Hayley was not bothered by such childish play made by incompetent spoiled brats. She was more interested to see what will be their reaction would be after knowing that their plan was made in vain. She yawned, obviously not feeling excited by all the commotion going on around her. It was 30 minutes before the contest started. She made her way to the school's fancy cafeteria to drink some milk tea. Anyway, she will be the second to last to perform. She had all the time in the world.
When she made her way there, she was taken aback by how many people were present that day. She almost forgot that outsiders were allowed that day. She sighed miserably. It will be hard to find a place to sit. She lined up and some boys couldn't help but engage her for a simple chat; she was a famed beauty ever since she challenged the reigning queen. After so much bothersome blabbering, which she ignored, she took her milk tea then made her way out there and goes up the rooftop. Before she was on the top stair, the door to the rooftop suddenly opened. Boys came from that door. They were all laughing, and all smelled like cigarette smoke. She was taken aback. She was paralyzed and the boys' parade was stuck at the opened door.
"Oh, look what we have here, a lonely beauty." One boy said, dispensing the awkward silence in the air.
One of them was Adam Mason…
Hayley can't help but raise her beautiful eyebrow….
"One of the handsome boys noticed the staring contest between the two. "You know each other?" He teased Adam Mason.
"She's my little sister's friend." He said just like that, no lengthy explanation.
The group of boys then gave her an admiring look while going down the winding stairs back to the busy crowd of the campus.
Hayley ignored them and made her way to the rooftop. She sat on a chair and leaned her back, then closed her eyes while appreciating the cool breeze. It was a silent and relaxing day.
The radio DJ that day has a captivating and beautiful voice. It can be described as a sensual voice, not tinny nor sticky-sweet. With a stable and just the right amount of commanding voice. She made a warm greeting to the visitors plus a brief history of the academy. And also a short introduction of proceeding programs on that day. Her voice can also be compared to that of a professional news anchor. Anyone who appreciates news on tv will surely agree. A tall and handsome guy about 17 years of age with shoulder-length hair was looking at the source of the voice, looking a bit daze. After a while, a guy who looked the same build and age as him called his name to get his attention.
On the other side of the campus, Angel was patiently waiting for her parents by the school gate. Earlier, she received a message from her mother. They will be late because of traffic jams. She was waiting when suddenly a guy came in front of Angel and went into a daze. He said he went to the campus for his friend who also joined in the contest, a childhood friend. "You're waiting for uncle and aunt?"
Angel was shy about the way he addressed her parents. It only proved that they are close.
Even just a little…
Angel wanted to make a conversation, however, her shyness gets in the way.
"Christian!"
Angel looked in the direction where the voice came from. She saw a beautiful, tall, and tanned-skinned lady. This girl made her way to Christian, totally ignoring her like she was not even there.
"You've waited long?" She sweetly asked. Christian shakes his head and then introduces the girl. "This is Ashley. She's a sophomore here, and she's one I've told you who joined the beauty contest here.
Pfft! "What are you talking about? It is not a beauty contest!" Ashley said, her voice when she giggled was tinny.
Angel just looked at them, from Ashely and back to Christian. Before, she would not admit it, but now…
"Ashley, this is Angel. Both our families go to the same church."
"Ashley looked at Angel. She's silently scrutinizing the girl and trying to be subtle about it. "Oh, I know her, freshman, right? You're the god girl, I think."
Angel was taken aback. Is this how girls in the school see her? Could it be she'll be known as god girl from now on?
Christian sighed and looked a little helpless with the way his friend talked to Angel. "Ash, don't go around calling people names." He reprimanded his childhood friend. "I'm sorry about that, Angel. She's like this. She speaks without a filter."
Angel just smiled, but it didn't reach her eyes. A casual smile. She thought he was apologizing to his friend… It is true when they say that it is hard when you're watching your crush flirt with others.
Flirt?!
"Angel, honey!"
Angel heard a sweet and kind voice from behind when she saw a familiar person, her whole face lighting up. "Mom, good thing you're here now." She said, then hugged her mom. "Where's dad?"
"He's talking to his friend. They met each other right in the parking lot by chance. We just realized that he has a daughter who also goes here to St. Claire." Her mom told her enthusiastically, then she halted when she noticed a young, handsome guy near Angel. "Oh, Christian, you're here as well!"
"Hello, Auntie."
"And this is..."
"Ashley was about to introduce herself, but Christian speaks for her instead. "Her name is Ashley. She's a friend. She also goes here just like Angel."
