As the weeks passed, Kingstar's life at St. Joseph R/C JHS seemed to settle into a new routine. He was no longer the shy, isolated new kid. He was making friends, studying harder, and slowly improving his grades. But there was one thing that kept pulling his attention away from his studies, something he couldn't ignore: Irene Yeboah's voice.
Irene had always been calm and confident, but there was another side to her one that Kingstar hadn't discovered until they'd started spending more time together during breaks and free periods. She had a voice that seemed to captivate everyone around her. Whenever Irene sang, whether it was a hymn, a popular song, or just a melody she made up on the spot, her voice had an undeniable magic.
At first, Kingstar had tried to resist the pull of her singing. But every time he heard her voice drifting through the air, it was like a spell had been cast on him. He couldn't help himself. He would stop whatever he was doing, whether it was homework, reading, or talking to friends, and listen. He was mesmerized.
"Irene, your voice is amazing," Kingstar had said one afternoon, unable to hold back his admiration.
Irene had smiled, a little shy but pleased. "Thank you, Kingstar. I love singing. It's my way of relaxing."
Soon enough, every time there was a free period or a break between classes, Kingstar found himself searching for Irene, hoping to hear her sing again. Sometimes, he would find a spot in the courtyard or by the school garden just to hear the melodies that flowed effortlessly from her lips.
The problem was, as much as Kingstar tried to focus on his studies, his curiosity about Irene's singing and his desire to be near her began to distract him. Instead of working on his homework or reviewing his notes, he would spend hours learning the lyrics to every song Irene sang. He began memorizing songs, practicing his own voice, and dreaming of impressing Irene with his musical talents.
"I bet if I can sing like her, she'll notice me even more," he thought to himself.
But as he became more obsessed with learning the lyrics and practicing, his focus on academics slipped. The days became a blur of music, lyrics, and daydreams of singing alongside Irene. Kingstar found himself losing track of time, and before he knew it, the second-term exams were upon him.
When the results came in, Kingstar was shocked to see that his grades had plummeted. Twelfth place. A stark contrast to his fifth-place finish from the previous term. He had never felt so disappointed in himself. His parents were concerned, but Kingstar knew deep down what had caused the slip in his performance.
That evening, after the exam results were announced, Kingstar found himself walking alone in the school courtyard, feeling the weight of his failure.
"I don't understand," he muttered. "I've worked so hard, but I've let it slip away."
It was then that Irene came up to him, humming softly as she walked past. When she noticed his somber expression, she stopped and sat beside him.
"Hey, what's wrong, Kingstar?" she asked gently.
He hesitated, unsure whether to admit the real reason for his poor performance. Finally, he sighed and said, "I've been… distracted. By you, actually."
Irene raised an eyebrow, curious. "Distracted by me?"
Kingstar nodded, his voice filled with frustration. "Your singing. I love it. I've been trying to learn every song you sing, and I've been spending so much time thinking about it and practicing that I lost focus on my studies. And now look at my results… I feel like I've failed."
Irene's expression softened. "I had no idea," she said, her voice sincere. "I never meant to distract you, Kingstar. I just sing because it's something I enjoy. I didn't realize it was taking so much of your time."
Kingstar looked down, feeling embarrassed. "I know it's my fault. I should have focused more on my books. But I just couldn't help it. Your voice is amazing, and I wanted to learn how to sing like you."
Irene thought for a moment, then placed a gentle hand on his shoulder. "I appreciate your kind words. But I think you should be focusing on your studies right now, Kingstar. Your education is the most important thing. If singing makes you happy, there will be time for that later. But right now, you need to find balance."
Kingstar nodded slowly. He knew she was right. He had lost sight of what was important. Irene's voice was beautiful, but it was his own future that needed his attention the most.
"I'll fix this," he said determinedly. "I'll balance things out and get back on track."
Irene smiled at him. "I believe in you, Kingstar. You're smart and hardworking. Just remember that focus is key."
Over the next few weeks, Kingstar took Irene's advice to heart. He still enjoyed listening to her sing, but he no longer let it dominate his thoughts. He created a schedule for himself that allowed him to study without distractions, while still leaving some time for his new hobby singing, but only when his work was done.
The change wasn't immediate, but as the term progressed, Kingstar found himself gradually regaining his focus. When the final exams came, he was prepared. This time, he wasn't distracted by his fascination with Irene's voice. He had learned the importance of balance, and it paid off when his results came in.
He had made it back into the top five, earning fourth place. Though it wasn't first, it was a huge improvement from where he had been, and more importantly, Kingstar felt a sense of pride in how far he had come.
That evening, when he passed Irene in the hallway, he smiled and said, "Thank you, Irene. I've learned a lot from you."
She smiled back, her eyes twinkling. "You're welcome, Kingstar. Just don't forget to keep singing, okay?"
Kingstar laughed, feeling a weight lift off his shoulders. He had found his balance, and with it, a renewed sense of purpose.