Have you ever asked yourself why things work for others but not for you. Like you walk in an escalator but when others reach the top it malfunctions.
Well you might be asking me now why I felt this way. Well,
"Booooooooo, Boooo"
"What the hell is happening?" The crowd is getting rowdy. But we can't do anything but bow our heads.
We have been standing here for almost 10 mins. Our starting position is we all face backwards from the audience and we face them one by one. However, for some unknown reason the music was never played. It was awkward for everyone.
The teachers are panicking backstage. You can hear them shouting, the audience not having it they waited for too long. Some people want to go home before this event even starts.
Now that the problem has been created? No way they will stay quiet. They have been booing us for a while now. My groupmate are getting more pressured. Raven even suggested we go down for a while and wait for the music. However, I know if we do that this event is done for and we won't be able to perform. So the leader asked them to be patient.
I look calm on the outside. People might say that I am a perfect leader. My thoughts say differently. All of the curse words that I can say had been said already. I even kicked the organizer in the face in my mind.
"We didn't deserve this booing. We didn't even do a thing" Carlo said as he started to look tired. We definitely didn't deserve this. Same with the audience. And same with the teacher everything that happens is because of faulty equipment and the organizer not checking it properly.
Then after a while the music finally started. My heart starts to beat fast. But that didn't matter. I am determined to change. And this is my chance. I will do this with all I have.
"Sorry for the delay, please welcome the VANTIX again!!!"
"FINALLY LET'S START THIS SHIT!!!" I shouted loudly. All of my breaks have been removed. I didn't even think of saying that. Maybe I am really pissed right now.
The crowd were shocked at first but as I started singing the 1st verse people started cheering. My groupmate also got psych up.
Joseph now even smiles as he sings his part.
The song was getting intense sweat pours like crazy but we still went on.
Then there is the chorus. My part.
Everyone suddenly squatted down, leaving me standing.
"HOY!!! PINOY ako!---" everyone sang with me. No one minds losing their voice as they shout. After all this was one of my most favorite songs in this era. Proudly shouting our identity and resilience.
I think this song is very suitable for this event.
The entire covered court erupted in noise.
Students stomped their feet against the floor while others raised their hands in the air like they were attending an actual concert instead of a school event.
"HOY! PINOY AKO!"
The energy completely changed. Just moments ago everyone was irritated and exhausted from the delay. Now the entire crowd was singing together like none of that happened.
I could even see some teachers laughing while recording us with their phones. Clearly something that is worth remembering.
The second verse started.
Raven spun perfectly into position while Carlo and Joseph followed behind him. Their movements were sharper than during practice. Maybe because all of us were fueled by adrenaline and pure annoyance.
However, this is not a good thing. Joseph nearly slipped because of sweat on the floor. This becomes a reminder to all don't ever lose yourself with the cheers. For as long as you are in the stage you have to carry yourself mindfully or else all your hard work will vanish.
Good thing the audience didn't see it.
The audience cheered even louder as we moved on.
Backstage, some performers peeked through the curtains watching us with shocked expressions. Probably because nobody expected the crowd to react like this after the disastrous delay.
I mean a while ago the crowd was booing us. But now I think we got the loudest cheers among the performers.
We continue dancing. We practice this a lot. Even with our eyes closed we can do this perfectly. We never lost focus.
Everyone moved in sync while the speakers blasted loudly throughout the court. I could barely hear myself anymore because the students were practically singing over us now.
Kyle started having a hard time singing. The speaker is away from us. With the student singing back at us we barely even hear the music. We sometimes missed the beat but because everyone is singing no one notices us making mistakes.
At this point we weren't even performing alone.
Now I understand why people love standing on stage. The cheers. The pressure. The adrenaline rushing through your body. It feels addicting.
The song ended with all of us striking our final pose.
For one second…
Silence.
Then
The entire covered court exploded. We bowed our heads with a full smile. We can't hide the happiness in our face.
Cheers echoed everywhere.
Some students even stood up from their seats clapping loudly.
"VANTIX!"
"VANTIX!"
"VANTIX!"
I widened my eyes slightly.
They were chanting our group name.
Beside me, Joseph looked ready to cry.
Raven was laughing breathlessly.
Carlo raised both hands proudly while Kyle covered his face in disbelief.
Meanwhile, me?
I just stood there trying to catch my breath while staring at the crowd.
Honestly…
This might be the first time since returning to the past that I truly felt alive again.
—---
At the back stage.
"We made it!!!!!" We all shouted as we raised our hands. People start congratulating us for the successful performance. We only performed for about 5 Mins with a practice time of more than a month. but it felt like 100 days of happiness.
It was totally worth it.
The clapping outside still hasn't ended. It has been about 3 minutes now but we still can hear the people cheering. We are happy that they enjoyed it. After all that is the purpose of the performance. So that the audience will have a good time.
Then for some strange thing to happen. A person shouted.
"One more!!" We all looked back in shock at the person in front that shouted it.
Then like a chain reaction everyone starts chanting it. More and more people start copying the chant making it hard to bear and our ears start ringing because of it.
The program is already about to end. The MC was about to shout at the end of the event.
She didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
"A few minutes ago you all wanted to go home, now you want an extension? Are you all high or something?"
She didn't say it like that but that is how she handles it.
Learning that everyone can go home now the gate finally opens. Everyone expected that the chanting would finally stop. But they have never been more wrong.
"One more, One more, One more!"
Everyone is high. But not as high as Madam Louise seeing that her program is successful. She looks at us then smiles.
"What are you waiting for? Do it again!"