Talented Me! 32

Wilona slowly lifted her hands to her face. With just a single touch, she touched a drop of water. Noticing that she was crying, she rubbed her eyes trying to stop the tears. The more she rubbed, the more it hurt, and her silence was broken. Sobs escaped from the gaps of her mouth filling the otherwise quiet room.

The teacher, worried, fretted around her. He was unsure of what to say or do. He grabbed a tissue and handed it to her.

"What's wrong? Was it something I said? Or do you need anything? Should we step outside for a moment?"

Wilona sniffed, "No no, it's fine." Thanking him, she started to dab her eyes. "It's just, what you said, I- thank you."

Wilona couldn't find the right words to express what she felt. It was warm and nice and fuzzy. A kind of feeling you can't describe but love dearly. The kind of feeling that comes after a storm. The kind of resolution that lives in the depths of conclusion. All she knew was that she had to thank him.

Watching them, a boy fidgeted in his feet. The speech had touched his heart, and even more when Wilona cried. The gnawing sensation in his mind gradually grew before he couldn't stand it.

"Hey," he called out. He stood up from his seat and stepped aside. "I'm sorry."

He bowed at a 90-degree angle and clenched his fist and hands. He was nervous, scared because he knew full well that somethings didn't receive forgiveness.

His actions were filled with sincerity, and once he lifted his head, he stared straight at Wilona. "I hope you forgive me, but I know what I did was wrong. I'm sorry, Wilona."

Stepping towards Wilona, he hugged her. "I'm sorry for everything."

He opened his mouth ready to say more, but the more he tried, the more he realized how tough it was. No words could come out, and all he could do was hug Wilona tighter. A soft body shook in arms and her head rested on his shoulders. Slowly, a wet patch bloom, but he did not move. At least, this, he could do right.

One by one, the class stood up and apologized. Some had shorter apologies, while others apologized with all their heart. Everyone there deeply thought about their actions, considering the true effects of the days before.

People stepped forward to join the hug and slowly, the circle grew large. Wilona was trapped in the middle barely able to see the outside. Her tears had long dried and replacing it was a beautiful smile.

It shined brightly like countless diamonds. It was beautiful, to say the least, and to say the most, it was like seeing the rise of dawn with your own eyes.

Tears remaining in her eyes glistened in the light, while her whole body glowed with radiance. She stood in the middle like a beacon of happiness, and everyone felt cleanse. Without words, they felt they had all received forgiveness.

Wilona didn't know, but all the teachers planned this out. In each class, after the campaign, they talked about the recent disputes among them. Wilona wasn't the only victim, but she was the most noticeable. No one didn't know about what happened to her, and it was common news. Together, they all cleared the misunderstandings encouraging the students to stop bullying, apologize, and be better people.

Walking down the hallways, Wilona was stopped every few seconds by people who wished to apologize. Instead of scrutiny, she received smiles. Instead of judgment, she received high fives. It was weird to experience from one miserable place to a place of kindness; it was surreal.

None of it felt real; it was fake. People who found it easy to be mean found it even easier to be nice. She, who felt uncomfortable at their harsh gazes before, now felt awkward against their newfound kindness.

Her smile was forced and her belly churned. A thousand butterflies nested in the pits of her stomach, flying in a million different directions. Her lungs felt tight as if someone was squeezing them, and her breathing contracted. A loud siren echoed in her head wailing at 95 decibels.

Unable to handle it, she ran away avoiding the smiles, the high fives, and them. It was an escaping kind of run where she didn't know where she was heading; all she wanted to do was avoid. Her feet lead her to an unexpected place, but she felt it was right. She was at the greenhouse.

Avina looked around spotting the bench and sat down. Her chest heaved up and down, and she closed her sore eyes. Avina slumped in the seat as the energy drained from her body. Her eyes were sore from crying and now her legs were sore as well.

'I'm glad that that's over,' Avina sighed. It was well deserved, but it was too weird to experience (The whole thing: the speech, the apologies, the whole thing).

Even in her world, no teacher ever stood up like that and made such a passionate speech in front of everyone. It was always a behind-the-scenes action where all they hoped for was that it would end. But, sometimes it didn't, and sometimes it just got worse.

To see them do such a thing, to see them change everyone, Avina felt it was a miracle. She was grateful because this was what Wilona deserved- apologies. Although, the apology of Adi was much more needed.

Bathing in peace, Avina calmed down. Her racing heart slowed, and her eyes began to feel better. The birds tweeted in the background and with every few movements, there was the rustling of the leaves. The wind blew an elegant fragrance across her nostrils smelling of lavenders and freshly cut grass.

She heard the sound of nature. It was quiet and peaceful but occasionally a small sound interrupted. It was a melody of beauty in tranquility, the type to be unnoticed by the business of life. Slowly, she hummed. Her voice followed the waves of blue striding in the steps of Waltz. She found a soul in the life around her and enjoyed it. It was nature's glory and she was the prime witness.

"Wow," a soft echo crashed into the song. Interrupted, Avina stopped and found the person behind a tree. It was Gina.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt you." Gina walked out and sat on the bench beside her. "But that was good. You don't sound as bad as last night."

Her? Good? Impossible!

"Me?" Avina pointed at herself. "I don't think you heard clearly."

Gina nudged her, "Heard clearly? I heard perfectly! You can't sing, for sure, but I think you can hum quite beautifully."

Pointing towards her neck, she hummed. "See? I can't even do it as well as you. Try again and let me hear. But this time, focus on making the sound clearer."

Avina, doubtful but curious, hummed again paying attention to her word of advice. She closed her eyes concentrating on that last thread of melody floating in the air. Slowly, the same song seeped from her mouth lightly flying in the sky. Gentle and soft, it caressed your ear telling you everything would be fine. Finishing, she opened her eyes again letting her vision be covered by the blue sky.

"See? That sounded great," Gina whispered. She had her eyes closed as well immersing in the loveliness given to her. A slight breeze floated past them lifting their hair like a thread being spooled.

"If you can't sing in the show, then hum. Just remember, find that feeling that you found right now."

Avina placed her words into her heart. Nature. Melody. A song of beauty. A soft vibration in her throat and a melody that she never knew existed in her.

"Okay," Avina answered. This was a stroke of good fortune! She had a way to win the second round.

The day was different from other days. She was no longer a subject of harsh stares, but of kind ones. It was unusual at first, she admitted, but she soon got used to it. Avina had thought the shadow of Adi would visit once, but she couldn't see her at all. (Of course, that was good news)

The room was empty and silent. No one was here. Avina was busy finishing the remainder of her homework scribbling on various papers. Today was another shooting day, and Avina was confident.

Gina had praised her humming skills and despite the theme being "Singing", at least this was something. Along with Sandra, one who had professional lessons, she was sure this would be another easy win.

Avina had been monitoring the voting session for the photography portion, and of course, Sandra's and hers were the best. Following them in second place was Will's, and dead last were the two other civilian contestants.

Avina smiled as she finished her last sentence. Quickly, she placed her items away and headed towards the door. Giving it a big tug, she was confused.

No matter how hard she pulled, the door wouldn't budge. The rattling of the door against the frame echoed in the room along with the clock. The more the seconds ticked, the worse her anxiety got. She was trapped!