High School Popular

Chapter 27

 Behind the Spotlight.    

The lights dimmed again as the emcee returned to the center of the stage, now with cue cards in hand. Everyone quieted down, this was the part that could make or break the whole night.

"For the final round, our Top 5 candidates will be asked a single, randomly drawn question. Each will answer within the time limit."

I could feel my heartbeat in my throat. The air backstage was heavy. Contestants were called one by one.

When they finally said my name, the crowd erupted. I took a deep breath, held my head high, and walked back to the center of the stage where the spotlight felt hotter than before.

Across the stage, I saw Andrea, already done with her question and watching me with that same tight-lipped smile.

But this wasn't about her.

"Ready ka na ba, Bricelle?" tanong ng MC habang iniaabot ang mikropono.

"I was born ready." I smiled.

She drew a card. "Here's your question: If you had the power to change one thing in today's world, what would it be and why?"

Umigting ang katahimikan. Ramdam ko ang pagbilis ng tibok ng puso ko.

Huminga ako nang malalim. Tiningnan ko ang madla. Ang mga mata nilang naghihintay. Pero hindi ako takot.

"If I had the power to change one thing... I would change the way people measure worth."

A soft murmur from the audience. I continued.

"Because for too long, worth has been measured by appearance, wealth, likes, or last name. But what we should be measuring is courage. Kindness. How someone rises after being broken. Some people are born into crowns. Others are built from ashes, and they deserve to shine just as bright."

I paused. The room was dead silent.

Then I smiled gently.

"So if I could change one thing, I'd make sure every girl who's ever been told she wasn't enough... learns to rewrite her own story."

I returned the mic. Tumindig ang balahibo ko sa sarili kong sagot. Walang rehearsed na linya. Totoo lang.

As I walked back, the applause came in slow, almost hesitant, then surged louder. Some stood. I saw Lola wiping her eyes. Quinn placed a proud hand over her chest.

And Froilan?

He mouthed, "That was fire."

After I returned to my spot, my legs were still trembling. Not from fear, but from release. Parang binuhos ko lahat sa sagot ko kanina.

Tahimik pa rin ang paligid. Tension. Anticipation. Ilan sa amin ay halos hindi makatingin sa stage. I, however, couldn't look away.

"Candidate Number 5..."

Nilingon siya ng halos lahat. Siyempre. Kilala siya, in ways I didn't even fully understand. Cold. Aloof. 'Yung tipo ng lalaking hindi mo basta malalapitan.

Pero ngayon? He looked calm. Collected. As always. Pero hindi ko alam kung guni-guni ko lang ba, pero... para bang may bigat sa mga hakbang niya. Iba.

Umakyat siya ng stage. The spotlight hit his face and for a second, akala ko lalabas 'yung usual smirk niya.

But he didn't smile.

"Are you ready, Froilan?" the host asked.

"Let's do this." he replied, casually. The crowd chuckled a little. He always had that effect— aloof but oddly charming.