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CHAPTER 01 | START |

~ Mara Elaisle Avilla ~

"The winner of this contest will be nominated as Miss Loving, who will spread her advocacy of concern and love for our own language!"

"Wooohh! Go grade 12!" I heard one of my classmates shout. I humbly laughed at their support of me. I'm their representative for Bb. Loving. Today is language month and this is the last day of the culmination, this is also the highlight of the event, this pageant.

Si, Rose should be our representative here in case she doesn't want to, so Lian and I are the ones who pushed for this pageant. I accepted it, since it's an extra curricular activity.

"Go! Mae!" In the crowd at the gymn, I could still hear the screams of my two friends. Bestfriends to be exact.

I looked at the two of them who were in the very front, they were still carrying a banner with my face on it, and something was written on it.

"Go Mae!"

They're my bestfriends for five years, we're so close to each other and we treat each other like a sisters. My name is Mara Elaisle but Lian and Rose used to call me, Mae for short. Rose's full name is, Rona Serene but we call her, Lian is Rose. Lian is Lish Anya.

I smiled broadly at the two of them, the two of them looked like crazy, like they were fangirls noticed by their idol. Very supportive of the two 'to serious!

The truth is I was nervous at first, this is my first time in pageant and I don't have any experience with these. But the time I stepped in this stage I enjoyed it so much, the crowds are kinda wild so I kinda laughed. In the question and answer earlier, I was confident in what I answered. Win or lose I'm still happy, I'll still treasure this experience like how I treasured my other experiences.

My fingers run through my hair, it's a bit curly now, I'm wearing a modern black pilipiñana gown, I like the gown so much especially the crystals design on the chin.

"Our Bb. Loving for this person is ..." I smiled, my heart beating in line with the drum rolls they were playing.

"Mara Elaisle Avilla! Representative from the twelfth grade." As soon as my name was called, the first thing I did was to turn a blind eye and thank God. He made this experience really unforgettable and treasurable.

When I opened my eyes the crowds go wilder, of course Rose and Lian are already leading there. I smiled from ear to ear as I looked at those close to me one by one.

"We're calling the winner's parents on stage to put on a sash." My smile faded. Parent. I do not have that.

My smile just returned when I saw Kuya Mike coming up on stage. "Congrats youngest!" Aniya sabay yakap sa'kin.

"Thanks kuya," I replied.

"You're great!" He would have pinched my cheek but I glared at him so he stopped. He threw the sash at me, Bb won. Loving last year brought me a crown. I also received a boquet, plaque, and a cash prize.

When the awards were over I was sent back to the back stage for the final walk. I do not know! The many artists of Love Academy.

"For the end of this contest, let's applaud Mr. Jaydañiel Escleto for his song." The shouting got louder, maybe the shouting is even louder now than before when the winner was called.

I was just shaking. That guy is kinda famous here in school, many girls drown over him because of his amazing voice plus points that are just maybe handsome.

I know, Jaydañiel also known as Jayda because he's friends with, Kuya Mike, but we're not close, we don't even have a conversation.

I heard from the back stage that he had already started to strum his guitar so the screams of the audiences got louder.

"Congrats ija!" Ma'am Sayre our Filipino teacher congratulated me, she is on the back stage because she is the organizer of this event.

"Thank you ma'am." I humbly said.

"You're coming out, tomorrow chorus ah." He reminded me that I nodded.

"~ You are the promise

With a star ~ "

Jayda started singing, I heard the crowd went silent. His voice is really amazing, I've heard him sing a few times because he really buys things like this but his voice is still impressive.

"~ You are love

Day and night ~ "People are already singing along with her, even the one next to me, Ma'am Sayre is singing as well.

"~ You are the hope, a beacon in the dark. Hardship and sorrow are gone ~"

"Elaisle, it's your turn." Ma'am Sayre signaled me, so from the back stage I came out.

I was surprised when the one who greeted my exit was Jayda's outstretched hand. What is this? It's not in practice, is it?

"~ Heaven is life every time you kiss ~" He smiled and sang in front of me while still holding out his hand to me. Though confused I still accepted his hand, he led me to the front of the stage. He's holding my hand as if he's my escort guiding me where I should go.

He had an acoustic guitar around his neck but he was holding a microphone, he was not the one playing.

"Our Bb. Loving! Bb. Mara Elaisle Avilla!" The host said. The people applauded, followed by their teasing shouts.

"Ayeii!" They shouted, my forehead wrinkled for a moment. Its echoseras.

"~ You are the dream

Just you ~ "When I reached the middle, Jayda let go of my hand. There I saw that she had another companion playing the guitar.

"Congrats, Laisle." I was surprised when he suddenly whispered to me, he lowered the microphone so I was the only one who heard what he said.

I don't have the time to react, and I guess it's normal for him to greet me right?

"~ You are love

Day and night ~ "When he sang again I started my final walk. Walk to the right, walk to the left, pose in the middle that's all I did while smiling. This day is really fun, I hope nothing breaks.

My parents may not be here, but I'm still contented of the support my bestfriends, classmates, teachers, and my older brother gave me.

"We love you Mae! We love you!" Rose and Lian shouted from the top of their lungs. I smiled to them and gave them a flying kiss.

"~ Heaven is life every time you are kissed

What a joy every time you watch

With you, the night seems like day

You are the dream

Only you ~ "

I was surprised when the singer touched me, I don't know where did it come from? But he gave me a red rose, he then smiled at me. I didn’t know there was such a thing because it wasn’t part of the rehearsals.