Jonah (P.O.V)
Yesterday we all practiced only for two hours at night. After Lisa's performance, we went to Lisa's house to celebrate. We spent our time watching TV and playing games.
I am now in the Canteen having coffee. Ariana didn't come with me to school because she told me she will walk to school so, I came alone. In a few minutes, my phone rang I answered my call.
"Hello mom, how are you?" I asked.
"I am fine Jonah, it's been three months without seeing you," she said with a sad tone making me sad too.
"How is dad?" I asked.
"He is good" she replied. In a meanwhile, I saw Rain heading towards me.
"Hey, Jonah our competition starts within fifteen minutes," he said.
"Mom, I will talk to you later," I said and hanged the call.
"Where is Ariana?" I asked.
"She is still practicing," he said. We moved from the canteen and made our way to the backstage. When we reached there, it was crowded. I think they all are participants. I also saw Salina, she knew singing? I didn't know. I saw Ariana who was still practicing silently, I think she is nervous. I also saw Ace who was trying to help her. He is not performing then why he is here. I don't like this guy.
"Ace what are you doing here?" I asked with an irritating voice.
"I am helping Ariana as you can see," he said and a small smirk came to my lips.
"Why are you smirking?" he asked and I ignored. He always tries to impress her and I hate that.
"Have you practiced last night?" Rain asked.
"Yeah for two hours" I replied.
"What about you?" I asked.
"After going home I slept," he said. After going home he slept but he looks confident than all the members.
"The first contestant is Jacob Torres" Announced has made from the stage making me sighed. I hope this competition goes well.
Ariana (POV)
I am very nervous because I didn't practice much. I only practiced for two hours with Jonah. He made me learn how to sing. He once told me I learn very fast. But still, I am nervous. When I came to the backstage the one person I saw was Salina I didn't know she knows to sing. I ignored her because she always treats me like I am a pile of garbage when I should not be with Jonah but she thinks that I will be scared of her that is her big mistake to think. As always she saw me and walked towards me.
"Do you think that you will win, then you are wrong" she said and a small smirk made on my lips. I never thought to win because whatever I do is to show my talent, not for the prize. I can hear the announcement made on stage. I became more nervous but I have lots of friends who cheer for me. I don't know why Ace is trying to teach me. Does he know that I am not good at singing? Well, I don't know but Jonah teaches well than Ace.
"The next performer is Salina" They announced and Salina made her way to the stage. Should I go to the side stage to see her performance? I asked myself and saw Jonah and Rain made their way towards the side stage and they didn't even bother to ask me. I started to follow them I am curious to listen to Salina's performance.
How mad it must hurt (that means she started her performance already and she is singing Sorry, not sorry by Demi Lovato)
To see me like this
But it get worse
Now you're out here
Looking like regret
Ain't too proud to beg
Second chance you'll never get
And yeah, I know
How bad it must hurt
To see you like this
But it get worse
Now playback is the bad bitch
And baby, I'm the Baddest
You Fuckin' with a Savage
Can't have this can't have this, Ah
And it'd be nice to me
To take it easy on ya, But nah
Baby, I'm sorry, I'm not sorry
Baby, I'm sorry, I'm not sorry...
I started to move to the backstage because I got more nervous than before and I don't know why? But let me tell you Salina sang better than me. I don't mind she can sing better than me but still, I get nervous. There are so many contestants and they sing excellently. After five more contestants, Jonah's name was called. I want to see Jonah's full performance so I went again to the side stage.
Never mind, never mind, never mind
You were never mine, never mine
What a time, what a time, what a time
You were never mine never mine
Flipping through my memories
Memories just make it hurt
I don't remember learning in,
It was you first
Ever think of telling me,
Telling me I have a heart?
Running with the other half,
Got a head start
Bed is empty and fifty percent
Overloaded with all the words
I wish I said, but
Never mind, never mind, never mind
You were never mine, never mine
What a time, what a time, what a time
You were never mine never mine
Thought you were falling for me, baby you were just slipping through my hands
Never mind, never mind, never mind
You were never mine, never mine
He sings well from all the performers.
"Now the next performer is Ariana Gonzales" what? They announced my name. Now my heartbeat increases due to nervousness. I slowly started to move towards the stage. Even my hands are shaking. Jonah stood beside me. He kept his thumb on his lower lips and started to speak in a low voice. So that I should only hear his voice.
"Don't be scared, you have practiced a lot, and good luck" he said and moved out of the stage.
I stood in the middle of the stage.
I am nervous but when I saw the audience they were all cheering for me. I saw Lisa and Ace who sat in the front seat are also cheering with a poster that says Ariana you are best. I smiled seeing them. I even can't run away now it's also for Jonah who made me teach for two hours and there are so many who are encouraging me. I am glad to have all these friends. Now I think I can sing with full confidence.
