Chapter 38

2018.06.02

I finished with my welcome video and showed it to the vice principals. They were impressed. But they were worried about the video pausing in between. "Do not worry madam. The laptop fell last month so that is why there is a slight issue with the video but on the competition day Jessica and another girl volunteered to bring in their laptop." One of the vice principal said, "Oh my kid you should be careful. Is it not Mrs. Eden?" Mrs. Eden is the other vice principal she nodded in reply and she said, "The video is very well done. It is new and great." Then the other vice principal acted like a small girl and said, "It will be lit." It was the first time for our school to have a good welcome video. We could now compete with the boys schools for the video making.

2018.06.05

Finally the competition day arrived. I set up the projector and the laptop and readied my table for the presentation. The president got me songs to be played. I told her to provide them to me because our school always finds a way with the flaws. It is tiring. I had my camera ready. It was a new model, thanks to my cousin brother to lend to me after pleading on my knees.

I saw a lot of familiar faces. I sat there with full pride as the editor. The moment of others getting to know the exotic cooler side of Anna. But then again I forgot to ask my cousin brother how to use the camera. He gave me it in the early morning and he was half asleep. I should try to manage. I pretended to know everything. I started with the photographing of the auditorium. I dared not to go the boys' side because of the stupid accusations I will get. Everyone was starting at the hot girl with the camera; me.

I played the welcome video after president's speech. I did not see everyone's reaction but I got feedback once it was over. My colleagues were so happy with it, they kept praising me for it. The ones who knew me glared at me after the name on the screen. I know many would not believe that I did the video and that was not my problem at all.

I met president's father. I nodded at him and when I was about to go, a man next to him who I later got to know was in the education department of our district talked with me about the camera. "Nice camera you got there." I smiled and said yes and handed over the camera for him to take a closer look. I knew now the camera did cost a lot. 'Thank you my handsome cousin.' and then he continued, "Take really nice photos and shake up. Good Luck!" That is what I am struggling with. HOW TO USE THIS BLOODY PIECE OF SHIT! I AM TAKING PHOTOS AND SIXTY PERCENT OF THEM ARE BLURRED!! DO YOU GET IT! THIS IS ONLY SHOW-OFF! What will I do if they ask me for photos after the competitions? I should try to manage.

I went to each section and took photos. I saw Daniel's little brother. I took a photo of him too. He is a cutie pie. Then later I came upon 'The Oratory' section and met Mr. Samuel. I did not want to go and get some shots so I send Zarina and took them. I did not want to get caught red-handed for photographing her Mrs. Samantha's son and for her to throw a fit at me.

I was not even half done with the photographs. I saw Mrs. Samantha approaching me. I could tell from far away from her stench that she had been looking for me. She tried to be casual when she came towards me but I could tell it right away. "I think you should now put away your camera away now. Everyone are watching you. I think it will become a problem." No it will be not. It is a problem for you. You do not like me being in the limelight. Your eyes cannot lie Mrs. Samantha. "Okay madam." that is all I told and got down the stairs and made a turn to the opposite building and came back to my previous spot. I am not going to keep it away. I am tired of listening to people and being the good girl.

I saw Daniel's little brother coming out of the essay section. He had finished with his essay. I watched him. I saw him taking a phone from his backpack and he made a call to his mother or father to inform them that he had finished his essay. He saw me watching him and quickly slipped his phone back. I smiled at him. They also have strict rules. I asked him, "You finished dear?" He nodded. "How can I get to the auditorium?" he asked me with his cheeks filled with cuteness. "Come follow me, I am going there now." He followed me from behind and I went ahead him. I came to the entrance of the auditorium and showed the entrance with my hand. He said, "Thank you" and I nodded in return. I watched him walk to the auditorium and I also noticed that Daniel's friends were watching me. They smiled at me and tapped on Daniel's brother's shoulder. I just went up to them and turned right.

The day was over and I was extremely exhausted. I went home and threw myself to the bed to have a nap.

