"The School Festival-2"

Sydney was stoned, dumbfounded about what Matt's mother had told her.

"My son likes you a lot. I know him well, he will pursue you until you two become a couple. I am sure he is very challenged to get your attention… But young one, his grand world, and your little world, are too different."

The young girl convinced herself that she had to write something, and so she scribbled, [What do you mean, madam?]

The woman laughed a little, and then she responded, "My son is a prince in England. His real name is Matteo Stevevan Travis XVII, the eldest son of the new King… Well, I am not a legal wife, so we have some problems back there. It was just for his safety that he's here, but he will eventually leave you and go back to where he truly belongs," she turned her back on her, "An ill person like you should just forget about him. You will never be accepted by the royal family."

Sydney just stood in front of the mirror, even though Matt's mother had already left. She was too shocked with the revelation about Matt, plus, she felt disappointed in herself because of an illness she thought she would overcome. She glanced at the weak girl in her reflection, thinking about their successful band performance earlier, but now, just because of a few words from a stranger, she already felt dispirited.

When she came back to the Music Room, she told them that she did not feel very well and would just go home for the day. Lenoir and Matt worriedly looked at her and volunteered to take her home, but Sydney chose Olivet to drop her at her house, and the two of them spent some time in the car on the way.

"Sydney, are you alright?" Olivet asked her bestie worriedly, "You seem sad. Did something happen?"

Sydney shook her head.

"Then I have good news for you. I have talked to your ENT doctor, Dr. Sophia. I gave her a list of otolaryngologists that my parents are acquainted with. And she found someone she knows. She will recommend you to have a surgery in the U.S…"

Sydney widened her eyes in surprise, [When?] she scribbled.

"There is no schedule yet, plus, I need to talk to your parents first about their preferred schedule for you… But Sydney, I think you need to go as soon as possible."

Sydney wrote, [I don't want to leave you and everyone here…]

"Sydney, I will go with you," Olivet beamed a smile, "I will not leave you. Aren't we best friends?"

Sydney embraced Olivet, and tears fell down on her cheek. At the back of her mind, she felt like she was lucky to have such a kind friend who was always there when she needed her.

…

The next day was the second day of the school festival. Matt's mother had already left, and somehow, Sydney felt relieved. Together with Olivet, Lenoir, and Matt, Sydney walked around the school and enjoyed the different displays of each class.

"Hey, did you know? There's a school legend…" the four of them stopped their tracks when they heard about something interesting from a random girl, "In the last day of the school festival, if you confess to your crush in front of the school gate at the time of fireworks display, and he accepts your feelings, you will be together as lovers for a long time!"

"What?! Really?" the other girl exclaimed, "Geez, I need to prepare myself! Wait… but what will happen if my crush rejects me?"

"Then stop liking that person, he's not worth your time!"

"What the… I will give up that easily? Is that part of the school legend, too?"

"No, just an advice from me, heheh…..." And their voices were becoming faint as the girls walked away, "Do you think that school legend is true?" Lenoir asked his friends.

"I don't know… But there's no harm in trying, right?" Olivet said as she shot Lenoir and Matt a look, pinching both of their arms.

…

The third and the fourth day of the school festival ended successfully, and the most awaited day, the fifth and last day, finally came. There were some famous bands who were invited, and aside from that, there were bags of freebies given by the teachers to the students.

It was the liveliest day of the school festival, but at the same time, the students were a bit emotional that the event would eventually come to an end. Of course, most of them were thinking that they would be back to the regular classes by next week.

For Senior high students who would soon graduate like Lenoir, it was extra emotional. It would be his last school festival, and he wanted it to be special.

While Matt and Olivet were conversing with the event organizer, Lenoir and Sydney were left inside the Music Club room.

"Sydney," he uttered, making her look at him, "You'd stay until the closing program later, right?"

She nodded and smiled at him. [Why?] she scribbled.

"I want to talk to you about something… Can we talk privately later?"

But Sydney wrote on her magnetic drawing board, [We can talk now. They are not here… What is it?]

"No, it has to be later…" Lenoir chuckled, "It will ruin my plan."

[OK!] Sydney flashed a smile. She wondered what it was and she was curious, but if he still did not want to talk about it yet, it would be alright, too.

Soon after, Olivet and Matt returned.

Matt looked very excited and happy as he approached Sydney, saying, "Syd! Meet me in front of the school gate later, before the fireworks!"

Sydney raised her brow.

"You don't even need to ask, right?" Matt laughed, "I will confess to you properly later, and I will make sure to avail that school legend thing!"

She knew she couldn't do anything about that assertive attitude of his. She just nodded at him.

But then, she remembered what his mother had told her - that an ill person like her would never be accepted by Matt's family.