Not Everyone is Same I am the girl who loves music. But what happened in my life was unexpected. I wanted my dream of becoming singer come true but something unusual happened… Every person have their own personality. This world is made up of different colors, different flavors. So, just betrayal of one person doesn’t mean that any other person is also like that person. This is my story in which I was only 14 years old. I was that type of person that was not very social and I really got nervous in front of cameras. This was my nature so I could not change it. My story started when I got into my high school. That was a great school. It contained all those things that a good school should have. I expect a very fine and good first day of the school. But I saw everything instead of my expectations for a fine day. I didn’t expect to run into the bully of the school, Zoe, on my very first day. Zoe was an arrogant girl. She had done plastic surgeries to even got pretty but got failed. Her father was a successful business man who could do anything for her only daughter. That love spoiled her. She felt very proud of the money her father earns. At that time, I used to wear cat eyeglasses and liked to tie up my hair. I was an intelligent girl who also was interested in music and singing. I was not good at judging people on my first meeting with them. Unfortunately, Zoe and I were in the same class. The class hadn’t started yet. I was just sitting alone. When Zoe and her friends came to me, they were only four, and Zoe said by pointing at me, “Look! We have got a nerd in our class this year!” I said nothing to them as I didn’t want to spoil my first day. They made more fun of me and left me alone as our teacher stepped into the class. I sighed in relief. But that was not the end. They were having fun to tease me. They did the same at recess. They expected from me to say anything so that they could taught me a good lesson. “You will pay for ignoring us” I found myself in that condition that I would die no matter what I would do. That was not fair. Everyone had left the school only I was left in the classroom. I think I was there because I could not find my pouch. I was searching for it. But what I saw, Zoe was holding my black pouch. She was alone at that time. She was smirking. It was very clear by looking at her smirk that she was thinking, ‘how dumb she is, she didn’t even know that I picked her pouch’ . I went closer to her and said nervously, “Give m-me my pouch.” “Why, dummy! Ok! Let’s have a talk in private.” “P-private?” “Yeah!” She put my pouch on the nearby desk and held my hand and started walking through corridors. I was wishing that wherever she was taking me, couldn’t be able to take me. She was holding my wrist so tightly that in between our way, it started to hurt. She nearly pushed me in the library. I adjusted my eyeglasses and looked around. There was no one around. There was a small room at the very end of the library where it was written TEACHER’S ONLY. That was giving me bad vibes. She locked the door of the library. Then, she turned around and gave me an evil look. She said while smiling, “ You’re going to do all my and my friend’s work. You are going to be so useful for us. It will be easy for you, right?” “Why should I do all your work? Can’t you d-do it by yourself?” I don’t know but I said that to her. She got furious. She yelled, “What did you say? Do you have a death wish? If I said it once then you should do it.” “I-I am not your slave. Do it by yourself.” That was the most courageous thing I had ever said. Zoe was getting so red because maybe none of her targets had rejected her like that. She looked at me like she was going to eat me raw. That death stare was no good for me. She raised her hand in sky to slap me. I closed my eyes so tightly. ‘What is happening?’ I thought because I couldn’t feel a slap. Beyond my amazement, Zoe’s hand was blocked by another hand. The hand was of a girl. ‘Wait a minute, I had seen that girl before in my class room.’ The room behind the library was opened. “Why are you here?” Zoe asked the girl. She lowered her hand with the girl’s hand. “I was trying to study. But your voice kept interrupting me.” “That’s not my problem. Go and study somewhere else, you ugly face!” That girl rolled her eyes and said, “Do you know you should be happy that mirrors can’t laugh or otherwise they will die from laughter after looking at you and I don’t know how your parents control their laughter.” “What did you say?”, Zoe said this while getting more angry. “How dare you to insult me!!??” “I am not insulting you. I am describing you.” Giving her an expression that she pitied her. Zoe could not control her temper. She held that girl by her collar and pushed her against the wall. I gasped. That was no good, they both started fighting. I just stood over there with my hands on my mouth. They both were pushing each other so furiously. Zoe’s hair was held by that girl and she gave her a great push on the floor. She was then above Zoe. She held her by her neck by putting her on the floor. Zoe was holding her hand so she could get free from her grasp. But that was no use. She was getting panicked. That girl slowly moved towards