The blinding rays of the sun peeked through the doors in the Assembly Hall. Pupils chattered loudly about their exciting or dreadful weekend that had just finished. Announcements were made as we awaited the signal to finally venture on our venture home. However, one particular announcement grabbed my attention.

"We will be having a singing contest next week! Make sure to get your application forms as the spots are limited!" The joyful voice echoed off the walls of the hall. Students were then all ears,eager to know more. Despite their endless statements that they would win, I was the polar opposite. My hands turned cold and clammy at the revelation of a competition. Trying my utmost best to keep my breathing steady, beads of perspiration formed on my forehead as haunting images filled my mind. Surreal yet horrifying situations of people laughing and humiliating me clawed my brain, squeezing the juices out.

It was a part of my bucket list to perform on stage but since I had a serious case of stage fright, it never happened.

I was surrounded by my group of friends who we're merrily boasting about their grades. Out of the blue, all eyes turned on me," Join the contest. Please?" Melanie persuaded me. It was now Friday. Next Monday would be the day where people battle their hearts out with their voices. If I wanted to compete, today would be my last chance to enter.

" You have a great voice, it would be a shame if you don't enter"

I stared at them, their eyes glistening, just begging me to succumb to their wishes. However, I managed to break out of their hypnosis.

"No, I can't" My voice quavered with fear.

My eyes stung as tears threatened to spill, a lump forming in my throat. The dreadful memories that I had locked safely at the back of my mind began to reappear. Fortunately, my friends saw my fragile state band decided not to push at the subject any further. The knee what I had went through when I was in Primary Four. They witnessed how a large number of people laughed at me until they cried. They experienced by he same constant bullying and teasing I went through when they defended me.

All that, because I could not sing. Maybe my voice was too high-pitched or it was out of tune. Whatever the case, my singing could not please them. Just one mistake lead me to acquiring a new phobia.

"Don't mind them, your voice has improved greatly over the past two years. Just at least try it out? " Roxy comforted me.

"It's just the auditions so there won't be a lot of people"

I took assurance in her words, they seemed to be telling the truth. With that, I did what I thought i would never do.

My knees threatened to buckle, m heart palpitating furiously in my chest as I approached Mrs Tan for the application form. I was right behind her when she was up preoccupied by another student. "This is it, you can back out now if you want," I muttered to myself, debating on the two opposing decisions. Eventually, I picked the former.

Turning on my heel, I ran.

I ran and ran. Away from Mrs Tan. A nagging voice in my head still beckoned me to join the contest but I pushed it to the depths on my mind. I was not mentally prepared to participate and go through the same taunting and bullying.

________

An eruption of applause came from the crowd, including me, as the winner was announced. She had tears brimming in her eyes and her smile reached from ear to ear. I was jealous that she did not experience the same pain as me but glad that she had won. She truly deserved it because of the way her voice reached the hearts of many. Someday i hope to do that too..
I was too frightened of what was to come of the opportunity, that i wasted it. I could have overcome my fear and feel proud but I knew it just was not my time yet.

I may not be prepared for the challenges and consequences to come if I participated in such a competition but someday, I will.

And just maybe, I would be standing on a stage, grinning in joy just as she did.