Star & Twinkle (Completed)

Chapter 2

Days went by and Star was starting to feel a bit better. Arnel, Agnes and the other adults thought she got over her heartbreak quick because she was still young, but her heartache remains the same and she was far from forgetting all of it. This marks the very first time she hid her emotions to her parents because she thought they were going through enough with all the financial difficulties the family is dealing with. She remembered her conversation with her parents a couple of days ago about helping them out by joining a singing contest. Star was still upset over Alfred, but she wanted to focus her energy onto something else. Motivated, she got herself together and ran towards the treehouse and started practicing there. For a twelve year old kid, she had so much potential. Neighbors would often come by to hear her practice, and she always left them in awe. She loved to sing, so she didn't mind doing this for her family. She thinks the money she's going to earn if she did win was a bonus. Every day after school, she would run to the treehouse, do her homework and continue practicing. She sang her heart out; she poured all her loneliness from Alfred leaving
into the song. She sang everyday, careful not to strain her throat.

A couple of weeks have gone by, she didn't want to wait any longer. She told her parents she was ready, and they helped enter her into one of the singing contests happening during their town's annual feast. Star was confident. Kaya ko 'toh. She thought. On the day of the contest, girls between the ages of twelve to seventeen lined up to sing their heart out. She was one of the youngest to join. While waiting for the contest to start, the girls practiced backstage except for Star. She sat amused at all the contestants. It was as if a whole new world has opened up to her, and she was overwhelmed. They all have great voices, but were completely different from one another. "First time mo?" Star was startled at the voice that interrupted her thoughts. She looked to where the voice had came from. One of the contestants sat across from her, smiling. Star smiled back at her, "Ah, oo. First time ko." The girl smiled again and held her hand out to Star, "Ako si Vicky." Star reached for her hand and shook it, "Star." Vicky nodded as she smiled and said, "Ang ganda naman ng pangalan mo." Star smiled, "Salamat, sayo din." The two were about to engage in a conversation when another voice butted in. "Pero hindi ibig sabihin magiging super STAR sya." Star and Vicky both looked and saw one of the contestants that almost looked like a Filipino barbie doll but with tons of make up who happened to pass by from behind them. Vicky leaned over to star, "Si Elena." Star's gaze quickly followed Elena, "Sino si Elena?" She asked. Vicky sat back at her chair letting out an irritated sigh. She crossed her arms, "Naku Star, hindi mo na kelangan pang problemahin yun si Elena. Kung gusto mong makakita ng manikang kumakanta pero mahina na baterya, pakinggan mo yan si Elena." Star giggled, "Pero bakit sya andito kung hindi sya magaling?" Vicky sighed, "Hay Star, baguhan ka pa nga. Wala ka pang alam." This sparked Star's curiosity, "Edi turuan moko para may alam ako." The two exchanged smiles. Right then and there, they hit it off. Vicky was generous enough to let Star in on some advice on how to sing properly as well as some juicy gossip. Vicky shared that Elena was a "wanna be" singer who would always join because her parents sponsored the contest. She added that Elena would win most of the time because her parents would bribe the judges with money or threatened to completely cancel the show which people can't let happen because the singing contest has been a part of the traditions that occur during their town's annual feast. With the little time they have before it was Star's turn to sing, Star and Vicky immediately became friends.

When it was Star's turn to sing, she inhaled and counted backwards from ten to one as she exhaled. One of the staff wished her good luck as she made her way on stage. Her palms started to sweat, and she became even more anxious. Star stepped on the stage, determined to continue. She stared at the hundreds of people that stared back at her. Her stomach rumbled, seemingly upset, and she felt like she was about to vomit. Then, the music started. Star slowly began to relax as she melted into the melody of the song. She closed her eyes, swaying into the music as she started to raise the mic up by her mouth. As she drifted into the song, she imagined she was back into her comfort place, the treehouse. It was as if you could hear a pin drop; the audience was definitely anticipating to hear her voice. Then, Star began to sing. She immediately embodied the song, every melody, every lyric and just like always, she poured her heart out. She sang with great emotion that immediately captured the audience. The judges quickly nodded with approval. When she sang the high notes, the audience cheered. It was only then that she opened her eyes and loved what she saw. She loved how they cheered, she loved how they all looked at her all mesmerized and most of all, she loved the attention. This motivated Star even more. She gave out a powerful finish. Star inhaled every bit of it: the few minutes of attention and applause. She gave the audience a confident smile. Satisfied with her performance, Star bowed, and the audience cheered. Her parents were beaming with pride, and this made Star feel even better than before. She exited the stage as the applause continued.