I hold the microphone then wait for the national anthem to end. After that, it's my turn.

Hahhh~ I'm so nervous. My heart is beating really fast and my palms are getting sweaty.

It will be fine. I'll be fine!

Almost half an hour later, it's finally my turn. I walk up the stage while calming my nerves down.

It's fine. It would be fine. I can't mess this up. Mark is watching after all.

When I am on stage, my heart beats louder. Thousand of students and teachers alike are present. They're all staring at me. But they're not the cause of my fear.

I'm looking at the line 20-or-so meters away from the stage. That's our line— the line of our section. And that's where Mark is.

But, why I can't see him? Is it because of the banner my classmates have been waving? Why do they even have that? Please put it down. I can't see Mark.

I shake my head and grip the microphone tightly. I should focus on this. I can't mess up.

The music starts playing through the loud speakers then I start singing.

『♪Hail to you pride of Camarines, where Isarog stands stately grand...♪』

When I began singing the first stanza, my heart is gradually calming down. That's good. I can't mess up. I need to show Mark I'm once again better than Mae.

『♪Here we come at your feet we offer. Homage love, laurel's won, we all bring~♪』

In the second stanza, there are students who aren't singing along with me but are all instead staring at me intensively.

But whatever. It doesn't concern me.

『♪Oh! Come join us today, over the hills, across the seas don't delay...♪』

The students got scolded so they start singing with me in the chorus. My classmates finally put down the stupid banner too.

I can finally see Mark.

Hmmmmmmm...

He isn't there.

My heart skips a beat. I have a bad feeling. But I refuse to think about it. I might just be overthinking. And that's bad.

I squint my eyes and start searching carefully.

But he isn't really here. Not at the front nor at the back. He isn't anywhere.

Where are you?

No. Why?

I don't understand. Where did you go? Why did you leave? Why aren't you listening?

Did I embarrassed him? Is it because I'm sweaty? Is he disappointed? Does he dislike me now?

My eyes feel hot and I wanna cry.

But I can't!

I might just be mistaken!

I can't mess this up because I fail to see him. Mark is good at hiding is presence. I'm sure he's here. What could be the reason for... No.. Aaaagh!

No! Focus!

『♪.....Camarines Sur, Camarines Sur, national~ High school~~!♪』

I finished singing the whole song.

“ENCORE! ENCORE! ENCORE!”

The students are shouting but I can't hear it at all. My eyes can't see their claps and my ears disallow me to hear their cheers.

I'm only looking at one direction.

But...

I don't see him. Not even his silhouette. He isn't here. Mark isn't really here.

He left and didn't want to hear me sing. But you said you'll listen! Where are you then?!

My chest contracts. I can hardly breathe. I wanna scream and cry. But I shouldn't! Because what if.... Aaaaaaaagh!! No!!

Why would you lie to me?!

You're such a liar Mark!

The ceremony is done and I immediately run towards our classroom to find Mark.

There's probably a reason. I shouldn't be doubting him. I am wrong. I am wrong. I am just wrong. I am wrong. I am wrong. I am wrong. I am wrong. I am wrong. I am wrong. I am wrong. I am wrong. I am wrong. I am wrong. I am wrong. I am wrong. I am wrong. I am wrong. I am wrong. I am wrong. I am wrong. I am wrong. I am wrong. I am wrong. I am wrong. I am wrong. I am wrong. I am wrong. I am wrong. I am wrong. I am wrong. I am wrong. I am wrong. I am wrong. I am wrong. I am wrong. I am wrong. I am wrong. I am wrong. I am wrong. I am wrong. I am wrong. I am wrong. I am wrong!

But what if I'm no— No! I'm obviously wrong!

I'm just overthinking.I'm just overthinking. I'm just overthinking. I'm just overthinking.

Stop it.... Please don't overthink anymore... Stop overthinking! It's bad. You know it's bad to overthink. I'm just overthinking!

But... What if...

What if he's probably— No! He is most likely doing something important!

What if ma'am Iris just made him ran an errand?

But ma'am Iris is there!

No. Other teachers of course. There are other teachers as well.

They love to make any students do things after all.

Because there's no way he will lie to me!

There must be something... Something... Anything! Anything is possible!

Just don't... I can't take it...

Please no...

Please...

I'm begging you...

Please— !!

“.................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................?”

W-What..?

Why?

I...

I don't understand.

Didn't she betrayed you?

I'm better than her. I can do more than her.

I helped you the most. I'm always there for you. So why would you choose her?

I don't understand.

Why are you hurting me like this?

You— You— Y-You said that you were looking forward to me singing on stage..... B-but.. why..?

So why are you with that bitch?!

You looks so happy with her. Didn't she have a boyfriend? She's such a whore!

I hate her.

Are you sure you'll choose her over me?

She's not the loyal type. You can't trust her.

She's unworthy.

Didn't you said that I shouldn't worry? So why..?

You made me feel secure earlier but then... this?

Why? I don't understand!

Why...?

Why? Why? Why? Why?

Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?Why?WHY?WHY?WHY?WHY?WHY?WHY?WHY?WHY?WHY?WHY?WHY?WHY?WHY?

WHY?!

WHY WOULD YOU LIE TO ME FOR HER?!

WHY WOULD YOU CHOOSE HER OVER ME?!

TRAITOR! LIAR! LIAR! LIAR! MARK! YOU'RE A LIAR! A LIAR! LIAR!

YOU'RE A LIAR!!!!

I THOUGHT I'M MORE WORTHY THAN HER.

So... why...?

I can't watch this anymore. Disgusting... This is disgusting!!

I run towards the SSG office.

It hurts. I'm confused. I don't understand! What's going on...?

Just what did I do wrong..?

If you have a problem.. you should just have told me…

Just why?!

Just... Please... Mark... Somebody tell me why.

Somebody.... Why... JUST WHHHHY?!!!

“It's your fault you bitch! Isn't it because you're unworthy?!”

“!!”

M-mom...?