Chapter 4: The Audition

Two days passed after that rainy evening. Still, I'm not certain who took me home at that time. "Sophie, make it faster!" Mom shouted from the living room. It's giving me a hard time wearing my uniform alone. If only that accident never happened, my life would be easy.

"I'm coming, Mom!" I answered back, slowly walked towards the living room. I'm thinking if I would tell them that I'm going to participate in a singing contest or not. "Where is your bag?" I was startled when Mom spoke behind me. "At my bed, Mom," I replied, wearing my shoes.

"Ahh, Mom, where is Dad?" I asked her, combing my hair.

"At the living room, watching tv, as usual. Why?" Mom replied irritatedly.

I gulped because of pressure and tension, Mom guided me into the living room. "Dad?" I called him, trying to earn all courage within me. "What do you want to say, Sophie?" I heard him answered.

If only I can see their faces, their smiles, It would be easier to explain. I sighed deeply and said, "Today is the audition for the school singing contest, and I told my adviser that I'll be going to participate. What do you think, Dad?" I told him with excitement in my voice. I've waited for his happy and energetic replied but he just replied boringly, "You're blind. You will never win, Sophie."

I felt like my heart was stabbed for uncountable times, even Dad didn't support me. "But she told me that anyone can participate, as long as you can sing! This is my chance to be a top star!" I told them both. Mommy burst into a loud laugh and stamped her feet like she can't believe in me.

"Stop with your illusions Sophie! You will never be a superstar because, in the first place, you are poor, you don't have connections and your nothing but a blind, pity girl! So, better get rid of that absurd dream of yours in your head, Sophie!" Mom grabbed my arms and pushed me to walk.

I felt the pain in my chest that no one can bear to endure it. They've changed, they never supported me reaching my dream. I felt so small, I felt so useless, I felt like I am nothing but an only hindrance to my parents. "I will bring home the bacon, and all of you will be proud of me." I murmured, wiping my teary eyes.

I don't want to cry again, I don't want to stay in my old and dusty room the whole day. I don't want to be blind forever, from now on, I will stand in my own feet and walk with my head held high. I will show the world that being blind is not a hindrance to reach my dreams, it's an inspiration that only a few who decided to use it.

I kept my mouth shut the whole ride with Mom. We're still using our secondhand car until now. "We're here, Sophie!" I opened the door and get off from it. I knew some routine since I always do it daily. "Kate is waving at you, don't move. She's running towards here." Mom added and drove away without telling me "good luck for the audition later".

"Sophieeee!" Kate called me. I smiled while waving my hand. "Kate!" I replied back.

Kate clutched her hand into me and she guided the way to our room. I'm so blessed having Kate in my life, without her, I don't think I'm still here in this school. "Thank you for everything, Kate!" I told her in a serious way. I'm too emotional lately, life really makes my life miserable, hard to bear but I won't give up. Never!

"Ohh! Don't me cry, Sophie." Kate tapped my shoulders lightly. I wanted to see her reaction, I wanted to catch a glimpse of her, smiling genuinely. "I'm telling you the certainty," I added.

Kate shook my arm and said in a nervous tone, "Sophie, Xian is coming into our way!" I gulped and turned my back, "I don't want to hear his voice, Kate! Please, take him away from me.

I know she's clueless but I don't want to talk to Xian anymore. "Where do you think you are going?" The way he grasps my wrist, it gives me sudden goosebumps. "Leave me alone, jerk!" I replied angrily.

"What's wrong with you, Sophie?" Kate whispered at my ears, knowing nothing!

"Let me explain first," Xian begs.

"I understand that I'm blind. I understand that all of you are not real, and I understand why you almost let me die in nowhere, soggy and afraid!" Xian came from a respected family and I understand why he chose Yhen against me.

I grabbed Kate and we walked so fast into our room. "Let us talk about this misunderstanding, Sophie! I'll wait for you, after the audition!" I heard Xian from afar.

