Duskwood After Story

Side Story: Que Sera, Sera

"And the winner of this year's National Youth Science and Engineering Competition is... Jake Nystrom! Congratulations on winning 4 times in a row, Mr. Nystrom!"

The MC announced the final result of the competition. Applause erupted from every corner of the room. Jake walked up onto the stage. As the bright lights shone down on him, he waited anxiously for them to present him with his prize. While this wasn't his first time accepting an award of this kind, he nevertheless had the same feelings of awe and nervousness.

"Jake! Smile!"

His Mom was sitting on the front row with a camera in her hand. She was aiming the lens at him, insisting that she capture the moment he held the gold trophy. She had accompanied him to this tournament every year since he was 13 years old. And every year, as Jake stood triumphantly on stage as the victor, she demanded the same picture. Next to her were his classmates who were cheering him on and hooted, "That's our golden boy! Woo!". Jake wanted to bury himself in a hole right there and then.

He awkwardly forced the corners of his mouth to curve up into a smile for his Mom.

"Hold it a bit higher, honey!" – She commanded.

He followed her order and raised the trophy till she said, "Stop. That looks good!", and pressed the shutter. She checked the photo momentarily then looked up at him with a big grin and a thumbs up. That was his cue to leave the stage.

As Jake hurried off the stage, the MC held his shoulder and laughed.

"Hold on, Mr. Nystrom. Not so fast. Please stay on the stage to take a photo with all the runners-up."

The audience burst into laughter. Jake dragged his feet back to the center of the stage where the other kids were standing. Aside from first place, there were second and third places, as well as several lesser participation medals. Jake inserted himself to the left end of the line, next to the second place kid.

While they waited for their picture to be taken, he peeked at the kid standing next to him. It was a girl much smaller than him. She clutched the silver trophy in her hands, as if she was afraid to drop it. Her face was serious, in contrast to the apparent cheerfulness of the room.

She suddenly turned to gaze up at Jake. Jake, who had been sneaking a glance, recoiled slightly, his mouth agape. The little girl gave him a brief, unblinking stare before turning her gaze back to the crowd.

A sigh of relief escaped Jake's lips. He was afraid that she was going to scold him for staring at her. Though, thanks to that, he then recognized her. She was also in the competition last year, also second place. Though she wasn't much taller, her hair had grown significantly longer. He adjusted his posture and readied himself for the photo again. Somehow, he was feeling even more nervous than before.

***

"Jake, stay here. I'm going to talk with your teachers for a bit, ok?"

At the parking lot, his Mom told him then ran to meet his teachers. They were there to advise him during the event. Jake, still carrying his trophy, made his way to the nearby staircase in search of a place to sit while waiting for his mother.

To his surprise, someone was already sitting at the stairs. Thinking it would be awkward for him to sit there as well, Jake turned around quickly and walked away. But he stopped dead in his tracks when he heard a soft voice singing a melody.

"When I was just a little girl

I asked my mother, what will I be

Will I be pretty

Will I be rich

Here's what she said to me

Que será, será