, every action has an equal, and opposite reaction.
Unconsciously, my eyes met with his, and yes they were looking at me. Concentrated on me.

When I'm away, I will remember how you kissed me
Under the lamppost back on Sixth street
Hearing you whisper through the phone,
"Wait for me to come home."

"Why? Why? He's looking at you? "

"I don't know. I don't know. "

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