Two weeks went by in the blink of an eye. At the dojo, the sensei had become even more demanding. After our fight, he focused on my fluidity, on my ability to react without thinking. Every day, I practiced the katas until my muscles burned, and then with the nunchakus, I worked on the harmony of my movements. He taught me to trust my body, my raw strength, to control it and use it.
Several bruises marked my back, thighs, and arms from the times I failed with the nunchakus, but each time there were fewer, and that was a significant improvement.
The morning of the big day arrived. The sun was bright, and the heat was unusual for the season. My stomach churned with nerves. Today was both the Science Fair and the School Music Contest. The pressure was immense, but I felt ready.
Felicia and I met early in the gym, which had been transformed into a science fair with tables and projects everywhere. Our project, the volcano, was a simple but effective one we had painted a reddish-brown color. The mixture of baking soda and vinegar was ready, hidden in a small plastic cup in the crater.
"All set," said Felicia with a nervous smile. "The judges will be here any minute."
"Relax, we've got everything under control," I said, trying to calm her down. "The structure's perfect. The volcano won't collapse—it'll just erupt."
The judges, three teachers in white coats, approached our table. Felicia gave an impeccable presentation, explaining each step of the process, the chemistry behind the reaction, and the importance of experimentation. When she finished, the judges looked impressed. One of them leaned closer to our table.
"Now, the eruption," I said with a smile.
Felicia poured the vinegar into the crater. The volcano roared, lava bubbling and spilling down its sides at a slow pace. The eruption was… normal. Exactly what was expected. Nothing more, nothing less. The judges gave us a grade and moved on to the next table.
I felt a sting of disappointment, but Felicia smiled at me.
"Don't worry. We gave it our all."
MJ and Harry walked over to our table.
"Hey, guys!" said Harry, grinning from ear to ear.
"How did it go?" asked MJ, her eyes sparkling.
"Good, I guess," I said.
"We just finished too," said Harry with a smile, giving me a pat on the back.
A couple of tables ahead, Gwen and Peter were sitting by their project—a kind of generator that used solar power to create light. It was an impressive project, but nothing less was expected from them.
A few minutes later, the winners were announced.
"And first place goes to… Peter Parker and Gwen Stacy!"
We clapped as hard as we could. Even though we lost, I felt happy for them. Their project deserved to win.
My phone buzzed. A school notification reminded me that the Music Contest was in an hour.
"I have to go get ready," I said with a nervous smile.
"I'll see you there—you'll do great!" said Felicia, kissing me on the cheek.
An hour later, the school auditorium was packed. The lights dimmed, and silence filled the room. I walked onto the stage, blinded by the spotlight. I spotted Felicia's silhouette smiling at me. Next to her were Peter, Harry, Gwen, and MJ. My mind focused on them
---------------------------------------------------
Give me your, give me your
Give me your attention, baby (attention, baby)
I got to tell you a little something about yourself (self)
You're wonderful, flawless, ooh, you're a sexy lady (sexy lady)
But you walk around here like you wanna be someone else (else)
Oh, whoa
I know that you don't know it
But you're fine, so fine (fine, so fine)
Oh, whoa
Oh girl, I'm gonna show you
When you're mine, oh, mine (mine, oh, mine)
Treasure, that is what you are
Honey, you're my golden star
You know you can make my wish come true
If you let me treasure you
If you let me treasure you, oh, oh, oh
Pretty girl, pretty girl, pretty girl
You should be smiling (you should be smiling)
A girl like you should never look so blue (blue)
You're everything I see in my dreams
I wouldn't say that to you if it wasn't true (true)
Oh, whoa
I know that you don't know it
But you're fine, so fine (fine, so fine)
Oh, whoa
Oh girl, I'm gonna show you
When you're mine, oh, mine (mine, oh, mine)
Treasure, that is what you are
Honey, you're my golden star
You know you can make my wish come true
If you let me treasure you
If you let me treasure you, oh, oh, oh
You are my treasure, you are my treasure
You are my treasure, yeah, you, you, you, you are
You are my treasure, you are my treasure
You are my treasure, yeah, you, you, you, you are
Treasure (you are my treasure)
That is what you are (you are my treasure, you are my treasure)
Honey, you're my golden star (you are, you are my treasure)
You know you can make (you are my treasure)
My wish come true (you are my treasure)
If you let me treasure you (you are, you are my treasure)
If you let me treasure you (you are my treasure), oh, oh, oh
---------------------------------------------------
When the song ended, I heard the crowd burst into applause. I noticed my friends' excited faces as they looked at me. I stepped off the stage and stayed backstage for a while until the performances were over.
As I waited, my friends came over.
"You were amazing! That was incredible!" Felicia said, hugging me tightly.
The others followed, wrapping me in a group hug.
At the end of it all, the winner of the contest was announced. I had won, and just as promised, they gave me a medal—and apparently, I'd also have to perform at the NY festival.
The celebration took place at my house. My mom had prepared a delicious dinner, and my friends were in the living room talking, laughing, and celebrating both Peter and Gwen's win and mine.
"Damon, you were awesome!" said Harry, slapping me on the back.
"I knew you wanted to be an artist, but I didn't expect you to sing that well," added Peter, his eyes gleaming.
I laughed and nudged him with my elbow. "Congrats on winning the science fair. You and Gwen definitely deserved it."
"She's right," said MJ, sitting next to Harry. "Your project looked like it was from another planet."
The night went on, and soon everyone headed home. I walked Felicia back to her place, but this time it was her mother, Lydia Hardy, who opened the door.
She smiled when she saw us and invited me over for dinner in a couple of weeks. I simply nodded and went home.
The next morning, I noticed something had changed. More people greeted me in the hallways.
As I walked toward my locker, a guy who had never spoken to me before fist-bumped me and said, "Bro, your voice is amazing!"
I laughed, feeling strange. When I reached my locker, I saw Felicia waiting for me with a smile.
"Enjoying the fame?" she asked with a laugh.
"It's a little weird, but nothing I can't handle," I admitted.
Suddenly, the principal's voice echoed through the speakers: "Damon, please report to my office."
Felicia looked at me with concern, but I smiled, trying to reassure her. "Don't worry. It's fine."
I walked to the principal's office. When I entered, the middle-aged man greeted me with a warm smile.
"Damon, have a seat," he said kindly. "I wanted to talk to you about the music contest."
"Of course, sir."
The principal stood up from his chair and pulled a video camera from a shelf. He connected it to a small television in his office, and the screen lit up with my performance.
"I just wanted to say your performance was spectacular," he said.
He looked me in the eyes.
"I have a friend who works at a very important music label. He's with Columbia Records, and I'd like to send him your video."
My mind froze. Columbia Records. One of the biggest record labels in the world. "Of course—I'd love for him to give me that opportunity."
"Don't worry, kid. Just don't forget my name when you become a big star," he said with a smirk. I rolled my eyes—of course it wouldn't be a favor without strings attached