Sound Amidst The Darkness

It was the usual day for me. Gray clouds covered the sky as the heavy rain poured upon me as if I was its sole target. I arrived at school dripping wet just to find what I always see every morning. She's talking to him again as she does every morning. I took my seat in the corner of the room to dry my clothes and wait for the assembly bell that would finally put a stop to their conversation.

I waited for the bell but I didn't hear a sound, except the sound of her laughter while talking to him. It must've been caused by some technical difficulty. And on top of that, our first period teacher was late. She would love that for sure.

I grew tired of what was happening, so I rose up and decided to go to the restroom where I can privately remind myself how much of a loser I have become. Just when I was about to leave the classroom, I heard a not so distant voice call out to me.

"Hey," that's how I heard it.

I turned around and to my surprise, I saw that it was her. I was glad at first, knowing that I will never get her attention unless I hang myself using her own hair while screaming "I love you!" so I approached her and asked what the matter was.

"Could you be my partner for the "A Thousand Words Painting Contest" tomorrow?" she asked me.

I was shocked. I was speechless and I could barely feel my knees at that moment. But I tried to act normal.

"Sure," I replied, trying to hide my anticipation.

"But I have a favor to ask," she continued.

"What is it?" I asked her.

"As I have heard, the prize for the winner will be a cruise around the world for two," she told me.

"Woah, isn't that too much for a mere painting contest?" I wondered.

"It's the biggest event for the Golden Anniversary our school is celebrating," she said.

"Oh, I see," I replied.

"Anyways, why me?" I continued.

"I heard you're the best when it comes to anything related to art," she said in a nice tone.

"Well, what's the favor you're asking for?" I asked her once again.

"If we win, I would like to sharethe prize with a friend. That is, if you're willing to give your ticket to me, of course. I hope you wouldn't mind. Knowing your family's status, I know you can afford another cruise any time you wish," she explained.

"Well, it's alright for me. But what's with all the future plans? We're not even sure we're gonna win yet," I teased her.

"Oh, I have full confidence in you," she said with a wink.

I was flattered by what she said. She made me smile. To my disappointment, our teacher suddenly came and asked the class to take their seats.

That was the happiest day of my life. I felt so alive during the whole day. And when we were about to be dismissed, I saw her waving me goodbye. She then walked along the way home with him as she does every afternoon. Usually, I get hurt everytime I see them together. But somehow, I felt a little hope this time.

I walked alone until I arrived home. I couldn't hide the excitement that I feel inside. I hurriedly went to my room and thought for a plan for the contest. I wanted the painting to be one of a kind because that event is very special for me. It took me several hours trying to figure out what I should paint but there still weren't any ideas popping out of my head. It was already late so I just decided to sleep so I could have the energy for tomorrow's big event.

The next morning, I woke up bursting with energy. I fixed myself and prepared to go to school. It was cloudy outside and I felt like it would rain later. But I was too excited to bother myself about the weather.

I came to school early. She was the first person I looked for. She was there and he was nowhere in sight. She approached me and we talked about the plan for the contest. We kept talknig until the bell rang and our teacher arrived. I felt so happy. Now I know how he feels everytime he talks to her.

We were called out to the place where the contest was supposed to be held. Everyone else seemed to be nervous but I wasn't. Maybe it was because she was beside me, holding my hand. At that exact moment, I realized what I should the subject of my painting should be. I will paint the girl of my dreams. I will paint her.

She told me that she has no talent in painting and explained to me that she might be of no help at all. But I didn't mind. I told her to just stay still for she will be the subject of my painting. She agreed and we started working. She stood still as I painted her. Her pose was very beautiful and her smile was angelic. That moment was perfect and I couldn't believe I had the chance to capture it using my own hands. A few hours passed. I have finally created the most wonderful creation I have ever done. My painting was almost as perfect as my subject. I named my painting "Angel of Silence" - a name perfect for a masterpiece I've put my heart and soul into. All that was left to pray for was to win the prize and make her happy.

After all the works of the contestants were shown to the judges, a decision was made right away. We won. I looked at her face and saw her beautiful smile once again. That made me happy as well. The tickets were handed to us. I gave her my ticket as I had promised.

I could hear the loud voices of our classmates as we returned to our classroom. Everybody welcomed us like celebrities. It took a while before we could sit down because everyone kept teasing us and kept throwing us questions. When the commotion was over, I finally had the chance to talk to her in private. I was about to say something to her when suddenly, he approached her.

"We can finally go together," she told him.

"What? I thought you'll go with a friend of yours?" I interfered

"Well he is my friend, isn't he?" she said sarcastically.

"I didn't tell you because I didn't think you'd care," she added.

"No. You knew I wouldn't accept your offer if you told me it was him you'll go with. You used me..." I said as I changed the tone of my voice.

"It's your fault. You're an idiot who thinks the world revolves around him," she said to me straight.

"Why can't you just be like him? He has everything you don't have," she continued.

"No, you just don't like me," I tried to assert myself.

"There you have it. You said it yourself. You knew it all along and yet you still think you can compare someone such as yourself to him? That proves you really are an idiot," she insulted.

I felt excruciating pain inside of me as she continues to degrade me.

"Sorry for not being him," I stuttered.

I ran out of the room as I said my final words. I wandered aimlessly outside, trying to reflect on what I had just done. My cheeks felt wet. I didn't know if I was crying or it was the rain. I didn't know where I was. I couldn't see anything clearly. All I can feel is the heavy rain pouring upon me as if I was its sole target.

As I walked along further, I saw a brilliant light glaring ahead of me. It came towards me at a great speed. As I hear the loud honk, I came to my senses and realized that I was about to be hit by a truck. I couldn't move my body and I didn't know if there was any point in doing so.

Everything suddenly turned black. I knew the truck hit me but I didn't feel any pain at all. I couldn't feel the rain but I could hear it crashing on the ground. I couldn't see anything in the dark but a clear image of her, smiling at me. The "Angel of Silence" faded away together with the sound of the crashing rain.