Never knew the sting of a stranger
Never felt the words like a Razor
But I won't give a damn 'bout it later
All the little digs doesn't matter
Writing' down a brand knew chapter
Whether there's love, never anger
So lonely in your bed
Does breakin' me make you feel good?
Guess you don't understand
What goes around
Come around
Don't ya
Know that I'm a stronger?
Don't ya
See me in all black?
Don't ya
Cry like a baby
HA-HA-HA-HA, HA-HA
Who's laughing now?
After I finished my song everyone was clapping hard and cheering me. A big smile made to my lips. I moved from the stage because another contestant was called. When I entered the backstage Rain and Jonah both congratulated me. In a minute Lisa and Ace both came towards me and they also congratulated me. Now only left is Rain. I wanted to go washroom so I made me there. After using the washroom Salina stood in front of me.
"What do you think of yourself?" she yelled at me.
"What do you want Salina?" I asked angrily.
"I told you to not be around Jonah but you don't listen" I got angrier towards her.
"He is my friend and I am not around him every time and if I am around him what your problem is?" I asked irritated.
"You think yourself as great, you have stolen my boyfriend," she said and left. I frown at her words I have stolen her boyfriend? What does she mean about that? I never said that Jonah is my boyfriend. I think she is mad. I made my way towards the auditorium. In the way, I saw a familiar girl and a very familiar girl. Do I saw her before? Is she Melissa Martinez? What she is doing in this school. She left two years ago. She was Rain's girlfriend. A big smile made to my lips after seeing her. I started to follow her. She was going towards the auditorium. When I reached there Melissa was standing in front of the stage. Rain started to sing.
Yeah
Maybe I' ma get a little anxious
Maybe I' ma get a little shy
'Cause everybody's trying to be famous
And I'm just trying to find a place to hide (oh)
All I wanna do is just hold somebody
But no one ever wants to get to know somebody
I don't even know how to explain this
I don't even think I'm gonna try
And that's okay
I promise myself one day
Hey!
I' ma tell 'em all
I' ma tell 'em all that you could either hate me or love me
But that's just the way I am
I' ma tell 'em all
I' ma tell 'em all that you could either hate me or love me
But that's just the way I am
That's just the way I am
That's just the way I am
That's just the way I am
That's just the way I am
Maybe I' ma get a little nervous
Maybe I don't go out anymore (oh)
Feelin' like I don'really t deserve this (-serve this)
Life ain't nothing like it was before (ain't nothing like before)
'Cause all I wanna do is just hold somebody
But no one ever wants to get to know somebody
If you go and look under the surface (surface)
Baby, I'm a little insecure
And that's okay (baby, now, that's okay)
I promise myself one day
Hey!
I' ma tell 'em all
I' ma tell 'em all that you could either hate me or love me
But that's just the way I am
I' ma tell 'em all
I' ma tell 'em all that you could either hate me or love me
But that's just the way I am
That's just the way I am
That's just the way I am
That's just the way I am
That's just the way I am
Rain finished his song and all the judges gave him a standing ovation including the audience. All were cheering him. He had a big smile on his face. This was the last performance and now Judges are going to announce the winners. I don't want to go backstage because I know I won't win. So I decided to talk with Melissa who was standing three steps away from me.
"I went toward her. When she saw me I could see the anger that she had for me. But why she has this much grudge on me? What did I do? I don't know.
"Hey Melissa, long time no see. How are you?" I greeted her but she tried to ignore me but she failed.
"After betraying me you are asking how I am?" she replied and I got very sad at her words. When did I betray her? I decided to ask her. But when I was going to ask my name announced from the mic. Why did my name call? I saw it on the stage. The two winners were already chosen. The first winner is Rain and the second Jonah.
"Ms. Ariana Gonzales?" Again my name was called from the stage. I could see Rain and Jonah were talking among themselves. I made my way towards the stage.
"Congratulations, Ms. Ariana Gonzales" one of the judges Shake my hand and gave me the award. I was so lost in the Mellissa that I didn't hear a word from the stage. I got third prize I can't believe that too. I am so happy that we three best friend won the singing competition. After having pictures with judges. We all made our way to the hallway where Lisa and Ace were waiting for us. When we reached there they both congratulated us. All the time I was thinking about Melissa. She told I betrayed her but when? I have to ask her. I don't know anything. I have to ask her ASAP. Otherwise, she will leave. The last time I tried to reach her but she blocked my number and account everything she blocked. I also went to her house but she already left from there. Her parents told me that she wanted to study in another state. So, she went to her grandma for further studies and I didn't see her after that.
"Aari, what happened today you are in your own world?" Rain asked breaking from my thoughts. I decided to tell him.
"Did you remember Melissa?"
"Don't mention her name" by saying he walks away. I wanted to ask him so many things but he left not bothering at all.
"Guys I am going to my house," I said and left. Ace and Jonah wanted to ask but I told them I don't want to say anything. I started walking towards my house.