Aria and Miss Sofia slowly went back to where they had been standing.
As soon as they stepped onto the stage, Aria searched for Mom.
It didn't take long before she found her.
The worried look on her mother's face softened into relief the moment she saw Aria.
Aria took a deep breath.
She turned to the host.
"I'm ready to say something."
The host smiled and handed her the microphone.
Miss Sofia gave her a proud nod.
Aria looked at the audience.
"Good day, everyone."
She took another deep breath before speaking again.
"I just want to say... thank you."
She looked at her teammates and smiled.
"I'm really proud of everyone standing here with me. We all worked so hard for this. We practiced for weeks, helped each other, and never gave up."
She lifted the trophy slightly.
"So this isn't just one person's trophy..."
She smiled even wider.
"It's all of ours!"
The hall erupted into cheers.
I followed Aria's gaze until it landed on Jasmine. The smile that had been on Jasmine's face moments ago had disappeared.
Everyone cheered as the team hugged one another happily.
After taking one final bow, they walked off the stage, and the competition finally came to an end.
---
Backstage, Aria stood with Miss Sofia and the rest of her teammates as they discussed who should keep the trophy.
"I think you should keep it on behalf of all of us and the school," one of the students said. "You were our lead singer."
Before Aria could respond, another voice spoke from the doorway.
It was Ms. Susanna.
"I agree."
She walked over with a warm smile.
"You did an exceptional job today, Aria."
She looked at the trophy before meeting Aria's eyes again.
"I'm proud of how you carried yourself today... especially after everything that happened."
Aria smiled.
"Thank you, Ms. Susanna."
Then she glanced at the trophy.
"But... I can't keep it. We all worked hard for this."
Ms. Susanna smiled.
"And that's exactly why you should keep it."
She picked up the trophy and walked over to where Mom was waiting.
Aria and the others followed behind.
"Ma'am," Ms. Susanna said warmly, "we've all agreed that we'd like Aria to keep this trophy on behalf of the school. But she won't accept it."
Mom looked from the trophy to Aria.
"Aria..."
Before she could finish, Ms. Susanna gently placed the trophy into her hands.
"Please keep it safe for her," she said with a smile.
Mom looked down at the trophy, then back at the teachers and students surrounding her.
"If that's truly what everyone wants..." she said softly.
She turned to Aria.
"Is that okay with you, sweetheart?"
Aria hesitated before finally nodding.
Tears of happiness shimmered in her eyes.
"Thank you," Mom said sincerely. "We'll treasure it."
Ms. Susanna chuckled.
"No need to thank us."
She smiled at Aria.
"We're the ones who should be thanking her. That little speech she gave... it made me very proud. I hope she's proud of herself too."
Mom smiled.
"I know for sure she is. And if she isn't... my pride is enough for two."
She looked at Aria with affection before turning back to the teachers.
"But thank you... truly."
She adjusted her grip on the trophy.
"Now, if you'll excuse us, we'd better get going."
"Oh, not yet," Ms. Susanna said with a laugh.
"We can't let our winners leave without a group picture."
She clapped her hands together.
"Everyone, gather around!"
The students hurried over, laughing as they squeezed together.
One picture became two.
Then three.
By the time the last picture was taken, the hall was filled with nothing but smiles and laughter.