Zoe’s ear and whispered something. I couldn’t understand what she said to her. After she whispered, Zoe calmed down and she quietly laid on the floor. That girl left Zoe on the floor. Held my hand. Unlocked the door. Take me outside and left me on the doorsteps of library. I couldn’t get a chance to say her thanks. Everything happened so quickly. I decided that I would thank her the following day. Next day, I met her in my classroom. She was studying. I went to her. I was a bit nervous but I managed to gave her a letter in which I thanked her. She didn’t notice the card but she saw me putting something under her book, which was at the corner of her table. At recess, when I was going to leave the class, she came to me. She was holding my letter and said, “I have read your letter right now. You don’t have to thank me.” “No. You helped me. Thank you!” “Don’t mention it.” “Oh! By the way what’s your name?” “Olivia. What’s yours?” Olivia had dark brown eyes with black straight hair and had freckles on her face. Olivia was a social girl. She was not good in studies but she tried to study in order to pass her exams. She was interested in singing like me. She had a very sweet voice. “It’s Gary. Come with me. Let’s have some lunch together.” While we both were walking, there was complete silence among us. I broke the silence when I asked, “So, Olivia. Can I ask you one thing?” “Yeah sure!” “While you and Zoe were fighting, what did you say to her that she stopped fighting you?” She sighs. “You know, I know one of her secrets and when I told her about that, she quitted. Oh please! Stop talking about past! Tell me about yourself that… ummm… how many family members you have.” “It’s only my father. He supports me a lot. I am the only daughter of my father. How many siblings are you?” “My parents have me and my younger brother. He is in second grade.” “Lucky!” This conversation continued the whole recess period. My friendship with my first friend was growing day by day. The entire month had gone and it felt like only some days. I always wished that Olivia would be my bench partner. Today was the day when our seat partners would be decided by our teacher. I was so close. Olivia was sitting right next to me and we had to sit like this the next entire month. I was sitting with a girl who got transferred a week later. “This is so boring I want to sit with you, Olivia. But instead I am sitting alone.” “Don’t worry. One day, you will also find your partner.” “I hope so. But he can’t be kind like you.” “I know.” This conversation was not long ago that a new boy entered our class, Lucas. Lucas was a handsome boy. He had straight hair of medium size. He had sparkly light brown eyes. Girls were whispering and smiling that how handsome he was. The only seat empty, was the seat next to me. After he gave his introduction, he sat with me. He was a sweet guy with a sweet smile. We were all free as we got one period free. I was talking to Olivia when I suddenly took a glance towards Lucas. He was drawing on his scrapbook. ‘Wow! This is a masterpiece.’ I told about it to Olivia. She got stunned. Lucas was doing animated drawing in which he drew a girl who was looking so beautiful. Olivia started the conversation. “Lucas, you like drawing?” “Yeah! I just do it for fun.” ‘For fun!? I can never make that much good drawing in my serious mode.’ I thought. “It is so beautiful!” I complemented his drawing. Lucas told us that he was only good at drawing and he wanted to earn a fortune from it as he was an average in studies. Our first project of the year was announced and we had to do it in pairs. Just because of this, I got to talk more to Lucas. We even visited each other for completing project. From this, our friendship grew so much that we could tell anything to each other without hesitation. I passed my whole one year with my only two friends. They were so funny and never missed any opportunity to make me laugh. They were just like my siblings. I had never thought that I would be ever able to be that much comfortable with anyone. I noticed some things about them after one year as I was slow observer. First, I was the only bridge between Lucas and Olivia. That is, they would not talked to each other much unless I would not be there between them. Second, Olivia was the girl who wanted attention in a group. In other words, she was attention seeker. We all got so used to visit each other. They both had visited me. My father always went early for work and came late from his office. So, they both had come to give me company, that day. We had a lot of fun. “Hey! Let’s play Truth and Dare.” Olivia suggested. “That will be good. We can ask any questions that we always wanted to ask from another person.” I said it by getting excited for asking questions. I looked at Lucas. “Look at Lucas face! It’s like he will not be going to like this game.” We burst into laughter. “Why are you sitting like you are afraid? Be a man, Lucas!” “I am a man, okay? And we will get to know afterwards who is a chicken.” “Okay! I am so confident!” The game had started. We were having fun. No one among us was taking dare as none of us wanted to do any work. “Gary!” “I am courageous. I will take dare.” “Oh! Good! Let me