NOT A TOTAL LOSS

"And the winner of Winderhill High's 46th Annual Talent Time goes to..." Mr Sinclair announced, "Anna and Odette for their duet, Adegio, Second Movement from Concerto No. 9 in A Minor!"

The blond girl with the expensive violin and her friend who didn't want to make trouble came up on stage amidst polite applause and some booing led by Troy and Terrance in the Class 1-7 section of the hall.

I watched as they passed us on stage, still reeling from shock. A lot of thoughts ran through my head.

Maybe there was some kind of mistake.

Maybe 1st runner up was really 1st place.

Maybe the school was just cheapskate and only had 2 gold medals so the winner had to only have 2 members.

I mean, there were only two gold medals on the table, and six silver ones for us, and nine bronze medals for the all-girl dance act... How did they know they would only need this number of medals? So the placing was predetermined? Like when? When was it decided that we would be first runner up?

Anyway, we all took a last bow. Jules announced that the winner would be performing an encore. Nobody cared because we heard it already (and it was very boring).

I hung my head feeling stupid because I thought we were going to win, but mostly because the idea that the results had already been predetermined and the medals bought and prepared ahead of time didn't even occur to me.

I took the medal in my hand. It was heavy and all official looking with Winderhill's crest on it and "46th Annual Talent Time First Runner up" engraved on it.

Was I being too suspicious? Maybe they did have nine medals of every color and somebody had counted them out and placed them just before the results were announced. When? Mr Sinclair looked like the folded result slip had been secret until the actual announcement, was that just for the suspense?

I didn't know what to believe anymore.

And I really didn't want to sound like a spoiled sport or sour grapes but this competition didn't feel fair at all.

If this year was focused on Classical Music, shouldn't they have announced it from the start? I mean, think of the magic act and the puppet act! Why call it a Talent Time when it was a Classical Music Competition?

I took off my medal the moment we got backstage. If there was a bin next to me, I would've dropped it in, but there wasn't so I had to hang on to it. You know, keep litter in its place and all that.

Oh I was so naive!

We had worked so hard, stressed so much, bought new clothes, just for today. But our fate was sealed from... I couldn't even think when we had performed at a standard deserving of a silver medal before this.

Maybe from the moment Henry donated generously to the Talent Fund. Considering how badly we used to play, Henry must have donated A LOT to secure second place.

If I ever had to name a moment of disillusionment in my life, this would be it. I had never felt so cheated of my win, so naively duped, so...so... disappointed by anything in my life.

I just wanted to crawl home and stew in my bath forever.

Meanwhile, the stage was being rearranged for the duet and the guys were called to go out and shift some of our equipment offstage to make space.

Henry gave me an awkward pat on the shoulder as he passed, "Forget about it, Sam. It's just a stupid competition."

Eh, what? I stopped growling, wait, was I growling?

And I didn't need to be comforted by Henry! Especially since Henry's the one about to have his allowance cut because of this stupid competition. Especially since his voice betrayed his disappointment too! I folded my arms to sulk.

Stupid competition. Stupid Henry. Stupid Me.

I quickly stopped thinking at this point because if I thought any more about it, I was sure to cry. I'm not even sure why. It was just unfair, and we worked so hard, and I guess most of it was just the disappointment - at the actual result, yes, but also at the fact that our medals were probably bought and the results predetermined way ahead of today. The competition was long over and we didn't even know it. I felt like all kinds of stupids. Stupid, stupid, stupid!

Henry was right. It was just a stupid competition.

I could hear a violin being tuned against the piano over the noise of the audience. I guess the winner's performance was about to happen now.

Even though I knew it was just a stupid competition, part of me felt a little envious. This could've been us.

By now, the guys had returned.

"She still mad?" Marcus asked, literally behind my back.

"Like hell." Henry smirked, "Just leave her alone."

He grabbed EJ by the scuff before he could bound over, "I said leave her alone. Where's Fluff?"

And then suddenly the wail of an electric guitar.

The school got quiet. We all spun back to the stage to look from the wings. The other performers came over too.

"That's NOT classical." Someone commented.

No. That was Fluffy.

"I challenge you, pretty schoolmate." Fluffy was pointing his bow at the blond violinist girl. He stuck a dramatic pose, "I cannot accept this defeat based on an arbitrary focus on classical music. Neither do I believe my classical violin can lose to yours."

What classical violin? Fluffy, you were holding an electric violin!

But apparently, if the effects box was unplugged, it turned out that an electric violin could sound like quite a normal violin.

Fluffy played a few quick scales to tune up and match his competition.

"If I win, Pretty Schoolmate must exchange your medal with me."

Anna, the pretty schoolmate looked aghast at the challenge. Where was Mr Sinclair? Why was no one coming up to stop this?

The audience cheered and clapped. This was definitely more interesting than a replay of Adagio whatever it was.

I stood at the side wings of the stage, silver medal still in hand.

"I guess it really ain't over until the fat lady sings." Henry smirked from next to me.

I guess not.

"Fluffy's serious now." EJ informed us. So this was Fluffy's serious face? It was still his smiling mask, so it was hard to tell.

Mr Sinclair came up to the stage and waved for it to stop. He walked about looking for a mic he could use but we've kept them. Finally, Ramona passed him the MC's mic, "Now, see here..."

{EJ, get your butt here and move the school.} Fluffy ordered through the mindlink.

EJ bounded up immediately, grabbing the nearest mic and tooting, "Hoi hoi! Let's do it! Violin face off!"

The school cheered.

"No... I said..." Mr Sinclair said.

"Booo!!!" EJ waved for the school to join him, then he said, "Now who wants to have a face off? Pretty School Mate VS Pretty Boy! Make some noise!"

The school cheered.

"But..." Mr Sinclair said.

