Find your faith

Chapter 114: Teachers Day celebrations

Nicole's POV
"Hey Jennifer," I suggested. "Do you want to try the chips salad 8 point compass excluding Crystal and Ethan made or the candy salad the rest of the class is making?"

"I'm afraid I'll have to decline, it goes against my diet plan," Jennifer replied coolly. I sulked and decided to give her a chip salad. This was one of the few times we could get together, eat all the snacks we want and play games. Our student council president should seriously loosen up! Her plans to go professional in gymnastics isn't the end of the world.

So what about the chip salad? She relented, and we shared the chip salad while talking about common girl topics. By that, I mean boys, fashion and music.
YZ's POV
Hall
The celebrations eventually started properly, and the student leaders decided to host a quiz about how well we knew our teachers. One of the students asked "Before becoming a teacher, what did Mdm Aidah want to do?" Lucas nudged me to raise my hand and I raised it eagerly. "Oh, a member from the Crystal formed group 8 point compass! What's the answer?"

All eyes were on me as Lucas started chanting the answer intensely like we were in the occult club doing silly little rituals. I then took a breath and said, "Surgeon." We were given a prize for the teamwork before Lucas sat down and nudged me, whispering, "Told you the answer is a surgeon."
Flashback
3 Faith classroom
"3 Faith, the answer for this question may be copper oxide and hydrogen, but do we eat copper oxide?" Mdm Aidah asked.

"No," 3 Faith chorused.

"Very good, because if you do, you'll die! You should be eating instant noodles instead."
Present day
Ethan's POV
"And now, it's time for the solo performers. First we have Ethan Lim from 3 Faith who will singing and playing the guitar to 'pick up the phone' by Henry Moodie," the emcee announced. I ran on stage with my guitar and pre-attached microphone, plugging the cable into the amplifier.

With even just the first notes of the song, the cheers in the hall amplified. Everyone broke into a symphony of joy, which drove me to do its hype justice and sing with the technique and rhythm I always had. The hands? Ah, I didn't have to give a second thought about that. They were moving by themselves, strumming a tune to accompanying my sound. Everything fell into place then, like a perfect puzzle and I ended the last note on a high, lifting my hand into the sky. You could hear a pin drop right before the whole hall went into a standing ovation. I bowed down with emotion as I plugged my guitar out of the amplifier and emotionally clapped my hand with Crystal's signalling to her that it was her turn.
Crystal's POV
"Wasn't that a spectacular performance by Ethan today? I think we all know that his daily photography posts aren't his only talent now," the emcee announced. "But I think we have another performer warming up. I don't think I have to give a second introduction about her. Our next performer is Crystal Ong from 3 Faith! She'll be dancing to If by More More Jump!"

This song was my reason to live. It wasn't just the fleeting, short term duty of saving 3 Faith from that ditch Mr Williams created. It was a lifelong duty to be of help to others, the reason I even threw away the opportunity of the student council to achieve the company leadership I call my own now. I had to make sacrifices of all shapes and sizes, but if that means someone else is going to smile after that, I knew it would be worth it. Having failed a test for this moment to happen, this performance became so much more memorable on so many levels. I danced with even more eloquence than before, movements graceful yet energetic. Despite my bright stage presence, I didn't forget the basics that NDP thought me, the importance of counting to 8 and spinning in the right direction. It was easily understood that anime performances were frequently overlooked, but this time, no one in the audience judged. They were chanting my name throughout, even trying to sing the lyrics along with me. When the final notes of the song came along and my time on the stage ended, I was received by an even longer applause than Ethan had received, but eventually the crowd cheered, screamed and clapped for my performance at the end. I bowed down and ran backstage, unexpectedly leaping into Ethan's arms.
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Ethan: (while giggling) What is your problem? You actually can perform, but you chose to hide this talent by joining what? Girl-Guides!

Crystal: It's because performing isn't my life. I just got into it after my time preparing for a dance badge for my girl guides uniform and NDP. I can do anything I want. But anyway, I think that this performance was our best and that's what matters. The standing ovations and loud applause was just extra credit, hm?

Ethan: It's our last performance ever—

Crystal: Penultimate. We've got another to prepare. pokes Ethan on the nose, and both giggle