give you dare. Sing a song. I have never heard you singing.” Lucas gave me dare. That was a new thing for me. I had never sung in front of anyone instead of my father. They both looked at me with excitement in their eyes. I started singing while my eyes were shut closed. I was not able to saw there reaction at first. Then, I started singing in flow. My song ended. It was great according to me. But, I was so curious about their reactions. I opened my eyes and got surprised when I saw them surprised too. “So, how was it?” There was silence in the room for a moment. I didn’t know why they were acting like that. “It was AMAZING!” They both gave me compliment. “Really?” “Yeah!” said Olivia. “You should not waste your talent like this. You should tell the world that one talented singer is in this part of world.” suggested by Lucas. “Thanks but I am not interested in that. I got it from my mother. Dad told me she had a great voice, too.” “Come on! Why not? I have heard our school is going to have singing contest next month called ‘Sing in modern era'. In order to win that, we have to make a video of you singing. That will change your future as it is a very big opportunity. It is a national contest. There are some selected schools who can forward their winners in national contest.” “Really! But I can’t do that I am little nervous in front of cameras.” “It’s okay. You should just act we can edit your voice with your video.” “I am not good in acting.” “That sucks!” Olivia said that after the whole conversation. “Oh! I have got an idea! What if we use Lucas’s drawing instead of you singing in the video.” “What!?” We both were surprised after listening her idea. “Yeah! You can’t sing and act in front of cameras. So what, if we use Lucas’s drawing in the video. But, I am not sure if it is allowed.” “B-But my drawing is not that much good. In addition, I don’t know if they will allow that. I will try to gain information on that.” After a week, I too heard from students participating in that contest. But, Lucas was still not sure if he could draw and use it in video. I was wishing that it would be allow so I could not be in front of cameras. After some days, Lucas came to us. He was so excited that he wanted to tell us something. “Gary! Olivia! Guess what!? It is allowed to use animation in your video.” “Amazing!! So great!!!” I was so excited after listening that. “This is the first good thing you have told us, Lucas.” Olivia said to Lucas. “Thank you! They allowed it just because they will upload on a website which is specially made for this contest. The people will listen to contestant's singing. They have nothing to do with their faces and they will vote for the singer they like the most.” “Till when we have to upload?” “Deadline? Today is 17 November. The contest will start on 10 December and the deadline is 10 February.” “And results?” I asked. “That is not confirmed. Wait a minute, can any one of you play any instrument?” “No!” Olivia said. “I will edit the video. I am good in that.” “What about you, Gary?” “Well, I can play guitar.” “I can play piano. I think that would be enough because we also have to make music by ourselves plus we have to write song, too.” “Ahhhh! There’s a lot of work to do.” “What about we meet at my home and at least start writing the song lyrics.” “Deal!” We started working on our mission. We really had a lot to do but in very less time. We also had to study while making a song. In a month, on a date of December, we had done writing the lyrics. That was pretty good. We were not professionals and we also had to study, too. That was a great success for us. That gave us some motivation. While we were writing the song, Lucas tried to make drawing. He tried to draw three of us. That was great. It’s like he just copied us in animated form. He almost had done his half work in just a month. Now, it was time to compose the song. It took a lot of time to compose the song according to our lyrics which was a rock song with theme of friendship. I think, the day when we finished our composition, it was the end days of January. It took that much time because we were the only two who knew how to play the instruments. Meanwhile, Olivia assembled the drawings of Lucas and converted it in digital art. I didn’t know much about how she did it. But, I knew she took pictures of drawings and traced it on her phone. Then, she transferred those digital arts to her computer. After the composition was done, we watched the edit of Olivia that she had done on Lucas’s drawing. “Wow! It is looking so good. I didn’t know that you can also do these types of things. You should probably open your own editing channel.” I complemented her. Then, the main part was left. SINGING. I was so nervous. I had never done this kind of thing ever. “Are you nervous?” Lucas asked me before I singed in a studio which was bought by Olivia’s father for one day. Olivia’s father was rich and he was happy that her daughter was experiencing new things. “Yeah!” “Come on! Be brave! We all are here with you. I know you will be great out there. I believe in you and don’t forget I will always be on your side, sistie.” “Sistie!?” I was smiling from his heart-warming words. “Yeah! Sistie! You are my