Third person's pov
Ethan scanned the area, searching for an empty seat, but every table seemed to be occupied. After a while, he gave up and resigned himself to standing.
Just as he was about to look away, he noticed someone waving enthusiastically at him from a distance.
It was Emily.
She appeared to be calling his name, but her voice was completely drowned out by the noise of the event.
He smiled happily and made his way to where she was, pushing amongst the crowd.
When he reached where she was, Emily pulled his hand to have him sit on the seat she kept for him.
Ethan smiled at her and mouthed a thank you, and the girl smiled back.
Ethan sat down and glanced at Emily.
A seat.
That was all it was.
Yet for the first time in a long while, he felt like he actually belonged somewhere.
Minutes later, a tall man with a strong build climbed the stage with a microphone in his hand.
The MC walked to the center of the stage before bringing the microphone to his lips.
"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen, students, parents, and our distinguished guests.
I hope you are all having a wonderful time tonight.
On behalf of Brandon High School, I would like to warmly welcome each and every one of you to our 15th Anniversary Gala. It is truly an honor to have you here as we celebrate this important milestone in our school's history.
We sincerely appreciate your presence and thank you for taking the time to join us on this special occasion.
Without further ado, please join me in welcoming our esteemed Principal to the stage to deliver his speech. Thank you." The MC said.
The crowd cheered as the Principal stood up from one of the VIP seat to climb the stage.
The principal collected the microphone from the MC after exchanging a handshake with him and turned to face the crowd.
"Good evening, distinguished guests. As the principal of this prestigious institution, I am honored to have you all here celebrating with us tonight. Among our guests, we are privileged to have His Excellency, Governor Harris." He paused as the Governor rose from his seat and waved at the crowd, earning a thunderous round of applause.
"And we are equally honored to welcome the Minister of Education, Mrs. Dila."
Once again, the audience erupted into cheers. It wasn't every day that the Governor or the Minister of Education attended school events, let alone both of them at the same time.
It was no surprise that many of the influential figures present tonight had come because of their attendance.
After the Principal's speech and acknowledgment of some influential guests, the event started fully.
Almost immediately after the principal exit from the stage, a group of ballet dancers gracefully entered the stage.
Ethan shifted his eyes from the stage for a moment to glance at the girl beside him and couldn't help but smile at the sight before him.
Her blue eyes were fixed on the dancers, filled with excitement and it looked like she wouldn't tolerate any form of distraction.
Ethan was about to shift his focus to the stage where the ballet performance had commenced when he felt a gaze on him.
Instinctively he turned and it wasn't long before he caught the culprit.
Daniel didn't shy away and continued to glare at him. He still couldn't shake off the anger that Ethan attended the gala when he should be at home buried in work.
Ethan rolled his eyes at him before giving his attention back to the stage.
The dancers were so graceful in their movements that they had the whole audience entranced.
When the performance was over, the whole place was filled with applause as everyone was satisfied and contented.
Next on the agenda was a debate between the fifth grade and sixth grade.
Daniel was to partake in this debate and as he stood up from his seat, he glanced at Ethan with a mocking smile.
He knew that Ethan was not included in any of the activities today and he felt proud. It didn't matter if he managed to attend one event, Ethan was still below him and he was going to show him just how beneath him he really is.
The debate started and Daniel was on the supporting team. A wide smile was on his lips as he stood on the stage with confidence.
The boy was a bright student although not as brilliant as Ethan.
He always maintained the fourth position in class while Ethan never fell from his first position.
One might start to wonder why Ethan's life was still as bad as it was in school despite his brilliance but the thing is when everyone decides to not look at anything other than your background, nothing else matters.
They all believed that Ethan always cheated to get first place even though he had never been caught cheating.
The MC announced the debate topic 'Teachers are more important to society than Doctors.'
A low buzz spread through the hall as students settled in.
Ethan watched quietly from his seat, his eyes briefly meeting Daniel's across the crowd. Daniel smirked.
The debate began.
The first speakers exchanged points, and the hall slowly became engaged, some nodding, others reacting softly to strong arguments.
After the opposing team gave their points, it was the supporting team's turn.
"Doctors save lives," he began, "but teachers create the people who can save lives."
His voice was calm, controlled, and confident.
He continued, building his argument smoothly, linking education to every part of society.
By the time he finished, the hall was quiet for a second… then erupted into applause.
The MC stepped forward.
"The winner of this debate is Grade Six."
Daniel stepped down from the stage, satisfaction on his face.
As he passed Ethan, he leaned slightly.
"Know your place."
He walked away.
Ethan didn't respond. He only watched him go.
"Now," the MC continued "for the next phase, the Governor had specifically requested for a piano performance and to honor his request I hereby call upon...." He paused as a blonde boy ran across the stage to whisper something in his ear. It seemed like whatever the boy said was unpleasant as a look of horror came upon the MC's face.
"A brief moment please." He said and followed the boy to exit the stage.
Ethan's pov
I watched as the MC and the boy walked out of the stage and decided to use the opportunity to relieve myself.
"Emily, I'll be right back." I whispered in her ear as the noice was too much and she smiled at me before turning away.
I stood up and left for the restroom.
On my way back from the restroom, I saw the MC and the principal arguing something by the corner.
They looked panicked and worried, picking my interest.
I stepped closer to them and heard their conversation.
"What do you mean cancel the piano performance. It was a specific request from the Governor. Are you ready to bear the consequence if he gets angry?" The principal said hastily to the MC.
"What do you suggest we do then? Where do you want to get a pianist within such a short period of time?" The MC asked, frustration laced in his voice.
Seems like the pianist couldn't make it today and now they are trapped on what to do.
I pursed my lips for a moment in thought before walking up to them.
I opened my mouth to say,
"I can help with the performance." I said.
I noticed the look of shock and disbelief on their faces as they stared at me.
After a brief silence, the principal shook his head as if in realization before asking me "What do you mean you can help? Do you know someone that can play?"
I almost rolled my eyes at him for the question.
"I don't know anyone that can play." I said blankly.
I watched as both their faces turned red after hearing my answer.
"Listen boy, this is not the time to joke around. Leave here now." The MC said, glaring at me. The principal didn't hold a friendly look either.
"I don't know anyone that can play but I can." I said again.
"Have you played in an event before?" The principal asked.
"No"
"Then how sure are we that you can play?" He asked, looking skeptical.
"Do you have any other choice?" I asked, causing them to glare at me again.
The two men exchanged a look before turning to face me again.
"You better not mess this up." The MC said and we walked back to the event.
The MC claimed the stage once again and said,
"We are sorry for the delay, I now call on the pianist for his performance."
I stood backstage, the noise from the hall muffled but still loud enough to feel like pressure in my chest.
My fingers twitched slightly at my side as silence settled in my head.
Then it came back to me.
"Don't give up."
Emily's voice.
I exhaled slowly.
It didn't matter what they thought of me. It never really had.
But this… I wasn't walking away from this.
My expression steadied.
And I stepped forward.
As I walked to the piano that was already positioned on the stage and sat on its seat, the whole crowd fell into silence.