It's been weeks since the Junior Spelling Bee Contest began, going on for several days with over thirty participants from different elementary schools in D.C. Beginning with the preliminaries, they go on to the quarter finals and then after the semi finals, with days between each.
It's the Finals, the competition is now down to ten participants and with just hours gone, six of those participants has already been eliminated and the air is thick with tension.
The kids all take breaks in large hall, each with their family members for support. Vivian sits with her son resting on her laps, she strokes his air in an attempt to ease his nerves, Joshua sits beside them.
JÚLIO: Okay mom, I'm calmer now (he says sitting up)
VIVIAN: Sweetie If you don't think you're up for it,we can just leave right now it's not a problem
JOSHUA: uhh..no, we can't just leave, he's come this far already!
VIVIAN: I don't want him to feel pressured Joshua, these kids look alot older than him (she replied in concern)
JÚLIO: I don't feel pressured mom,I ...just really wanna win (he sighed) I have a..big plan for the prize money (he said with a smile)
JOSHUA: ohhh really?, Come on tell me, what business are you planning on starting (he joked)
VIVIAN: You shouldn't be thinking about money at your age Júlio, I mean I'll buy you all the sweets and goodies you need even if you don't win, it's alright.
JÚLIO: I WILL win, and I WILL get the prize money (he said confidently)
JOSHUA: That's my boy! (He praised giving Júlio a high five)
After the break the participants all return to their stands and the finals commenced, a series of more complicated words are given to each child one after the other and the judges write down the points. All the Parents and Guardians watch behind the judges anxiously.
After a while the Spelling Bee was finally over, but the pressure continues after the kids were asked for a moment to wait on the judges conclusion.
Some time later the judges has finally come to a conclusion, and the participants are called back to the stand
JUDGE 1: Congratulations children on getting this far, we applaud you for all the hard work you've put in the past two years up till this moment, You've made us, your parents,teachers and your school very proud, but as you know, we can only have three winners,so one of you will be leaving us,but like I said before, regardless of who stays or leaves, you're all winners (he said with a grin) and the person leaving us now is...
The kids all stand nervously holding each other's hands.
JUDGE 1: .... Nicholas.
NICHOLAS: I knew it (he sighed)
The crowd applaud.
JUDGE 1: I'm sorry Nikky...You're a brilliant boy, don't let this put you down.
NICHOLAS: Okay.. (he reply sadly)
JUDGE 1: Remember, like the others you won't be leaving empty handed, Good job!, You know where to go
Nicholas nods as he leaves to the back with his uncle following behind him
JUDGE 2: Beautiful children, Our top three! (She smiled) Not every child can take up a spelling bee contest,congrats on that..so now we'll be announcing our 1st,2nd and 3rd position, but remember, no matter the position you get, just know you're all equally brilliant!, The words each of you fumbled on doesn't make you dumb, you did your best and that all that matters,okay?
The kids all nod.
JUDGE 2: Okay!, And so, our third position goes to...George.
The crowd applaud.
GEORGE: aw really?, Why do I always get third.. (He groaned)
JUDGE 2: Third isn't so bad Georgie (she chuckled) But if you have an aim,keep working hard, I'm sure it'll be accomplished, your prizes and throphy awaits you
GEORGE: Okay, bye Judges! (He waved before running off)
VIVIAN: Why don't they just hand over their prizes to them here?(she whispered to Joshua)
JOSHUA: I have no idea (he whispered back)
JUDGE 3: Okay now!, We're down to pretty Mabel and young Júlio, honestly to make the final decision,we were quite torn, cause you both did incredibly well! (She said with a laugh) Our second position goes to...Mabel.
The crowd applaud.
MABEL: I knew it (she chuckled lightly before hugging Júlio who's eyes was widened on hearing the judges) Congrats Júlio, You got first postion! (She screamed to him)
JUDGE 1: Yeah I think he got that,Mabel..
JUDGE 3: Oh Mabel, always so Cheerful (she laughs) Congratulations.
MABEL: Thank you!, I'm just glad it's all over, My heart felt like it could come out of my chest (she giggled) can I go get my prize now?!