Angel was sure she saw the disappointment on Ashley's face. She was surprised to realize that she felt good about that.
"Ashley, it's nice to meet you." Angel's mom was kind and smiling as she looked at Angel. "You know each other? That's great. You have a lot of friends."
Angel was sure that she caught Ashley's expression when her mom said that she's friends with her. And her expression was not nice.
After a while they separated away, Christian smiled at Angel. He can't forget her smile. It was angelic.
The school festival was getting busier by the afternoon, with all the people getting hungry. It was already halfway through the contest, and after lunch, it will resume. Q&A will be the last segment and will start before sunset, hopefully.
Hayley was far from the crowd favorite. Though Victoria had some fans, but mostly the girls on campus, it cannot be denied that Hayley's aura is different. She's like a queen when she displayed her perfect physique. Most of the people in the audience knew that she was the only daughter of the famous international runway model, Sienna Ann Marie Cruz. That explains her good and stable posture and sturdy walk. It feels like she's inborn with it. Sienna Ann Marie Cruz was very popular during her younger days, even when she got married, though many were disappointed but continued to support her on the international scene. However, after a few more years she retired, and it was not known if the reason was when her only son died because of an accident. The said tragedy was not clear as it was suppressed, maybe because it happened during the provincial election, where her husband congressman Guevarra was said to be head to head with the influential political clan of the province.
That afternoon was truly a magical moment for a lady and to be crowned as the lady of St. Claire academy is truly an honor, especially for the freshmen since it will be the first time they will join the said contest.
All the girls showcased their talents and all of them sang a song, some danced and some played their favorite musical instruments.
Victoria played her cello the same thing as last year. She was irritated joining the contest this year just for the sake of accepting a freshman's challenge. Regardless, it was a good performance, nonetheless. Though the dean assured her that she need not take it seriously, for the said challenge was just made out of childish whim. Whether she won or not this time, it can’t be denied that she won last year, period.
Hayley was the last to perform and since a certain group of people "expect" her to perform, she does not want to disappoint them. With a gorgeous smile on her equally gorgeous face, she graced the stage once more. Most of the male audience was never tired of looking at her for them. She only gets prettier the more they see her. A true goddess.
However, when the MC announced a technical problem with the sound system, the audience felt disappointed but not Hayley, for she's the one who orchestrated the commotion. She was silently giving her beautiful friend Raeven a thumbs up for being so cooperative.
Some deduced that someone was trying to play dirty because Hayley was so pretty. Others who hated Hayley were just smiling because the arrogant girl was humiliated. With all this happening, only one person was calm, like she was just walking in a park and relaxing, observing her surrounding. Hayley brought her guitar and sat on the chair provided in the center of the stage and strummed it for a while before finding the right tune.
The whole place suddenly turned quiet. It was at that moment people truly saw her. She was like a still painting with vivid color and lively background. Though she was not smiling, the way she played her guitar and hummed was enough to capture one's heart. She may look cold on the outside, but the way she looked right now was different. It shows that the song she's about to sing was dear to her.
For a time, I thought my faith
It must be hiding
Searchin through the sky,
Hoping to find a way,
A way,
To get me through the day
Don't know where I belong
Is this where I should stay?
The song was from "Stuart Little 2" sung by Mandy Moore. Some know the song, and some don't. Some were teasing, saying how childish the song was. Some don't even care because the pretty lady's voice was warm and very nice to listen to.
Despite all the crowd's reactions, there was an odd reaction different from the others. Seeing the expression with a hint of pain and remorse, and nostalgia at the same time.
Hayley saw her mom. She only realized her presence, only because of her piercing glare at her. She just ignored her. She enjoyed herself singing the song. This song is important to her. For her, a special someone loved this song so much that it was played on a loop every time. And that someone so young and so lively that his childish smile is enough to lighten her gloomy world. So many hurtful memories came flashing back, drowning her senses. Her voice was shaky, but it only gave a dramatic effect on her performance.
Always been believing
In my life
A whole new meaning
Now I'm on top of the world
Top of the whole wide world
Top of the whole wide world
Yea, you've always been believing
In my life
A whole new meaning
Now I'm on top of the world
Top of the whole wide world
Until the very last line, until the very last note slowly disappears into thin air….
There was loud applause but for Hayley, she feels nothing, for her, it was nothing since the person she was thinking was not there to see her and hear her sing. She takes a bow and left the stage as if nothing happened.
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