Nini Anderson.
Manchester, United Kingdom.
A beautiful morning with a different cycle. The sky was so blue, the birds chirping and the flowers dancing to the west due to the cool morning breeze. It was that time of the year I waited for, my first entry to a singing contest in school. We had been looking forward to it since January and it had finally arrived.
It was about to be hosted by my school, Norman Middle school, where I attended. It was an exciting thing for me to be a student because I had access to engage in different activities like science, sports, and others in different curriculums. I was a science person and that was a fact. I loved to observe and make inferences as to how the world came about and to mix chemicals. Thursdays were my favorite day- the day we had our science practicals. Sometimes, I decide to wake up as early as I can just to be present in school. In my way, I was avoiding unforeseen circumstances so as not to miss the practicals.
People thought I was too smart to be a ten-year-old because I was ever driven by curiosity, hopefully, my curiosity won't kill the cat. But what can I say? With my eagerness to gain knowledge and my passion to answer my curiosity, I put myself in places that are beyond me and my intellectual development.
The contest was going to start at eleven am in the school hall but I was one of the early birds in school. I couldn't contain the excitement I felt. Their faces will have surprises written all over them by the time I start to perform. Some students might look at this moment as only a contest but for me, it wasn't. It was a way to express my feelings with my voice. It was a way I survived. It was that consuming passion. A desire.
I walked down the hallway and noticed how it was buzzing with energy. Students are up and about carrying out different activities. Some with banners to be pasted, some rehearsing their performances in corners, some conversing with friends in enthusiasm. I greeted my friends who were among the bunch with a wave, continuing my walk to the main hall.
I was so carried away in fascination that I didn't realize I was about to bump into someone, and when I did, it was too late as I had already dropped flat to the ground. Such a nice way to ruin a person's day.
"Hey, nerd!"
I could recognize that voice even in my sleep. Karen was ready for her usual torments.
Karen was a meanie. A classmate I never wished to have. She was taller and way older than us. We don't talk about her age so much but by my guess, she should be fifteen or sixteen. She never failed to stab me with her nasty choice of words, including some of my classmates she had her eyes on. Bullying was her hobby, and her juicy targets were the weak people, me in particular. Well, I wasn't ready to make her ruin my day.
"What do you want?" I asked with a sigh, attempting to pick myself from the ground.
"I want you to know that this competition is mine," With a smirk, she cracked her knuckles and looked straight at me in the eye. "I'm here to win. Get that into your thick, blockhead."
Standing up straight, I gave her a bored glance before replying, "I'm not in any competition with you." And that was the plain truth. It wasn't a win or lose thing for me. It was all about my passion and someone here was trying to take it too far.
"I don't care! Just make sure you aren't in my way!" She warned, pointing her index finger at me. With a scoff, she sashayed off.
Karen was a great singer, hard to admit. She hit every note and key perfectly, especially during our music classes. She knew how to carry a high pitch and go low when necessary. Saying she was good is an understatement, she was perfect! In size, attitude and music, I was no match for her. But when it came to science and brain work, I took the lead.
"Alright kids, get set and enter the hall," My favorite teacher, Ms. Annabel announced, motioning for us to move towards her.
I ran to the restroom to check my appearance for the last time. My plain white shirt was ironed, a little rumple resulting from the fall but nothing too obvious. I straightened out my black skippy skirt, adjusting my bowtie so it wouldn't be too loose or too tight. After that, I packed up my afro hair into a bun. Perfect.
With slow, calculated steps, I entered the main hall. I gasped at the gorgeous sight. Balloons of different shapes, sizes, and colors were tied to the walls and tables, flowers included.
The beauty of the hall brought down my morale a little bit. What if I fumbled in the hall filled with so many people from different places? The embarrassment would be too much to handle. Taking a deep breath to calm my racing heart, I recalled the reason why I was participating in the competition.
"I'm doing this for you mum", I muttered.
My mom had been my backbone while I grew up. She kept motivating me and training me to sing every note right. She was a music coach. She admired and loved that profession so much. I could feel her heart speaking whenever she took her time to teach me after school hours. She was the only one who'd heard me sing but the Judges' reactions mattered to me at the moment.
"What are you doing Nini? Sit amongst the contestants," Ms. Annabel snapped me out of my thoughts. With a small smile, I did as I was told.
"Good morning ladies and gentlemen," a voice reverberated in the hall. The host gave a dramatic bow following his greeting. "You are all welcome to the first singing contest hosted in Norman Middle school." The hall was filled with the sound of applauds, and shrill screams and whistles.
"Thank you all so much for coming. Before the show starts, I'd like to welcome our Judges who will be judging these little ones in the contest. First of all, give a round of applause for Mrs. Williams Jones, the headteacher of Norman Middle school." A standing ovation and another round of applause were given as Mrs. Williams walked in to take her seat at the judges' table.
"Next, we welcome our second Judge, Max Williams!"