sister. You know what, I always want to have a cute sister and I see you like that.” I laughed from what he said. “You are also like my brother who cares a lot about me.” “Yes! I cares a lot about you and I want you to win this contest.” This conversation really made me strong. It was like energy drink from which I got energy to sing. Because of this conversation, my mood got so better and I sang very well. But, I didn’t got any courage to ask anyone how it goes. Lucas ad Olivia just gave me thumbs up. That was enough for me to get an idea that my singing was good. Now, it was time to register our song in the contest. We had made our song before a week from deadline. According to us, everything was good. There was no mistake. What we had to do after listing our song was to wait for results. Olivia everyday came and told us that how many votes we got. Then, on a day of April, it was announced that the contest’s result would be announced soon. “Hey! You know what that the results of contest will announced on 14 May and whoever will win the contest will sing on the stage of their respective school. A video will be made and it will be forwarded to the national contest.” Lucas gave us these information. “Really? That means the winner will represent it’s school.” Olivia said. “Mmm-hmmm!” I said. “And on 14 May, its Gary’s birthday. Because of this, that will be special day for Gary.” I was shocked that Lucas remembered it because he was bad at remembering dates. “Oh yeah! It’s her birthday! That will be so great! What a coincidence!” There was one week left till my birthday. I was so thrilled. Lucas was distancing from Olivia. “Gary! Have you noticed something about Olivia?” “Notice what?” “Noticed that Olivia have been acting really weird.” “No. I don’t think so! She is acting normal with me. There is a misunderstanding.” “But I observed that before whenever she told us about your votes, she got really excited. But, have you seen her today? Her expressions were like she is no more happy about it, as she doesn’t care about your contest now.” I listened to him silently. But, didn’t react much because I hadn’t observed any changes in Olivia. That week had also passed. That day had come. ‘Today is the day.’ ‘Today is the day.’ It was my birthday, too. I was so thrilled. I couldn’t even think about anything instead of the results. Before two weeks of results, the website had not allowed votes to be seen publicaly. This is why we didn’t know the results. All the contestants had to come on backstage. We were five contestants. The whole school would be our audience and our parents joined the audience too. As the name of winner will be announced, the winner will went to the stage and sang the song he posted. The worst thing, there would be cameras, too. But I couldn’t lose my chance because of my fear. My father had bought me so beautiful dress. It was a white dress and had pearls on neck and on the end of the arms. It had light blue net from waist to the ground. I was admiring the dress when I wore it. I looked into the mirror. It was looking like a princess dress. I did my makeup. I gave myself soft look with pink lipstick. I curled my black hair and let them be open. I wore some accessories like earrings, a ring and a cute, white bow at one side. I wore short length, white color heels. I took my glasses off and used eye contacts instead of my glasses. And it was done. I know if there would be my father with me, he would say that I was looking like a princess. But, he went auditorium before me. He wanted to see me direct on stage with this beautiful dress. He believed that I would win and I knew he would still support me if I didn’t even win. I had already asked Olivia about timings. It was sharp 10 o’clock. ‘Wait a minute, where is my phone?’ I didn’t know but I couldn’t find my mobile phone. ‘Oh! Never mind! I could find it anytime. But, now I am running late. I have to be quick!’ I didn’t care much about it and walked to school. I went outside from my house at 9:18. It was early but, it was late for me. It was 9:30 when I reached school. I came half an hour early. I couldn’t believe that I came so early but I couldn’t see anyone. I could hear some noises from hall of the school. These were giving me so bad vibes. I ran towards the auditorium. My heart was beating so fast that I thought for a moment that it could stop beating. ‘This can’t be true, right? No! No! This can’t be! This can’t be!’ I was repeating those words to myself to calm myself down. Instead of running towards the backstage, I ran towards the main gate of auditorium because it was nearer to me than backstage. I just wanted to know that what I was thinking would not be true. Our school’s hall had the way in between the sets of chairs. Some chairs were at right side and some were at left. In between they had a not very wide way to walk towards the hall. You could walk straight from hall’s gate to the stage. I stopped in front of the closed door. I was breathing so heavily because of all the running. I could hear my heart beating so fast. I put my both hands on the both knobs of the door. And hung it open! I heard something familiar. I ran towards the stage happily. There were cameras which were capturing stage from almost everywhere. I saw the whole school over there. I was not that much late. I was running to get on the stage. But stopped right next to front seats due to shock. My heart stopped beating with pain. I got stunned and it felt like my whole body got numbed. ‘No! No! This is not true! This is just my dream! How could this be true?’ I wanted to scream. But, my lips were not supporting me. What I could do is to scream in my head. To yell inside my head because it was all I can do. ‘Noooooo!’ One week ago: Olivia was acting quite different that I didn’t noticed. Whenever we talked that maybe I would win, she always said that I was lucky. Everyone would give attention to me. She also said that she could also sing and would be waiting for this opportunity. On the day of result: Olivia and Lucas came to my home. They came to cheer me up and to tell me that everything would be alright. Lucas left before Olivia because he was so excited. There I asked Olivia about timings. I didn’t know when she left because I was taking bath to get fresh before results. The most unexpected thing she took my phone with her. I didn’t know that she had taken it and why she had done all these things. She did it so smoothly that I didn’t noticed it. When I hung the doors of hall open, I was so shocked. First, the timings were not 10 o’clock. When I opened the doors, it was 9:35. Everyone was sitting and waiting for the winner’s name to be announced. Then, I realized that the program started at 9:30 and now it was time to announce the winner. Second thing that made me shock was that I heard my name. Everyone started to clap. I got so happy. Oh! My heartbeat- it skipped some beats. It was going to burst with so many feelings at the same time. I was confused that why Olivia gave me wrong timings. I was angry, too, on her. And then, this news! This made me so happy. I started running towards the stage so I could get up on it by stairs and could start my performance. While running, I saw my father between the audience. He would not expecting that I will come from the gates of the hall. I was some steps away from stage. But, I stopped beside the people sitting in front row in which also my father and Lucas were sitting. What I saw really made my whole body numb. It was so shocking and surprising. A tear fell down from my eye to cheek. I was so shocked that I could not even talk or hear anything. It’s like my whole world got silent. I was just thinking, ‘Why it was me? Why?’ I heard Lucas saying, “Olivia! Olivia, what are you doing!?” Yes! That was Olivia which ruined my everything. She came from backstage and started singing. She was singing beautifully. But, at that time, that voice was like monster to me that consumed everything I had built throughout my life. I didn’t have courage to do anything. I was just listening to her song while staying still. “I am not Gary. It’s Olivia and I think I deserve all this, not Gary. I made this song, not her. She was trying to betray me by taking all my credits. Thank you so much for listening and giving that much love to my song.” She said that after she finished singing. The whole audience liked how she sang on stage. They thought that I was wrong and she was right. They cheered up for her as they were now thinking that she is the winner of this contest. My father came near to me to give me comfort as I was not able to do anything. But, before that, I went outside the hall and went to the makeup room. Lucas followed me after telling my father that he would handle me. I saw Olivia being dressed in light pink dress in the makeup room. She was talking to other contestants. She saw me and told others to leave us alone. I was staring at Olivia. I walked towards her. I was so close to her that she had to lean a little bit backwards. “Why did you do that? Why?” I asked that while clenching my teeth. I heard footsteps of someone. It was Lucas in front of the door of the room. “Great! You both are here now. It would be easy to tell the answer of your question, Gary.” Olivia said and close the door behind the Lucas. Lucas came behind me and asked if I was fine. I didn’t response to his question. She again come in front of me. “I repeat, why did you do that? Why? Give me a solid reason!” “You want to know the reason, right? Do you have that much courage to listen all my feelings? I nodded. Then she started shouting. “Then listen. I hate you. I hate you both. You both never think of me as your friend. I always felt left out whenever I was with you. That sucks! That really sucks!! Lucas, you always support Gary. You never thought that you have one more friend. And Gary, let’s not talk about you. You are worst than him! Didn’t you heard my singing out there? I was the best! But, you were taking all this. You were taking all my happiness. But, you both didn’t drop dead care about me. I felt alone. You both spent time with each other. You never added me in anything. You were so mean. You just used me for your video editing. Otherwise, you will not even talk to me. That was my song. I wrote that song. I did that all! To be honest, I think you deserve that!” She took out all what she was hiding in her heart. Lucas came in front of me. “Only