JUDGE 3: uh..sure, I had a whole speech prepared but yeah, you can go, it's okay (she smiled)
Mabel waved goodbye to the judges before running off, her mom and sisters sprints behind her and the crowd goes wild giving the final winner a standing ovation, Vivian in tears as she claps along with the crowd in joy.
JUDGE 1: Congratulations Júlio!, You're our number 1!, How do you feel?
JÚLIO: Very happy! (He jumped with a smile)
JUDGE 2: You know Júlio, when I first saw you, I thought you weren't prepared to be here, because you were so young!, But you've proven to many that age should not be underestimated, you're the youngest winner of D.C's Junior Spelling Bee Contest, congratulations!
JÚLIO: Thank you! (Júlio yells as he ran down the podium ecstatically to embrace his mother and Joshua who happily rejoices wth him)
And they all walk down heading towards the hall to claim Júlio's reward
JOSHUA: Congrats buddy, aren't you excited?!
JÚLIO: I am (he laughs) Hey mom, did you see what the banners said, the first position winner gets a huge cash prize!
VIVIAN: (Chuckles) Oh Júlio, I told you earlier didn't I?, That money will be used on your studies and other things you need okay?
JÚLIO: No! (He yelled stopping in his tracks)
VIVIAN: What..do you mean?
JÚLIO: I have something to say..(he replied standing up straight) I..I know you never meant to have me mom,I know that..I came from rape
VIVIAN: Oh my God Júlio l, I thought I told you to stop saying that (she said pulling him aside to a corner)
JÚLIO: Mom, I know you went through alot because of me, and because of me.. your u had to change so many plans you had, and I know you have up on so many dreams you had too..
VIVIAN: No no, don't say that my love,that's not true (she said as tears well up her eyes)
JÚLIO: Mum, I want you to have the money... they say it's gonna be alot!, So you can..use it to fufill the dreams you had before I came, I don't know if it'll be enough but I promise to keep making it up to you!... I'll wipe away the tears Dad made you shed.. that's my promise to you Mummy. (He smiled)
With a warm smile, Vivian pulls Júlio in to embrace him as tears stream down her face
VIVIAN: Oh my boy (she sobbed) I bless the day you came into my life (she said breaking the hug) I'm sorry for ever making you feel bad..you're much more than any dream I had..I love you with all my heart. (She said wiping her tears)
JÚLIO: I love you too mommy (he smiled)
JOSHUA: And I love you both (he said leaning in to kiss both Vivian and Júlio)
The End.
*. *. *. *. *. *. *. *
STORY 2
PROLOGUE:
DELLWOOD'S ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
At the sports field, a crowd of pupils are all sotted around the field in excitement, chattering anxiously as they await for the next race to commence. At the corner of the field sat a little girl on her sports uniform, her arms folded as she watched the crowd unhappily.
"Come on Sandra, your group is up next", her class teacher said as she approached her
SANDRA: I'm tired...I don't want to run (she replied with a gloomy expression)
TEACHER: Come on Sandra, Listen... Participating in activities like this makes you more active and strong, don't you want to be strong? (She asked)
SANDRA: Yes I do, I want to be very strong..just like my daddy (she smiled)
TEACHER: Then you shouldn't run away from these sports sweetie (she chuckled) or are you a lazy girl? (She asked with a brow raised)
SANDRA: Noooo, I'm a hard worker..just like my teacher! (She said with a wide grin)
TEACHER: Good! (She laughs) Now let's go out there and do our best okay?
SANDRA: Okay! (She replied joyfully jumping to her feets)
In minutes Sandra and the other three kindergardeners goes to the starting line for a crouch start, and with a blow of the whistle, the race begins. Just seconds into the race Sandra is already ahead of her classmates and the crowd chants her name....
But half way through the race, Sandra begins slowing down, giving the other racers a chance to overtake her. the crowd chatters in confusion as they watch Sandra stagger ok the field.
"Sandra"?..., Her teacher said concerned as she jugged to the field to check on her...but before she could reach her...Sandra collapses.
"Sandra!!'.., Her teacher screams as she runs to her aid, the crowd goes in utter silence as teachers, medics and pupils all gathered around Sandra's unconscious body.
Presenting...
SOPHIA SMITH: The Young Mother
NEXT: Episode 1
Meet Sophia
Sorry this Chapter is a bit short guys,
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