This got the crowd so excited, especially the female population. Max is a senior at Norman highschool. He was every girls' crush. Dripping with confidence, coupled with his deep-set eyes and an alluring smile, he was able to attain the title of the 'dream boy'.
"Thank you so much for having me," he said with a bow, waving as he walked in to take his seat.
"And... Last but not the least, our beautiful judge, Ms. Annabel!"
I gave a standing ovation regardless of the clapping crowd. She was my favorite teacher and so she deserves a favorite welcome. She stood up from the audience and walked towards the Judges' table like the Queen that she was.
"Way to go Ms. Annabel!" I screamed with a grim to which she turned back and blew a kiss.
I blushed.
"Ladies and gentlemen, are you all ready?"
"Yes, we are," We screamed in unison.
"Are you all ready?!"
"Yes!"
"Very good. Now, here comes our first contestant, Karen Underwood!"
My smile wore off at the sound of her name. I wasn't hoping to be the first contestant to begin the show but couldn't they use someone else? I gave applause reluctantly and rolled my eyes.
She grabbed the mic and the first line she sang was so beautiful, that I could not deny it. It got the audience's attention and they all screamed and clapped even more. The Judges were all smiling. That sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach started again. I was beginning to feel intimidated.
She was singing the greatest love of all by Whitney Houston. One of my favorite songs ever. She had her poise and emotions altogether. It was amazing. I had no doubts that she would win, if possible, be among the top three but I wasn't moved to feel low about myself. It was a race I had to win. The other five contestants sang after she was done. But none were as good as Karen's.
"Next up, Niniola Anderson!" He didn't even pronounce my name right. My body froze and my mind went blank at the sound of my name. It was my turn but I was tensed as ever.
"Come on. Stand up and let's hear the frog voice you got," Karen mocked, giving rise to the loud snicker from the kids around me. Ignoring them, I inhaled and exhaled, telling myself that I would be fine. Then I walked up to the stage with confidence. As I took the microphone, I let my eyes wander around, searching for my mother.
"You can do it," My mom mouthed with her two hands beside her lips as our eyes met. Nodding my head, I started.
I was singing where does my heartbeat now by Celine Dion, another favorite song of mine. I sang the notes with my emotions. I pictured myself in my room, putting on my headphone, mumbling the song word for word. I found myself in another world as I let my voice take over my fears and insecurities. I could hear the crowd cheering and the excitement kept getting stronger and stronger.
Suddenly I was brought back. I went silent. I gasped for air. Something got into my throat and I tried to cough it out.
"Spitball?" I muttered while I looked at it in my hand but wondered how where it came from.
I was finally relieved. I choked on a spitball right in front of everyone. My confidence went low and I grew silent. My eyes caught Karen trying to hold in her laughter. It was obvious she was behind this. I couldn't hold the shame anymore. I fell the mic to the ground and ran backstage.
I cried. It was my perfect moment. She couldn't even let me have this in peace. She ruined my moment, the little world I found myself in. She ruined everything. I tried to hold in my tears but they kept flowing.
"Well... Well... Well, look who just got hurt." Karen walked in on me laughing as though she just watched a funny scene in a movie.
"You did this right? You did this just because you were afraid I'd sing better than you," I sobbed.
"Shut that mouth of yours, Nini. Do you think I'd let you steal my spotlight? I warned you already before it all started but you proved stubborn," She retorted with her lips pulled up to one side.
"You're so heartless. You are!" Before I knew it, I found myself pouncing on her. The struggle didn't last for long as she was able to overpower me soon enough.
Grabbing my hands, she flung me to a pack of boxes on the right-hand side of the backstage. I let out a shrill cry as I felt a painful sensation that I couldn't explain.
She adjusted her hair and made her walk out.
"And next time..." She paused, " work on your not choking." With a mocking laugh, she sashayed out of the place.
I tried to stand on my feet but I fell back so hard. The pain I felt increased, making me cry louder.
"Sweetie oh my gosh, what happened?" I saw my mom rushing me after the question. She helped me up, wiping off the dust and dirt on my body with a handkerchief.
"Karen ruined my stage performance and bullied me here too," I sobbed.
"Oh, my baby!" She pulled me into her warm embrace, patting my back in a bid to stop my tears.
"Why does she keep bullying me? She treats me badly every time. I'm tired of being me. I wanna be someone else."
"I know it's really hard for you right now but that's because you're still little. When you grow up, it won't be like this."
"It won't?"
"Yes, my love. It won't because you're so beautiful and smart. And do you know what happens to smart people? They become the boss."
"Really mom?"
"Yes. And no one bullies the boss. Not on your watch."
I wiped my tears with my mid-arm. Her words made me smile a little.
"Then I can't wait to be big and be the boss!"
"That's my baby girl", She pulled me close and gave me an assuring hug.
Because I'll bully them first. I muttered with a smirk.
And for that period of discussion, something changed. Little did I know that something would be me.