you? How could you think like that?” “I can’t believe you contained that much hate about us in your heart.” I said that in a low voice. “Now, I think, you know that how mean you are?” She shouted so loud that people outside could listen her. I was not able to took in so much shocks. But, Lucas was losing his patience. “We are mean!? Why didn’t you say that you only think about yourself? We never left you? That was only what you think. Otherwise, it was not like that. You are selfish! You don’t want anyone to like anybody more than you! You want to be famous! Selfish!” Olivia didn’t think of anything and without worrying about anything, she slapped Lucas. Tear ran down from her face. Lucas was not even moving his face to look back at her. “Why can’t you understand, dumb? She was using you. She used us both. She just wanted to be famous.” “What is wrong with you, Olivia? It’s all your overthinking. It’s nothing like that.” I said. I put myself in front of Lucas. “No, it’s not my overthinking. What I said is all true. Lucas made a mistake, too. He listened to you! He gave importance to you even you were wrong and I was right. He should be on my side not yours. You break us apart. That was all your fault. The only reason of all this mess is YOU!!” She pushed me and walked outside. I was on the ground. I started behaving like Lucas. He didn’t move an inch after he got slapped. “How was it?” Olivia asked her parents after she had a fight with us. “That was absolutely amazing, honey. Were you crying before? Did you talk with your friends?” “Don’t call them my friends, Mom. They are enemies to me.” “I told you, dear that they are not your true friends.” “Yes! You were right, Dad. Sorry! I argue a lot with you on this topic.” Olivia’s dad told her that she should not hang out with her friends as Zoe insisted him that Gary and Lucas were mean. At first, Olivia argue about it. This conversation held week before the results. “Dad, that’s not it. Zoe told you wrong. She, in fact, bully Gary. It can’t be true.” “It is true, dear. She is using you and Lucas is supporting her. Okay! When she told you that she can’t sing in front of cameras, did she offer you that you could sing instead of her? Did she said that you are more confident than her. So why didn’t you sing. She said nothing like that, dear.” “But, dad, how could she? I saved her from Zoe. You are just listening to that clever girl.” “No, Gary is that clever girl who is using you, pretending like she’s innocent. Zoe told me that she was giving her a lesson when you interrupt her.” “No! Zoe was actually bullying Gary! Why can’t you understand?” “Okay! What did you listen that you are so confident that Zoe was bullying her?” “I just listen Zoe’s voice. I couldn’t understand what she was talking. But, she tried to beat her.” “This is it! You didn’t listen to the main thing. You only saw the action.” “But, d-dad…” Today, she was glad that she listened to her father. “So, dear, don’t you think that you should apologize Zoe and be her friend?” “You’re right, dad. Love you both and see ya!” She ran straight towards the Zoe who was talking to her friends in our classroom. “Hey Zoe! Can we talk alone?” “Yeah sure thing! Can you all leave us alone?” They all left them. “So, what is it?” “Hey look! I’m sorry! I should not do that. And I’m sorry for using the rumor of your father about being corrupt. My father told me that it was nothing like that. So, will you forgive me?” “After all that insult?” “Come on! I know I was wrong and now I am apologizing.” “I forgive you, okay?” “Really! That was really nice of you. Can you do me two favors?” Olivia could not understand that instead of Gary, Zoe was using her. She wanted to be her friend because Olivia knew about her father’s corruption. “Two?” “Yeah! One, can I be you friend? And second, I want you to help me in something related to Gary.” “Deal!” “But, you didn’t listen what I want you to do.” “It’s okay. You can tell me later.” It’s been a month and I was not going to school. I just like to be alone when my father went for work. On one Sunday, I was as usual doing nothing and my father was preparing for breakfast. *Knock knock* “I will get it.” I opened the door and saw Lucas standing. “Hey! You doing well?” “Why you come everyday? You know, that I don’t want to see you. Then, why all this drama?” “I want you to come school.” “I hate it. I can’t trust anyone anymore. That was my biggest mistake to make friends. It will be better if you don’t come to my house and force me to go school.” “Gary, but it’s not Lucas mista-” “It’s okay, uncle. If you don’t want me to come at your house then come to school.” He left after saying that. My father also don’t like how I was trying to avoid going school. He insisted me that I should study and made my mind busy by doing some stuffs. I didn’t want to go. But, thinking of my father, made me to act normal. After coming to school, I went straight to my classroom without saying anything to anyone. I saw Olivia talking with Zoe and her friends. I ignored her and sat on my bench. I just put my head down and tried to get some sleep as I woke up that much early after a long time. Lucas came in and felt happy after seeing me. He came to me and