"Booo!!!!" Said EJ and the rest of the school.

Mr Sinclair looked out to the judges. The discipline mistress (who was one of the judges stood up.)

"Face off! Face off! Face off!" EJ led the school in chant.

The discipline mistress came up. She took the mic from EJ (smart woman), and then she raised her hand for the school to be quiet.

"Boooo...." The school complained.

Matt came up on stage.

The school quietened a bit - at least the seniors who were from Matt's pack did. This was the power of a beta.

He took the mic from Mr Sinclair, "Shut up."

The rest of the school shut up. Some of the girls giggled. I've been told Matt was a very cool student president who rarely got angry, but when he did, some of the girls thought it was very sexy. Girls were crazy like that.

Anyway, I wondered if Matt would be angry.

"Opp. Now you've done it. Matt's mad now." Marcus commented.

Oh. He didn't really look that mad. Wait, "Me? What did I do?"

The discipline mistress took over, "Thank you, Matthew. Now, school... the competition results are final."

"Booo!!!!" EJ booed her from the stage. Matt had to go over to him before he shut up.

"You're going to start a riot, Sam." Marcus shook his head at the scene outside.

What? Me? Why was he blaming me? Because they were my wolves? Ack! Was it my responsibility to stop them?

(What if I didn't feel like stopping them? Omo)

Maybe the discipline mistress felt it too. For most part, a school should not let students overrun authority... but there were times when it was wisest to stand down. She quickly held up her hand, "BUT... we will allow a little friendly competition, only if Anna agrees and if its classical music."

What's this competition with classical music anyway?

But now the whole school was looking to Anna. She managed a jerky nod, "Fine. But only if I get to choose the song."

"Anything you can play, I can play better." Fluffy boasted with his beautiful smile, and then he added with a suggestive shrug, "But don't take my word for it. Try me."

EJ grabbed the mic from Matt and tooted, "It's on! Let's go!"

"Oddie, play Andante, Op. 75." Anna instructed primly.

I worried for Fluffy. How would he know the song? Classical music all sounded as similar as their names to me. But Fluffy continued posing confidently, smiling mask in place, waiting for his turn as Anna played.

Meanwhile, the teachers got off the stage and Matt came backstage with EJ, "I'm just here to return your wolf. Sorry, just doing my job."

Hahaha. Why did he have to apologize? Poor Beta.

And then he said, "You guys were really good out there. Guess it's a Night Leaf thing, huh?"

Huh? Why would he think that?

"Thanks." Henry said when I only looked confused, "And thanks for bringing this troublemaker back."

"No problem, Alpha." Matt nodded politely and repeated, "Just doing my job."

Aruguably, EJ was just doing his job too, right?

Suddenly, the music in the background shifted its mood. It sounded like the same song being repeated but different. We all stopped just for the moment to see Fluffy center stage, his alpha charisma shining like the sun as every note danced like sunlight across a wide ocean.

I had ever heard someone say that classical music can transport you to a different place. I had understood it like how books could transport you to a different place, which was like how a good movie could transport you to a different place, but now I was like wow. It was like he brought the sea into the school.

And then it was over like the sunset. It had to be magic even though I hadn't smelled any trace of it.

Like just now, when I sang and connected with the school. And now when Fluffy played the violin... I had no idea an everyday thing like music was a kind of magic too.

I blinked when it was over. Again! I wanted Fluffy to do it again! Oh, so this was the meaning of "encore."

Wow, I was learning so much suddenly. About music, and stupid competitions, and the real meaning when the audience shouts encore.

"Fluffy, you were amazing!" I told him the moment he came backstage.

Fluffy beamed and pushed the gold medal in my face, "For you, pretty alpha."

What? I blinked at my reflection in the golden medal, "But... But you won it."

"Yes. For you." Fluffy smiled, "Pretty Alpha wanted this right?"

Eh? I shook my head, somewhat stunned. Why would I want a medal I didn't win?

I took the medal and dropped it over Fluffy's head, "It's yours, Fluffy. You earned it."

Now it was Fluffy's turn to look surprise. And then he smiled, "Thank you pretty alpha! I'll treasure it always!"

You earned it yourself! I didn't give it to you! I... Wth. No matter how cool Fluffy could be, he was still really messed up. Maybe growing up as a vampire princess' pet dog did that to you.

"Well, at least one of us got a gold." Marcus sighed.

"Well, you got yourself a band." I said suddenly noticing the bright side of things, "And Henry's got the girl."

Opps. I slapped my hand over my mouth. Where did that come out from?

Henry just smirked and wrapped an arm around Janice, "I guess it's not a total loss."

Marcus only chuffed, "Okay, you win as always, Alpha."

Which pleased Henry very much.

"Hoi hoi!" EJ cheered, "Let's go celebrate after this! Scary Alpha's treat!"

Henry laughed, "Sure. Whatever."

Like seriously? Would this be a bad time to remind you that you've just lost all your allowance?

Oh, and wait... I had something on after this... candence or something.

"Maybe after-party tonight though." Henry said, "I have a date later."

He dropped a low growl at Janice and took her hand. She blushed and looked shyly away. It was... I don't know... very uncomfortable for me to see. I just... They were my school friends and we were in school and... the PDA... Henry wasn't like this even with Abigail. Was I being a prude? Why did I not like to see my friends touchy feely? And didn't Janice love Marcus? And arughhhh... my brain can't take this!

"Oh, and Fluff. Trouble you to rearrange the dates for tonight. I'll be going with Janice." Henry decided as if completely unaware of my inner turmoil.

"Understood, Scary Alpha." Fluffy smiled.

Henry leaned in closer to Fluffy and lowered his voice, but I could still clearly hear him, "And keep a close watch on your Alpha. She's damn unstable right now."

And who's fault was that? You playboy extrodinare! Grrrr....