Let's be honest, Xian and I are not meant for each other. I don't know why I felt butterflies in my stomach every time he's closer at me. "Sophie, can you tell me what happened?" Kate put my bag and she let me sit down first.

I wanted to tell her everything, but I don't want to feel the pain anymore. "All right class, all students who are going to participate in the upcoming singing contest, you can now proceed to the music room for an audition. Kate, kindly assist Sophie in the music room." Mrs. Reyes announces.

"Wow! You haven't told me, Sophie!" Kate slapped my arms and pinched my cheeks. "Aw! My lovely, reddish, soft cheeks!" I caress it to ease the pain. 

"Good luck Sophie!" My classmates told me in the chorus. "Thank you for your support, I will do my best to bring home the bacon!" I replied in an enthusiastic and motivated tone. If only they know how much it means to me. A simple "Goodluck" can make a person inspired and emboldened.

"Let's go, Sophie!" Kate told me, stunned and excited.

**

Mr. You announced that there are 50 participants for the said event, and only 15 students will be chosen. I'm too nervous right now, "Sophie, after this, you're next!" My whole body was shaking and trembling because of fear.

"Kate, let's get out of this! I'm nervous, for pete's sake!" I stood up, breathing deeply.

"Okay, next!" Mr. You calls me.

Kate caress my hands, encouraging and boosting my self-confidence. "Good luck, Sophie!" She told me.

"Good day everyone! I'm Sophie Lim, a tenth-grade student!" I greeted the judges even though I don't see their faces. "Good day Sophie! So, according to your record, you are a consistent top student since grade one and you became totally blind when you were in the seventh grade. Am I right?" I nodded, smiling widely.

"What song are you going to sing, and why?" One of the judges asked me. I smiled bitterly and said, "Thank you, Sir! I will be singing a song entitled 'Only Hope' by Mandy Moore. I chose this song because I believe that my only hope is "Him", that he is the only truth and my life would be wonderful if I trust him in everything." I replied confidently.

I want to dedicate this song to all people who care for me especially to Kate, to my classmates and to my parents. Yes, I still want to sing for them even though they're acting differently than before. Without Mom and Dad, I would never see the world, never.

"All right, let us hear it, Sophie!" Mr. Yu said. I closed my eyes as I sing a song that I love.

There's a song that's inside

Of my soul

It's the one that I've tried to write

Over and over again

I'm awake in the infinite cold

But you sing to me over and over and over again

So I lay my head back down

And I lift my hands and pray

To be only yours I pray

To be only yours

I know now you're my only hope

Sing to me the song of the stars

Of your galaxy dancing and laughing and laughing again

When it feels like my dreams are so far

Sing to me of the plans

That you have for me over again

So I lay my head back down

And I lift my hands and pray

To be only yours I pray

To be only yours I know now you're my only hope

I give you my destiny

I'm giving you all of me

I want your symphony

Singing in all that I am

At the top of my lungs

I'm giving it my all

So I lay my head back down

And I lift my hands and pray

To be only yours I pray

To be only yours I pray

To be only yours I know now you're my only hope

I'd give my all the best to this song, for this audition! I'm eager to win, I'm eager to reach my goals without anyone's help and encouragement.

I heard them clapping their hands, I thought they didn't like the way I sang the song because it took them a while to react. "What a golden voice, Sophie! Congratulations in advance!" Mr. Yu told me, amused and surprised.

"Goodness! Sophieee, you just blow the judges away! If you only see their reactions earlier, they are all amazed by your voice! Woah!" Kate lead me back to my spot and give me a bottle of water. Finally, I sighed deeply in relief.

"Oh! Sophie is also here! Guys, what do you think would a blind poor girl doing here?" Yna said sarcastically. "Let's go, Kate!"

"You will never win, Sophie! This time, the crown will be mine!" She added. But I choose to leave, I don't want another trouble. I don't want to be part of their lives, especially Xian.

I turned my back at Kate and wiped my tears with my bare hands. Perhaps it's my fate, to be treated like I'm not a human. "You are my only hope," I whispered in the wind.