said, “Finally, you made your mind.” I didn’t even look at him but he was not leaving me alone. He was just standing there. Who would tell him that I got trust issues, now. It's been a fine day until Olivia ignored me. She throw dirty water on me while I was in restroom. She started backbiting about me with her new friends. She even spoiled my lunch. My day was not going well anymore. At off time, they all hid my bag and made me find it in the whole school. That was no good. “Olivia! What is wrong with you!? What are you doing?” I asked that when I gave up to find my bag. “What? It’s really fun.” “Fun?” I said by raising my loudness. “Do you think bullying someone is fun? You were the one who saved me from these things. But, now you are the one who is doing all these things.” They laughed at me that how miserable I was at that time. They left me without telling me where is my bag. “Zoe! Thank you for doing those both favors.” Olivia thanked Zoe afterwards. “Your welcome! The second favor, bullying Gary, was so unexpecting. I never thought that you would ever asked me that thing.” That bullying continued for many weeks. Even once, they locked me in restroom. I stayed there whole day. I lost my hopes that someone will ever find me. Lucas escaped me from there as he understood all the tradegy happening to me. I had never told it to anyone not even to my father or Lucas. This is why he got surprised, too. He walked me to my home. I was getting depressed due to all this bullying. When I went school next day, I knew Lucas would fight a lot with Olivia for bullying me. But, that was not happening. Instead, everyone were talking how bad and cheater Olivia was. I could not understand what was happening. I went in my classroom and saw Olivia alone. Now, Zoe and her friends were not even looking at her. I quietly sat on my desk and started scrolling my phone. My dad bought me a new phone because that previous one was taken by Olivia and she never returned me. ‘What? What is this?’ I found something unusual while scrolling my phone. At the very moment, Lucas entered in classroom. He came straight to me. “Do you know what happened with Olivia? She dug her grave by her own hands. The whole school is talking about her.” He took a pause. He put his bag on his bench and started talking again. “How is this possible that our song was plagiarize?” I stood up the moment Lucas said that. I started to walk outside the classroom. It was a great shock for me that our song was copied from any other song. I sat on a bench in open area. Lucas got over there by following me. “Hey! Gary!” He exclaimed with sorrow. “I understand how you feel. But, it has nothing to do with you, now.” “We made that song. This is unbelievable! She had taken my place. If she had never done that, I would have ruined right now.” “Exactly, Gary! That was your fate. That song was not for you. You got lucky. The fate has given you another chance to do it again.” “To do it again?” “Yeah! That are holding the competition again as there is no winner, now and I want you to do it again and win it again.” “Wait a minute! No! I am not doing again. What if the new song will also be plagiarize.” “Gary, it happened unintentionally. In other words, it was an accident” Lucas looked down after saying that. He sat down in front of me and held my hands gently. “Okay! Give it a thought! When that song was with your name, nobody even noticed that the music of the song is already in anybody else’s song. You won the contest, too. But, Olivia came in between and pretend that she made that song. Besides, Olivia is getting what she did and you have given an another opportunity.” “But, what if history repeats itself!” “Are you saying what if I betrayed you like Olivia?” He gave a sigh and then continue. “Remember, when I told you that I would always be your side? Trust me. I will never break my promise. This is the last time. Give it a try!” “Last time! I am believing you, Lucas.” He gave me a big, bright smile. “Yeah! Last time.” Now, our journey again started without Olivia. We really worked hard. The most difficult part, the job of Olivia, editing. I knew nothing about it. Lucas knew some things as he watched Olivia doing it. After a lot of work, we made a new, fresh song again. That was great. We did the same things as we did in our previous one. But, composing a new music, writing the new lyrics and to sing it was great deal of work. That turned out great. This time, at beginning of song, the theme was sad. But, later on, it started giving happy vibes. I thought, it was on my life that how sad it became first because of Olivia and then Lucas filled my life with happiness. We registered our song in contest. I was wishing that everything that happened in pasr will not repeat. Our results were now gonna announced in November. It was same like last time. The winner will be announced and he will sing his song on stage in front of many cameras and will give his end speech. The timings were also same, 9:30. It was all same like past. It was the day of result’s announcement. Oh! I was so nervous. My heart was beating so loud that I could hear it in my ears. I wore the same dress. My father supported me a lot. He comforted me all the time that this time, it all would be okay. He was also happy that I gave it another chance. My father left me at backstage and joined the audience. Lucas was sitting in audience, too. He believed in me and was so excited for results. I took the long breath and I was comforting myself. I pretend to be confident. But, in inside, I was very nervous. It’s the time. The host of show had started announcing the first three winners. My name was nowhere in second and third position. I was losing hope that I would ever win. I was looking down, praying for myself and the host announced the winner of contest. ‘What?’ “Welcome, Miss Gary on the stage!” ‘Was that my name? Yes! Yes! That was really my name!’ It was like my life really had changed. I took steps towards the stage. I could not believe that! I was so happy! Everyone welcomed me by clapping. The host gave me the mic, so I could sing the song. I saw Olivia standing right at the place where I was standing when she came on the stage. Olivia was looking so sad. It felt like she was coming to the stage but stopped right away. I was not feeling nervous in front of cameras anymore. All those happiness took my nervousness away. I sang the song which was made by me and Lucas. Lucas and my father were so happy by looking at me on stage. I was singing while shutting my eyes. I opened my eyes as I finished the song. Now, it was time to give my end speech. Everyone was looking forward to it. I started my speech by introducing myself. “Umm… My name is Gary. I just want to say Thanks to everyone. Thank you to those who supported me at my hard times. My father…” I saw my father and then looked at Lucas. “And my friend Lucas who helped me made my song video.” Then I looked at Olivia who was still standing with her mouth open. “I also want to thank you who gave me chance to stand over here. AND THANK YOU TO THE PEOPLE WHO GAVE SO MUCH LOVE TO THE SONG! I am so grateful.” I returned the mic and walked back to backstage. Everyone congrats me and told me that I was great out there. My father and Lucas met me later in front of the hall. “My daughter, I am so proud of you. You are the best daughter ever.” My father hugged me firmly. He was so happy. He released me from hug and kissed me on forehead. “No, dad. You are the best! You supported me a lot even when I was not expecting to win. I love you so much.” I then turned to Lucas. “Hey, thanks, Lucas. You are not just my friend, you are also like my big brother. I hope, we will always be friends like this.” “I told you I am not like Olivia. I am different. I want to be your friend forever” We both chuckled. “Best friends forever?” “Yeah! Best friends forever!” We promised each other to be friends forever. After some time, all the people came out of the hall. The show had ended. As everyone came out, I saw Olivia still standing at the same place. I walked towards her. Her back was facing me. “You’re still here?” “This is all your fault.” As she said that, Lucas came in. He stood beside me. “Do you still think that this is my fault? Be in your senses, Olivia! Well, by your position, it’s like you were coming to the stage to ruin everything again.” “Yes! I was just some steps away to ruin you life again.” “Are you serious, Olivia? Last time, you said that that song was yours because you took part in that song. But, this time, you didn’t do anything. So, why you are again here?” Lucas said that after losing his patience. Olivia turned towards us. “Well, because you both never gave me importance. I was always the third wheel between you both. I want to take revenge from you.” “Enough, Olivia! You are wrong! You were never a third wheel between us. This is what you think, otherwise there was nothing like that. In addition, this is not the reason, you are doing all these things. You are using it as an excuse. The main reason is you are attention seeker. You just want attention and for getting popularity you did every wrong thing to us. You are so selfish!” I said this to Olivia because she was not understanding us. She was only thinking about herself. Lucas and I were just going out of the hall. But, I stopped and went back to Olivia. “I still remember what you did to Lucas and I think you really deserve this! ” I raised my hand and slapped Olivia. She was shocked. She looked me after getting slapped. In no time, I slapped her again. I didn’t even give her time to think that what was happening to her. “The one was for slapping Lucas without any reason and the one was for deceiving both of us and took all our credits.” She didn’t see me after getting second slap. I left her alone and went away with Lucas. So many years have passed to that incident. It was like a dream, when we all were so young. I missed how I and Lucas met each other every day. But, that was past. This story was about my life, my past that from where I had started my whole journey. After that incident, I never talked to Olivia and I don’t know what she will be doing right now. Lucas is a great artist. He have made so many masterpieces till now. We still meet each other, sometimes, as we get really busy in our lives. And… for me, I am a singer. I am doing solo work. As Lucas and I promised, we are still best friends.
