Chapter Five

Kevin looked closely at someone who was talking to his friend. They laughed together; it seemed that their friend was telling a hilarious joke that made him laugh so hard that his face turned red. Kevin smiled too. For some reason, he also felt happy just by seeing him smile.

It all started last March, when he was still a new student at Cyanne Art and Music High School and he accidentally met a music class student. At first, he didn't have any interest, but the more he saw it, the more curious he became. Unfortunately, he can only watch her from a distance because of the strange tradition at his new school.

Cyanne Art and Music High School has a tradition where the two classes, namely art and music, always compete for the annual title. And most of the students from both classes were always hostile. Kevin really doesn't understand this tradition, because music is a part of art, and art is always related to music. How can art and music be in separate parts?

But as a new student, he didn't have much choice. So, he just followed what his new friends said. Except for that music class student.

"You're hopeless, man," Levi, an art class student from China, mocked him.

Well, for now, only Levi knows what Kevin thinks about the music student. He didn't want to take the risk of telling his other friends.

Kevin smiled and returned to his painting. "I know, but I can't resist it, Levi."

Levi just shook his head and finished his painting. Meanwhile, Kevin still had time to glance at the field where the music student was. The music student's class might be doing some outdoor practice again, and he was very lucky that their chosen location could be clearly seen from his current class.

"But seriously, Kev. You must finish your painting before our teacher comes. Come on, focus on your task first," said Levi.

Kevin smiled again. He took a deep breath and tried to concentrate on his painting.

*****

Jacel frowned slightly as she looked up at the window of one of the art classes. She didn't know, but she always felt someone was watching her from there. But she always denied that feeling. She took a deep breath and looked back at Hunter, who was joking.

Jacel laughed again.

Then she felt someone hug him. "Why? What is it? Do you feel that person's presence again?" Mark asked her.

She nodded. "No. I don't know, but I feel like there's always someone watching me from art class. But that's impossible, right?"

"Unless they see you as a rival, that's possible. Jacel, the annual festival, is only a few months away and everyone is busy preparing. You have to be careful. Last year, one of the arts students poisoned the drinks of students from music class. Luckily, no one drank it. I think they will be more aggressive this time. So, take good care of yourself," Mark said, giving her a warning.

Jacel let go of Mark's arms and smiled. "I will, mom. But the representative of the music class hasn't been determined yet. It could be you, Hunter, or anyone who will be sent. You should also give that advice to them or the students who will be sent later."

The man took a deep breath. "But the opportunity is always there, Jacel. Our teacher always compliments you. She also always said that the music class would send four to five people as soloists. You still have a chance, Jacel."

"Alright, alright."

*****

"Kevin!!"

Kevin turned and saw Levi running towards him. He smiled and immediately put his arm around his best friend's shoulder when the man was beside him.

"Don't call my name like that again, Levi. It sounded…"

"Not cool? Too cheesy? What are you expecting? That's your name, KEVIN," said the man with annoyance.

Kevin chuckled, and they walked towards the main gate of the school. Levi took a deep breath and occasionally looked at him. "You don't want to meet her?"

He mumbled. "Who?"

"The music student," said Levi in a whisper. He didn't want any art students to hear them talking about one of the music students. That will be a big problem later. "Next year, we will be in third grade and will prepare for graduation, as well as university entrance exams. Oh, I don't even have the courage to enter the Regional Art Competition.Should I just go back to Beijing?"

"Beijing? You sure can put up with your dad's ramblings because you chose art. You should go to business school, Levi," Kevin said.

The man laughed a little. "Not really. Maybe even when I'm in Beijing, I'll choose to live in a small apartment. I couldn't bear to hear my father nag me every day that I was their only son. That sounds really scary. Then how about you? What are your plans after graduation, eh?"

"Maybe I'll be back in Canada? I don't know, it feels like there's nothing I can do in Canada either. So, maybe I will just settle here in Manila? See you later, Levi," Kevin said.

"Are you not trying to reach that music student? If you're really interested in her, why don't you approach her after we graduate? At the very least, you're no longer bound by tradition, right?" The man suggested.

Kevin's footsteps stopped. Levi looked at him confusedly, but a second later, he smiled and hugged him tighter. "Levi, you are a genius sometimes!!"

Levi—pretended—groaned in pain and tried to escape from Kevin's embrace. "I know, I'm a genius, but can you not crush me?! Kevin!! Hey!"

But he ignored the man's complaint and pulled him towards their dorm, which is next to their school building. Most Cyanne Arts and Music High School students do live in dormitories that have been prepared by the school, because they come from various cities in the Philippines and even from abroad. Except for those who do live nearby.

Among them are Kevin and Levi, who live in the dormitory.

*****

"Hah, I hate easterly winds," Mark said as he pulled his coat tighter. Jacel just smiled faintly.

It's already December, and the temperature is dropping. And according to the weather forecast for December and January next year, it will be a month that is quite cold compared to the previous year. Mark was actually born in January. He should have survived this season, but he hates it, like he hates having to eat the bean sprout soup that his mother made.

Mark turned to his best friend. "Jacel, how was the final preparation? Are you really going to choose that song? Our teacher did give you another song title, didn't she?"

Jacel smiled again. "I know, but I love that song. After all, I've been practicing for two months with the song, and the show is only a week away. It is absolutely impossible to change the song's title. Hey, do you want us to lose in art class?"

Well, in the end, Jacel, Mark, and their other classmates were chosen to take part in the annual Cyanne Arts and Music High School Festival. Actually, Hunter and another classmate of theirs were also selected to represent the music class, but their classmate had to return to their province because his grandmother passed away. As for Hunter, he had to rest for three weeks due to pneumonia. Thus, the burden of responsibility is passed on to the remaining three representatives. Although there are several other students, the burden of being a soloist is the greatest.

Mark took a deep breath. "And will you hear our teacher's ramblings in the next semester? No, thank you. But our teacher said that the song doesn't highlight the character of your voice.

You're having trouble with some notes too, aren't you? It's too risky, Jacel," he said.

Jacel then put her arm around her best friend's shoulder. "Mark, you do trust me, don't you?" she asked him.

Mark just nodded. She smiled back. "Then believe me, I can do it. After all, in this world, nothing is impossible."

"Well, typical Jacel Kim. Alright. Continue doing what you want to do. Fighting, my friend!!" Mark exclaimed.

That made Jacel chuckle. "Fighting!!"

*****