What looks real can be fake, you never know.

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The aura around school has something serious, yet strange in itself. Stage was set to find its winners for the last round, one more step towards the title of the competition, then every thing will settle. Not, just in School, infact in my life too.
These last days in school were hectic. And for my life? Well things became hurdle. Those things are happening which I never wanted to do in 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 had any choice left.

Today, I didn't wasted anytime 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 third round at the end of day.

So, you sure about it?

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

This is absurd! Totally Absurd!!!! To judge someone's Talent on the basis of their five-minute Performance, only If things were in control of my hands ,then these things were definitely 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 meant that it had to be count 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. Infact I had never seen something like that in my life! This competition is really something huge for our School.

I was stood at the corner, observing all the things with my mouth hanged open, a shiver went down through my body, to perform ahead of that much people in that big stage!

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

Feww! Yes I need to be relax! Don't need to be hyperventile every thing is going to be fine. I assured myself.

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

The whole place get filled by everyone, whether they are staff members, judges pannel, and students ! All the participant were also here with their determine face to win! And the supporters were also here to cheer all the participants to perfom. Infact every one person of the School also come in this wonderful huge, enormously slightly big competition.
After seeing that much rush on crowd, I became deadpanned! Nervous! Anxious! And everything that 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 much people! I never thought that -all these people will come! After all the years I put up a different side for my self, 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 get up on stage, and announce names! I covered up my face with my hairs ,and started running between crowed. All the shoulders were nudging me! Hurting me! Humilating me! Bickering me, but I didn't cared.
Just when I was about to reach the end door, but 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 hairs 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 dilemma ,until a strong Cologne hit my nostrils! A very good one infact.

"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 bummed 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 drawn everything at themselves! His eyes were devouring my every inch of soul in mysterious way. They looked concerned about something, may be that thing was pretty important to him! Otherwise he won't do concern on anything.

Before I can regained 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 affect 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 face palmed 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 care 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 wants to remind you Parker, I"ll win! And you will loose! 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 loose ,but 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! Weather 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 at second last place."

"Oh. Sure, then we have lots of time! It means we can see others performance. well atleast we can see ten performances of the begining."

"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 black suit stepped aside. A low whisper came from microphone, and spot light followed Mr. Bennet, which went with every step he took. And finally he was infront of us at the stage with some powerful around him. He opened his mouth, " I want a clear competition! Do you heard me. And listen give your best, because only number one is going to win, so be number one! " and he walked away! As he don'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 is truly care about the reputation of the School! If This didn't meant for the history of our School then he don't care about his own School Students.

I Sighed, Vess rubbed my shoulder , to comfort me,"He's a pain in ass. Don't pay attention to him!"
Yes. He's definitely a pain in 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 given him right to behave like this if he didn't had sex for so long !" I tried to make my point there.

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

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

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

"Guess who!"

"Uh the Prince of clown town Virginia?" 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 in high-class level.

"Don't do sarcasm with me! However, it ain't at it 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 in red carpet. Her dress looks expensive, designer.every thing that a princess wear.

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

All the lights went dim, and the spot light followed her with her every step. Music started calm 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 of her that dress which fully covered her body!at that moment all boys went crazy, and there were so much shouting! Thank God its 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 on 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 that was breath taking! As she was a born dancer.
When it comes to end. Everyone applauded her. In fact me, Dylan, and Vess also.

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

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

"Well atleast she looks genuine today, "

***

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

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

Ok! Don't need to react! When his name, his sight, his touch has a affect on me, then what can his performance do?
Obviously 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's.

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 really lost her mind.

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

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

Loving can hurt.

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 he chosed 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 to 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, its looks like he want to say something? And what's with the emotions in his voice was breathtaking, perfect! Infact beyond perfection, and 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. Is reminding me something! I don't know, but well then again, maybe I was overreacting?

Whole this time I wouldn't looked 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 with in your soul!

'Amy' A voice came, somewhat near me. I ignored, 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 line, 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, evey action has equal ,and opposite reaction.
Unconsciouslly, my eyes met with his, and yes they were looking at me. Infact 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 really don't know. "

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