School festival Preparation

[Wednesday, Morning]

There is an event that happens every so often in schools. A festival is what it's referred to, but I wouldn't use the word festival. It's a time for students to show off and compete with one another. Classes will run booths or put on some kind of performance. Clubs will also take part and do something to entertain and boast. Although the event is today, it doesn't start until the afternoon when all the parents, siblings or out-of-school girlfriends will come in and buy stuff while listening to whoever is performing.

Although this is overused in quite a bit of media, our school does it 'cause it's a cool idea.

Our class isn't doing much. Since we are approaching our important exams we don't have to do anything. We don't need to come in at all today. It's a day off for us, but here I am. Inside the school when I don't need to be.

The reason why I'm here is because the music club is doing something. They are performing and I was told to help them set up.

I don't know why they asked me. I don't even want to be here.

"Hey, Owen." Ruby jumped off the stage and handed me a roll of cables. "Plug these in."

"Yes, boss." I've been here for about 1 hour and this is the first task I've been given. I assume Ruby is performing today.

"What piece are you playing?" I asked. "You should do Monti's Czardas. I always enjoy listening to it."

"Sadly, I'm not doing anything of the sort. I'm going to be playing an original composition."

Oh, how fancy.

"For the Violin?" I asked.

"Nope. I will be singing it. It will be modern-ish."

Oh, dear. What do I say to this? I never expected this to happen. Now that I look at the stage, there is a drum kit, bass guitar, electric guitar and piano. I just assumed they were for someone else, I didn't think Ruby would be using them.

"I see," I said trying to wrap my head around what was happening.

"Are you going to watch us?" She asked.

"Of course. I'm interested to see. You should know I can be a bit judgy when it comes to music, so I'll be criticizing it the whole time."

"I look forward to it," Ruby smirked, leaving to do the final preparations and warm-ups.

Once Ruby left to carry on setting up, I plugged in the cables she gave to me. They were only power cables for the piano and some amps. Since I wasn't doing much, I decided to sneak away. My excuse was that I didn't want to spoil anything. Maybe I should go get something to eat.

I walked around the school and looked at everyone setting up. I stumbled into the drama room to see what was happening, to my surprise, Kaylee and Ethan were there with the drama club. Kaylee was up on stage whilst Ethan sat in a chair with a hat and fake moustache on whilst his legs were crossed. I guess he is directing them? Is he living out some sort of fantasy?

"What's happening here?" I asked.

"Oh hey, dude. What are you doing here?" Ethan replied.

"I had to help Ruby set up but I'm done now. What about you?"

"Helping Kaylee." His response was like lightning, it's almost as if he wanted me to ask him and he was prepared to answer from the beginning.

"Of course you are," I said whilst condescendingly patting him on the shoulder.

"Oh! Hey Owen!" Kaylee jumped off the stage and walked over to us. "What brings you here?"

"I'm on break and was just wondering what was happening. How is the performance?"

"It's going well. We are all nervous but should be ready."

"Don't worry!" Ethan interrupted. "You'll be great."

"Hehe! Thanks!"

I was only there for a few minutes but felt as if I should leave the love birds alone. Although Ethan isn't in the drama club, he was there for moral support.

"H-hello." I went up to the English rooms to see what was happening with the English clubs. Lily had set up a little shop that made fresh bread. Although it was an English club, they had frequent runners going back and forth between the Student's Food Technology rooms upstairs.

They gave me a bit to try and I must say it was delicious. If you wanted to pay extra you could get words printed on the side of the loaf, I don't know how they did it but it was certainly amazing.

"T-thanks for stopping by," Lily said, quietly bowing down out of politeness and thanks. "Please tell others about us."

It was good to see Lily trying and getting along well with her club. Thinking about it, I didn't know Kaylee was in the drama club, or that Lily was in a writing club. I guess it makes sense. Maybe they are volunteering?

I only had one other place to go before we opened to gates. It was the football club to visit Sean. I wasn't expecting much as I know they have a match tomorrow. But when I got outside I witnessed their hellish training routine. The whole team ran back and forth without rest. Some were struggling but something was motivating them to keep going. At the front of the pack, not even sweating, was Sean. He is something else.

"Oh, Hey Owen!" he said whilst still running up and down with a smile. His team started yelling at him because he made it look too easy. I guess Sean really isn't normal.

"What brings you here?" He stopped to ask.

"Nothing, just coming to see what's happening."

"I see. Well, we are just practising for tomorrow's game. You going to come to watch us?"

"I'll see." I don't want to go watch but I'll just pretend that I do but can't make it.

"Ah, it's ok," Sean said. "You don't have to come. I think Lily said she was going."

Wow, I'm surprised Lily is going. She's improved a lot since we first met.

Brrrrrrring

Even outside the school, we could hear the sound of the bell. Shortly after the bell finished ringing an announcement was made.

"This year's School festival is now open. This year's school festival is now open. We will keep you updated on the times of certain events. All students are reminded to..." The announcement continued, but at that point, I stopped listening.

"I guess it's started. We gotta finish up. I'll catch you later." Sean and the football team ran off quickly looking like exhausted zombies. I looked back to the school and saw the flood of people run in. From children, adults and even people from other schools. It seems a lot of people look forward to this every year. I've always just lazed about, doing little jobs for our class along with Ethan and Sean. The three of us would hide at the back if possible. None of us have ever done something to help with set-up. This is too different for me. I was excited when I found out I didn't need to come to school today. My bed was extra comfy and I didn't want to leave, but maybe it won't be so bad.