Find your faith

Chapter 102: Just look over your shoulder, we'll be there always

(Reference to You'll be in my heart)
Crystal's POV
"Crystal!" One of my juniors asked me when I reported to the concourse in half uniform. "I saw you crying outside that special classroom just now. Are you ok?"

"Better than I was crying," I replied. "Come on girls, we should get on cue before Mrs Teo scolds us!" All the girls then charged forward to their positions while I walked coolly to my position of the Singapore Flag pole, collecting myself with the memories made while preparing for this school-based NDP...
Flashback
"Majulah Singapura...Majulah Singapura..." Ethan and I sang together, before I whipped the spring into a special knot.

"Hey, you finally did it before the time was up," Ethan told me proudly.

"Well, thanks for talking to Mr Wang about letting me use this to practice. It's paying off!" I remarked, and then Ethan started giggling.

"You're so outgoing, but you're still so cute!!"
Present day
The fact I'm not a student leader yet raising a flag is such a rare feat, I knew I couldn't mess it up. But this time, I knew Xingqiu and Fiona Chan were going to bring the flag to me so I could raise it. After all, I have been surrounded by so many people to help me succeed. I'm never going to be alone anymore, so this time, I won't let anyone down.
Christina's POV
The music from the bagpipes started playing and my company was soon due to start marching. When the Girl Guides formed up, the National Police Cadet Corps started marching with synchronicity. Everyone wasn't a beat ahead or behind, and our arms swung in the same direction. I couldn't feel or hear anyone cracking up, we were all on the same page. We wanted to commentate our country's birthday with all solemnity.
Fiona Chua's POV
It is finally time to bring in the flags! The music changed and Xingqiu took a step forward. We all followed, taking deliberate and slow steps. At some point, we had to stop and quickly but effectively fold over the flag, draping it over Xingqiu's shoulders. Xingqiu then marched over to Crystal and handed the flag to her, the flag now on Crystal's shoulders.
Crystal's POV
Tying the flag to the pole, I got ready for the flag to be raised. The music started, and I started off with a gentle pull. Singing the national anthem, I paced myself out and this time, I didn't feel like I had to rush the flag raising process. Everything felt like second nature by then, as if I was actually a student leader that did this on duty. And no one knew that I had learnt about failing Literature before that unless I told them, because I told myself not to let the failure consume me to the point I couldn't raise a flag properly.
After rehearsals
Shay's POV
Shay: Ethan, give me your camera. I wanna show my friend. CRYSTAL!

Crystal: Shay! What's up?

Shay: Ethan just took a picture of you raising the national flag. He said he thinks you did very well, especially after you learnt about your terrible WA results.

Ethan: I didn't even tell you!

Shay: Loud voice idiot, I can literally hear you from 20 cm away.

John: Ethan! How did Crystal do for the NDP rehearsals after learning about her failure?

Ethan: Very well. Look at her! She isn't crying and she was on time throughout. I don't think anyone knows she failed her WA when they saw her raise the flag during rehearsals.

YZ: Wow, she's so professional! She can do well even under emotional duress!

John: Yea, she can do well even under emotional duress! I could never~

Lucas: Ohh, someone's really fired up for school-based NDP. Arms in, right here right now!

Chloe: Here?!

Anika: Because we can! We're 8 point compass after all!

Shay: Oo, can I join your tradition?

Lucas: Sure!
Everyone huddles together, gathering all their hands in one
Crystal: 1

Chloe: 2

Anika: 3

John: 4

Ethan: 5

Lucas: 6

Nicole: 7

YZ: 8

Shay: 9

All: 10
8 point compass!

Shay: featuring Shay!
All giggle and throw their arms up