Someone was already speaking on the microphone behind the curtains.

Maxine got nervous. She felt her heart pounded harder. She looked around.

There were different types of student groups, and five sets of sofas. Each group occupied a sofa. At the far end corner, the group of students that was wearing green uniforms was from JaBe twin’s School of Arts. Next to them was wearing brown uniforms, which was Mount Valley Private School. The next after that was wearing blue uniforms, School of Technology for Musicians. And the last before them was wearing white uniforms (like the two outside), which made them from Vlad Institute.

“I thought he was gonna eat you, Brie,” said Karl, relaxing on the last vacant sofa.

“Really? I thought he was gonna kiss Brian,” laughed Peter. “But what really alerted me was Todd. Did you see the look on his face?”

“Yes! It was practically the scariest thing I’ve ever seen besides the demon from Jeepers Creepers.” Karl shuddered in memory.

“He was cool, though.”

Karl smiled.

“Yup, he was definitely cool,” he agreed.

“You do know that you’re talking about me as if I wasn’t here?” said Todd in his usual bored voice, with a raised eyebrow.

Karl and Peter looked at Todd. They flashed him sheepish smiles.

“I’ve gotten used to it,” chuckled Karl.

“Me, too,” grinned Peter.

“Whatever,” sighed Todd.

Maxine couldn't help but smile. Their playfulness made her forget that she was supposed to be nervous.

“Incoming,” scoffed Brian suddenly. He quickly stood up and widely smiled at something.

Todd, Maxine, Peter, and Karl turned to where he was facing and they realized that Headmaster Sky was walking towards them with a huge, friendly smile stretched across his face. They immediately imitated Brian and waited for Headmaster Sky.

“Ah! The Student Body President of Sky, Brian Wright,” boomed Headmaster Sky's cheerful voice, when he was close enough to shake Brian’s hand. “How are you?”

“Ecstatic, sir,” answered Brian politely, smiling.

“Good, good,” nodded Headmaster Sky. He turned to look at Todd and grinned broadly. “Mr. Samuels, I'm glad you're here. There’s a favor I’d like to ask, if I may.”

“Of course, Headmaster.”

They waited.

“Astound us all!” exclaimed Headmaster Sky dramatically.

Maxine, Brian, and Karl grinned; Peter snorted, stopping himself from laughing at the headmaster; and Todd gave a little smile. The Headmaster was always overly enthusiastic.

“Mr. Andrews,” mentioned Headmaster Sky, making Karl snap his head up to the Headmaster, “I see that you are not depressed about the fact that Ms. Ferguson is replacing you as the singer of the band.”

The nervous feeling that Maxine thought had left her returned with its full might. She didn't like people expecting a lot from her, but more than that, she didn't like it when people doubted her. It made her feel insecure about herself.

Karl grinned. “There’s nothing to be depressed about, sir. Max can sing way better than me. And we trust her.”

“Trust. Yes, of course,” mumbled Headmaster Sky, nodding approvingly. His eyes then wandered to Peter. “Mr. Sullivan . . .”

“Yes, sir?” asked Peter confidently.

Headmaster Sky smiled broadly.

“Have fun.”

Peter grinned broadly in turn.

“With pleasure, sir.”

“Ms. Ferguson — Ah, the lovely Ms. Ferguson,” breathed out Headmaster Sky.

Maxine gulped.

“La Rochefoucauld once said, ‘There is a kind of greatness which does not depend upon fortune; it is a certain manner that distinguishes us, and which seems to destine us for great things; it is the value we insensibly set upon ourselves; it is by this quality, that we gain the deference of other men, and it is this which commonly raises us more above them, than birth, rank, or even merit.’”

Maxine took a moment to decipher what the Headmaster said. But she got what he was trying to say in no time.

“You mean confidence, sir?” she guessed.

“Exactly, my dear, exactly,” beamed Headmaster Sky. He chuckled and smiled at Todd and Brian. “Mr. Samuels and Mr. Wright, I’d like to have a word.”

Todd, Brian, Peter, Karl exchanged glances.

Maxine stared at the maroon curtains that divided them from the audience. She absentmindedly walked toward the curtains and peeked through it. She gasped at the sight.

The auditorium was packed! There were hundreds of people present. It surprised her because she didn't hear much noise from them. It was probably because of the man speaking at the center stage.

Maxine didn't understand what he was saying, though. All she could think of at the moment was that she was about to sing in front of all those people. Her heart accelerated all of a sudden. She returned her eyes in the back stage, breathing deeply. She looked down and squeezed her eyes shut. She felt sick. Her head was spinning.

“Are you all right, miss?”

“I think so,” replied Maxine quietly, not bothering to look at the person who asked her.

“Here, drink some water,” offered the male voice.

Maxine half-opened her eyes and took the glass of water. She drank it slowly. The water was cold so it was refreshing. It was like the sickening feeling was being washed away somehow. She felt a lot better than before. She took a deep breath and gave the glass back to the guy who offered it. She straightened up and looked at him.

He was very good-looking.

He had bronze hair and green eyes. He was as tall as Todd. Only, he was wearing a white uniform. Which clearly meant that he was a Vlad student.

Strangely, he looked concerned.

“How are you feeling?” he asked.

“I’m fine now. Thanks,” smiled Maxine gratefully.

The guy grinned back. Cute dimples appeared on both sides of his cheeks that incredibly go with his sweet smile.

“You’re welcome,” he said. “Will this be your first time to perform?”

“In front of hundreds of people? Yes,” she admitted, glancing at the curtain. She looked suspiciously at him. “I’m guessing you’re used to it.”

He chuckled. “I’ve been doing it for a couple of years now.”

“How did you do on your first time?”

“I passed out.”

Maxine’s eyes widened, causing the guy to laugh.

“I’m kidding.”

Maxine rolled her eyes.

“What’s your name?”

“Maxine.”

“Nice to meet you, Maxine,” he said, bowing his head a little. “I’m Dominique.”

Maxine blinked. She heard of that name several times already. There was no way that she would forget that name. After all, the boys from the gang had mentioned his name with such loathe. This must be, without a doubt, Dominique Harris.

But then again, there were a lot of guys named Dominique in the world. So there was only one way to find out if he was the Dominique that the gang kept talking about.

“Dominique? You mean, Dominique Harris?” she asked carefully.

The person looked at her curiously.

“Yes. I’m Dominique Harris.”

_____________

There was no interet connection last Sunday, so I wasn't able to update. Sorry! I'm on vacation and the wifi here at the house we're staying at for Christmas is sooo slow. Good news is, I still get to update! :D It Christmas' Eve here, so I tried my hardest to update for y'all. So I'm sorry if it's short.