10 Pre-pageant

The day of the pre-pageant finally came. All of the representative of each section were all present at the venue wearing their all white outfits. All of their hair and makeup were done pretty well.

"We will start the pre-pageant in 10 minutes, all of you guys should get ready," one organizer said.

Samantha sat on one side facing a mirror, clasping her sweating hands.

"Wow! You look so beautiful Samantha," she heard Ezekiel's voice from behind her. She turned around and saw Ezekiel.

Her face suddenly heated up on the sight of him. He was so handsome! Although he was just wearing a plain white shirt tucked inside his fitted white jeans, he looked so dashing.

"Uhm thank you, you also look very handsome," she said, shyly.

"Really? I look handsome?" he teased her and her fave reddened more.

"Handsome? More like ugly, tsk," Caleb's voice sounded from behind them.

Both Ezekiel and Samantha turned to look at Caleb, but he just walked past them.

Unconcsiously, Samantha's gaze followed Caleb. His icy gray hair was brushed up and he was wearing an oversized white polo where the first two buttons were undone, tucked in a pair of white fitted jeans. He looked really hot!

Samantha's heart can't help but skip a beat. She didn't realize that Caleb was this attractive before. She can't help it but stare at him.

"Hey are you listening to me?" she heard a voice which snapped her back to reality.

"Uh what? You were saying?" she asked Ezekiel.

"See you're not listening!" Ezekiel pouted at her.

Ugh he's so cute!

"I'm sorry, my head was too occupied by this pageant," she reasoned.

"It's okay, don't be nervous, I'll be here with you," she told him and patted her on the head.

Soon the pre-pageant started, the representatives of each group started to take turns on introducung themselves to the judges and student audience.

It was already Samantha and Ezekiel's turn.

First they walked on stage and posed in certain spots before heading to the microphone. Samantha went first in the introduction.

"Good day to all! My name is Samantha Grayson, 17, representing Section A! And I believe in the saying that 'Life is a game, Play it!'"

"Hello everyone! Ezekiel Davis, 18, representing Section A! And I believe in the saying, 'Timing is everything. If it's meant to happen it will happen'," then he winked at the audience.

Before exiting the stage, Ezekiel made an impromptu act. He pulled Samantha then turned her around and bended her.

The audience bursted out screaming.

"Oh my gosh they look so cute together!"

"Section A! Section A! Section A!"

"Gooo Section A!"

The audience cheered. They were all hooked by this pair.

Soon it was Section C's turn. Caleb's class.

"Hi, Bella Javier, 17, Section C! I do believe that there is always a rainbow after the rain,"

"Cale Sylvester, 18, representing Section C! And I believe in the saying that 'Life is a plan, do it or fail it'," then he blew a kiss to the audience.

His fangirls screamed loudly after. It was like 10 times louder than what Ezekiel received. Well, he's after all the school heartthrob and nobody can snatch his throne easily.

Soon, the introduction part of the pre-pageant ended. It was already the time for the talent portion.

Some of the contestants danced, some of them did spoken word poetry, some sang and some of them acted.

Now it was already Samantha and Ezekiel's turn.

In the stage entered a grand piano which Ezekiel will be using for their talent portion. As practiced they sang Bring me the night.

While singing, both of them looked at each other to add some drama effect to their performance.

After their performance, the crowd erupted in applause.

"Date! Date! Date!"

"You guys look cute!"

"Get together!"

The crowd teased the both of them. Samantha's face instantly heated up and to her surprise, Ezekiel suddenly walked towards her and kissed her on the forehead.

The crowd once again went crazy.

"Okay next up is Mr. Caleb Sylvester of Section C!"

Once again the grand piano entered the stage. He was also going to use it.

Caleb sat in front of the grand piano and fixed his mic. Before he started, "This song is dedicated to someone special to me and I hope that you're listening," he said and started to play the piano.

He was going to sing 'The Story Never Ends' by Lauv.

"Stick, stick to your stones 'cause that's all you know

I was caught in the middle

I swallow my words down to the bone

'Cause nothing's that simple"

The crowd went silent.

Caleb's voice was too beautiful and it was full of emotion. Everybody who was listening can't help it but have goosebumps.

"Late at night you pour it out

Know that only brings you down

But go ahead give me all the blame

Twist my words and set them to flame, woah

We all know,"

Samantha on the backstage can't help it but feel her heart tighten. Why did she feel like he was singing this to her?

"That you'll go tell all of your friends

That I'm the one you wish you never met

And woah

We all know

The story never ends, ends

The story never ends, ends,"

Caleb's voice contained a hint of pain and the crowd can also feel it.

"Is this a confession song?"

"I feel so pained right now!"

"Who's the person behind this song?"

The audience was filled with different emotions. Some were crying, some were pained and some were curious, but all in all they were amazed by him.

As soon as the performance ended, the audience broke into a loud applause. Caleb bowed at them and left the stage.

"Are you okay Samantha?" asked Ezekiel who noticed the sudden change in her expression.

"Yeah, I just need air. It feels stuffy here," she answered then stood up from her chair.

"But the results will be announced soon," Ezekiel reminded her.

"I'll be back," she answered then left the backstage and went straight to the school rooftop.

She went near the railings and inhaled air. Why was she so affected by Caleb's song? It felt like it was directed to her.

"Ugh Samantha! What's wrong with you?" she tapped her head, frustrated.

Then suddenly she heard rustling sounds from the forest that can be seen from the rooftop.

Her eyes grew in shock when she saw a few men jumping from one tree to another. They had a furry face and claws. Then came a group of people who looked normal but were also jumping from one tree to another.

She instantly rubbed her eyes.

As soon as she opened them again, they were gone.

"Am I day dreaming?" she slapped herself.

"Here you are! The winners will already be announced," she turned and saw Ezekiel walking towards her.

"Sorry, let's go," she apologized.

On the way back, Ezekiel asked her, "What were you looking at earlier?"

Samantha didn't know how to explain it so she just answered, "Nothing just rabbits jumping," she smiled at him.

Was that an imagination?