Chapter 19

After the school ends, Ari finished the lyrics and we took a picture of it so that we can memorize and practice singing when we get home. We went to my house so that Ari can teach us the tune of the song. Let me tell you this, he's a good singer! His voice is husky when singing. It blended well with the catchy and upbeat melody. He said that he will worked on the whole song tonight and I reminded him not to sleep late. After that Riri joined us for dinner but Cal left without a word.... well he said 'I'm off', you know, his usual goodbye message.

Four days left, first day of recording, we went to a studio. Riri reserved it for us. Ari is in charge of the recording. I noticed the dark circles under his eyes, ayy, he didn't listen to me.

We recorded our voices. Because I am the original singer or the one who was assigned to sing, I have a lot of lines next was Ari then Riri and Cal had the least lines. I was sooo happy when Riri praised my voice! The only people who heard me singing were papa, Norvyn, Ari, and my bathroom. Then after that, Riri made us three stretched our body, a normal thing to do if you're dancing. I'm super excited and kinda nervous? I asked Riri if it's okay for me to do the dance and she said that the part that I'll do is just an arm movements. Calvin is a good dancer, didn't know he could do something like back flips! And I'm like woah! It's not obvious that he have the moves because he always sleepy and ignored the lessons. Now I wonder what will be his score this upcoming exam.

After some practice, we called it a day.

Three days left. We're here in our garden doing some video shooting. When Cal arrived he have this big camera with its stand. He's the first one to showed up. Riri's late by five minutes but it's okay... it's okay.

Cal shooted some scenes in our garden, sometimes he asked us to do some acting and we complied. No more being shy and stuff, we need this for the exemption!

Sometimes we act like we're talking and sometimes we need some props like books and pen so that it looked like we're studying. There is a part that we Riri have to act like a teacher while we three act like her students. Cal only has few records of himself. I can't blame him because it's hard to direct and be an actor at the same time. It's really fun acring and singing. I'm happy that I enjoyed all of my first time (acting).

It turned to night without us noticing. I am so dead tired that the first thing I did after we finished today's work was jump right to my soft bed. I didn't even notice that I fell asleep. That's why after I woke up, I hurriedly went to my bathroom and shower because ew! I fell asleep without cleaning my sweaty and stinky self?

I went to school with Ari then asked Cal about our video. He looked at me and said, one word, 'Good.', I knew that that's what I'm only getting and left him alone. The day normally proceed and no mishap happened. We practice and shoot the video, some scenes, we act like we're singing but no sound left our voice. I think lip sync is the word for that if I'm not wrong.

Days passed and it's now monday... the day we have to turn in the mv. I'm excited and nervous at the same time. Some of my classmates are in the same state.

I believe in Cal's work. I didn't saw the finish product but I know that it's good. It's Cal, we can trust in him.

The room became quiet as Ms. H entered. The shuffling of chairs are the only sound that can be heard.

Ms. H raised her right eyebrow, she walked towards the front table and sit on her chair. "Good morning class."

"Good morning Ms. H." the class said.

"Do you have your usb?" she asked. Oh yeah, we decided to just used the usb in containing the video.

"Yes." the students said at once.

"Good. Now stand up, we are going to the projector room." Huh? Why? I thought we're just giving the usb to Ms. H?

Confusion is visible on the faces of my classmates. We all thought the same.

"Did I forgot to tell you, that we're watching your music videos." Ms. H said.

..... One word.

"HAAAAHHHHH?!" Now the room is in chaos. They, no, we are in disbelief at what's going to happen. Many people complained at watching their videos. I am too because, why am I not? That would be embarrassing. The thought of many people watching your videos is a little bit intimidating.

Sigh. It's okay, Cooper! Think positive! They're just gonna watch the video that your group work hard on, nothing to be embarrass about.

"So this is how the grading works, all of the groups except the group that created the music video will rate it by lyrics, is it related to the topic and the overall theme of the video equals fifteen points. If your video is my top like you'll be automatically exempted. The one with the highest rate will also be exempted."

Ohhhh so that's how it works. I nodded showing that I understand.

We went to the projector room and sat by group. Cal and the other teams gave Ms. H the usb. I took a piece of paper and a pen so that we can grade the other team.

The first mv we watched is a good one. The song is good and they have a good singer, though the editing is a bit not good. I rate it a twelve out of fifteen points.

I looked at Cal who's watching the video too. "Calvin." I called.

He glanced at me and didn't say anything but I know whay that means, 'What?'.

"Do you think that this score gave them justice?" I asked, giving the paper to him. His eyes scanned it. "Hm."

Oh, great!

I continued to watched the video until the our video came up. Uuu, so nervous.

This is the first that I will see and watch our music video. I looked at Riri and Ari, Riri was covering her face while Ari have a poker face but his red ears betray his facade. I stared at Cal, he wore his usual expression, no hint of any other emotion. I narrowed my eyes at him. We'll see...

The video starts at me sitting on a bench our garden holding a book and a pen, my face twist in frustration. I closed the book and sighed, then I sang.

I looked at the reaction of my classmates, I saw some are nodding...it's a good sign right? We continued to watch the video until the chorus

[Math is fun, it's really really fun~]

Ahhh! So embarrassing! Yes, my two-line poem became a part of the chorus. I buried my head under my crossed arms that lay on the table.

"Hahaha! Look! Cooper is embarass." I heard Riri said to Ari. I don't know what is Ari's response but all I know that Riri won't stop making fun of me.

I continued to watch the video and it's the part where Cal was singing his part. I really, really love his voice. What a good singer! If I am a ten, then he is one hundred. His voice is low and husky and smoky when singing...you know what I mean? And the editing Oh my gosh, so good!

The video ends at four of us smiling at the camera. I looked at Cal to saw him nodding. Some people clapped. I saw them writing our score and hopefully, it'll be a high score. It's nothing bad at wishing right?

We watched the last few mv and I continued to write their grades while taking advice from Cal if what I give gave the group some justice. Aftet that, Ms. H took all of the papers and said that to wait in our classroom while she adds the total points of our video.

We exited the projector room and went to our classroom. While waiting, I strike up a conversation with Riri because she's talkative and fun to talk with, not like those two...

The chat ease my nerves and made me calm down. After what it feels like ten minutes, Ms. H come back with the results.

"First of all, all of you did a great job. Doing a music video within a week maybe made you pressured but there's a saying that diamonds are formed under pressure and look what it got you? Your mvs turned great!"

She smiled then continued, "I will announce first who became my top like." The room turned quite. Everyone is filling nervous.

"...Group three." There's a loud cheering that came from behind... congratulations.

The remaining groups become dissapointed including me, but it's okay! There's one more chance.

"And the group that I will say have the highest score from all of the groups."

Please be group five, please be group five, pleassseee be group five!

The Gods answered my prayers.

"Group five!"

We won.