Unspoken

Winner

Monday arrived with a vibrant energy humming in the school. The hall was abuzz with whispers and shifting feet as all the students and participants gathered, their eyes glued to the stage.

The sun filtered through the high windows, casting golden patches on the polished floor. Mrs. Gabriela Segovia, the principal, stood at the podium, a gentle but commanding presence.

"Good morning, everyone," she began, her voice amplified by the microphone. "Today, we celebrate creativity and talent. It's time to announce the winners of the art competition!"

A hush fell over the crowd, and the tension among the participants was palpable. Selena could feel her palms sweating, clutching them tightly in her lap, while Ana nervously adjusted her hair.

Mrs. Gabriela continued, "The third place goes to... Caspian Vargas from Grade 5-B!"

A loud cheer erupted as a small boy with curly hair shyly walked to the stage, receiving his certificate and prize. Selena smiled warmly, whispering to Ana, "He's so talented for his age. That's adorable."

Ana nodded but didn't speak, too focused on the next announcement.

"The second place," Mrs. Gabriela declared, pausing for effect, "is shared by two exceptional artists: Ana Lopez from Grade 8-A and Luna Cruz from Grade 7-A!"

Ana gasped, her face lighting up with a mix of surprise and relief. "Oh my gosh, I can't believe it!" she whispered excitedly, clutching Selena's arm.

"Congratulations!" Selena said earnestly, giving Ana a supportive squeeze. "You totally deserve it."

As Ana walked up to the stage to receive her award, the hall burst into applause. Selena felt genuinely happy for her friend, her heart swelling with pride.

Then came the moment everyone was waiting for. Mrs. Gabriela's voice grew serious, commanding everyone's attention. "And now, the first place, awarded to an artist whose work left the judges speechless..."

The crowd leaned forward, breaths collectively held.

"The first place goes to... Sophia Diaz from Grade 1-A!"

A ripple of disbelief spread through the hall, followed by loud cheers and claps. Rafael stood up instinctively, clapping with pride. "That's my little sister!" he said, his voice filled with affection and pride.

Mateo, sitting beside him, chuckled. "Your family really is full of surprises, huh?"

Sophia, a tiny girl with a bright smile and bouncing pigtails, ran to the stage, clutching her prize like it was the greatest treasure.

Selena turned to Rafael, smiling warmly. "You must be so proud of her."

"I am," Rafael said, his grin stretching from ear to ear. "She's amazing, isn't she?"

But as the applause died down and the winners left the stage, Selena felt a calm satisfaction settle over her. While she hadn't placed in the top three, she didn't feel disappointed.

Ana returned to sit next to her, her certificate in hand. "You're not upset, are you?" Ana asked, studying Selena's expression.

Selena shook her head, a mysterious smile on her face. "Not at all. I didn't enter to win. I have other plans for my sketch, and you'll see soon enough."

Ana squinted at her, a playful suspicion in her eyes. "Are you still going to keep it a secret?"

Selena smirked. "For now. But trust me, it'll be worth it."

Just then, Miss Rosa took the microphone. "Congratulations to our winners! Now, all the participants' artworks are displayed in the exhibition hall. Feel free to explore and admire the incredible creativity of our students."

Selena glanced at Rafael, who was still grinning proudly. She couldn't help but wonder what his reaction would be when he saw her sketch. Her heartbeat quickened slightly, but she kept her expression steady.

As the crowd began to move toward the exhibition, a quiet sense of anticipation filled the air.

What exactly was in Selena's secret sketch? Why was she hiding it, and who was the mysterious girl she had drawn? 

These questions lingered, adding a layer of suspense to the cheerful atmosphere.