Chapter 12

I was walking to the cafeteria when Hero came to me.

"So have you decided yet?" He asked while giving me a coffee. I nodded and gave him a smile. "Are you going to sing?"

"Yup. Mira wants me to continue our dream" I said and took a sip of the coffee he bought for me.

He patted my head before saying, "Good for you". Then he left me standing still. I don't know what to do. A lot of people saw that and this is also the first time someone did that to me.

My heart started to beat so fast and I could even hear its sound. What should I do? My heart feels like it's going to explode anytime now. Why are you doing this to me?

"Hey" I was startled by the voice behind me. It was Trever.

"H-hi" I stuttered.

He looked at the coffee I was holding and looked at what he was holding. 'Is that for me?' I asked my mind.

"you already have one," he said and then gave it to one of the girls that passed us. "We have a meeting later. " He then walked away.

Was he disappointed? What's with those two people? I haven't seen them talk to each other after the incident in the club.

My head was full of questions even when we started our class. I couldn't focus and take notes during the class but thankfully Rane wrote some.

"So we have Elly Mae as our representative in the singing contest" our prof. said. She also said the names of other participants in other contests. "I hope you help each other in preparing and remember to create banners to show your support"

"Are you really sure you want to join?" Rane asked me in a worried tone.

I tapped her shoulder. "Don't worry, I'm sure I'd do well," I said as an assurance.

Time passed by so fast and we didn't even notice it. We were busy practicing and creating banners. The rides were also completed.

Today is the day of the singing contest. I'm a bit nervous but I know for myself that I will do great. We're at the backstage waiting for me to get called.

"Number 9!!!" The emcee called my number. My friends immediately wished me good luck and went into the crowd. As I go up the stage, I could hear the shout of the crowd. It makes me less nervous.

I grabbed the microphone and let out a deep breath. I looked at the crowd and started singing.

As

I was singing my eyes caught the sight of a banner. A banner that can be carried by only one person. I looked at the person who was holding it. It was Hero. I don't know why but I couldn't take my eyes off him.

He looks so good right now. He's wearing a hoodie and fitted jean pants. It's a night festival and our prof. told us to dress comfortably. I can clearly see him because he's just a few meters away from the stage. He's smiling. A smile that could say the words 'You're doing great' with matching thumbs up.

I could feel myself smiling while singing and while looking at him. My heart feels warm. At this moment I couldn't see anyone else. I could only see him. And today I confirmed to myself that I, Elly Mae De Villa, am in love with Hero Riverdale.

When I returned to the backstage, Hero handed me a bouquet of red roses. He couldn't look at my eyes so he was facing his right side when he gave it to me. Of course, I was shocked by what he did so I couldn't move but after a few seconds, I held it.

"Thank you" I said while smiling.

"Have you seen ----" Cedrick stopped talking when he looked at the bouquet of roses I was holding.

"Yvonne?" I asked and he just nodded while his eyes are still fixed on the roses I'm holding. "Why don't you just tell her how you feel instead of pushing her away?"

"W-what?" He stuttered and Hero laughed at him so he glared at him.

"I mean you care for her, right?" I asked. "So you should just tell her before her feelings vanish"

Lately, I've noticed that Yvonne is avoiding him and whenever both of them are around, you can notice the cold atmosphere between them. Yvonne also said that she's preparing a birthday gift for Cedrick that he had always wanted in a gloomy way.

"W-what do you mean vanish?" he asked. I shook my head.

I faced Hero. "Anyway, Thanks for this," and I went outside so I could walk around before they announce the winners.

I kept smelling the flowers and kept on smiling even when the girls were around. They didn't ask who gave it to me so I think they know. Lane wasn't around because she's on a date with Axel.

We sat on a bench in the garden. Rane let out a heavy sigh so I got curious.

"What's with the sigh?" I asked.

"Yeah," Yvonne agreed. "You kept sighing earlier"

"Can I ask you something?" she asked.

"You're already asking," I said, "Just kidding"

"The truth is..." she's hesitant.

"You're in love with Roland?" Rane was shocked by what we asked.

"H-How?" she stuttered.

"I could tell it even before Elly transferred here" - Yvonne

"It was obvious," I said. "And there's no pure friendship between a man and a woman. There would be times that one of you would fall for the other"

Rane sighed again. "What should I do?" she asked worriedly. "We've been friends since we were children and if I confess to him and get rejected, we won't be able to go back to being friends."

"Why are you thinking about that?" Yvonne asked and she looked at us.

"Yeah," I said as I nod. "It hasn't happened yet, why worry about it? Maybe he feels the same way"

"Maybe one of these days" -Rane

We went back after that talk so we could be there when they announce the winner. After a few minutes, the emcee went up to the stage and it made me nervous. The boys also went to us and Hero stood beside me.

"D-did you like the flowers?" he stuttered. I nodded. I'll confess to him, maybe one of these days too. Just like Rane

"And the winner is...." the emcee intentionally cut off what he was saying to add tension in the atmosphere. "Elly Mae De Villa of Business Department!!"

I was so happy that time that I didn't know what I was doing. Hero hugged me and I hugged him back and jumped with him. The crowd suddenly went silent. That's when I let go of him and saw that they were looking at us.

We both cleared our throats and I went up the stage to get my trophy and I didn't know how that night ended.