2018.06.03

"These are the decoration ideas", one of the members told me. I looked at them for a while. Now there is a flaw in them. That is when they do one or two decors they self-claim that they have done a lot but it does not make the stage pleasant. Because our stage is small and shabby. It does not look that grand so we got to make it from ordinary to extraordinary. "Are you sure? I do not think this will be enough. It will definitely be empty." Kate who was listening to the conversation told me, "Anna, the members are not coming to do the decors and they barely get involved." It was their fault they do not call them. They do not call me in too. I come on my own will and demand to get some chores. "You should demand them to be here. And that is not your work, I understand. I and Sally will help to do with the bottom decors. We will need cash to get the stuff." I said with no emotion and got straight to the point. "Okay, I will give you some. But then again the day is in three days. Can you both finish it before that?" Kate questioned. "Do not worry we will finish it on the day." I assured her with a bold voice. I know I do not talk with Kate but this was not personal anymore, it is more school matter.

I and Sally walked around five hundred meters and went to the shop that Kate told us. We checked and guessed how many paints and boards we want. We ordered them and waited till they get our items ready. "We will not be able to get these all on foot." Sally told me when the items were getting piled up. "Dear, did you come in a vehicle?" "No, sister. We will be hiring one." I and Sally went to the street and hired a taxi and got the things on to it and headed to school and the taxi driver was a very nice man and took a very small fare.

I gave the bills and told that we had to take a taxi and Kate said it was okay. I watched her and told "What happened to the treasurer?" Kate looked at me and excused, "It is because that she does not come to the meetings regularly and (president's name) appointed me in-charge." "Oh, Okay." Half of them were not comfortable with them. "I and Sally are going today. I will come tomorrow again and start with the décor."

I came home exhausted. I did not tell mother that I went to out of school. If they got to know I will be dead, same goes with Sally. We were very cautious to not get caught in anyone's eye. I searched for images and ideas and I found a silhouette and it will be easy to finish it quickly. I asked my mother to let me borrow the ipad for the day and she granted me permission.

The president texted me. 'Are you doing the presentation?' 'Yeah, Why? Send me the order of the things should be with wordings' I replied. She texted back, 'you do not do Jessica will do.' I was pissed off. I AM THE EDITOR! I HAVE TO DO! I did not assig just to wear the badge like them. I wanted to show what I am capable of and because I am able to do this job right. 'Whatever. You can do anything you want' I texted. 'Huh' followed with an 'Okay you can do. I will send the wordings. Jessica will do another video also.' 'Okay. I am fine with.' She also instructed me get help from other sub-editors. They were nowhere to be seen.

2018.06.04

I came in early and I could only wait for two hours because I had tuition in the later afternoon. I finished with my drawing and started to cut them out. I managed to cut out 3/4th of the picture and I had to go to the tuition. I told them and left.

I bought the celebration and video to show to the vice principals and the some of the members. And I saw my dear sub-editors. "Why are you not helping out? And you should be I this together." "Anna you know right, we do not get any space and they do as their wish. They do not even ask for any ideas. Because they can speak and write better English than us, they are getting the place" "Well I am asking you. Go and do. At least help me paint some of the decors. You will end up in trouble." I know that is hard to cooperate with them. But it is not an excuse to run away and let them do it.

2018.06.05

Amy had cut the rest of the 1/4th with the pressure from Kate to finish up the decors. I came early than anyone and bought my décor pieces from Kate's classroom to the auditorium. They had been busy. I regretted wearing my new uniform. I folded my sleeves and wore an apron to avoid me looking like a silhouette. I started with the painting. I had finished 1/3rd yesterday and told them not to touch it.

Kate came in a while. "Anna you told me that you will finish the décor. Others are half done." I can see Kate was panicking. She was talking care of the whole day. She was working so hard. She should not be. "Hey, hey. I promised and I am doing it." "Can you finish it by seven thirty?" "That is plenty of time. With time I got to know that others had not finished their decors and they were skipping them. I was grateful that I took this piece. Kate was busy with recreating a cave in front of the entrance with a lantern that was in the letter head. I finished and it turned out better than I thought. Even Mrs. Samantha's eyes brightened with acknowledgement.

Now comes the best part; My Welcome Presentation. It was epic! No I am not exaggerating. It was really good. I even had a doubt if I did this when it was playing. When my name popped, I was flushed with pride but it did not last for long. The principal's speech was next. You know what she said. She said that 'THE PRESIDENT' did all of this and she was the best. She worked so hard for this day. I was dumbfounded. Later she plainly added members. It was so unfair. We know how much she helped. I do know she did some but she got the full credit. It was not right. They should have told Kate's name even though I hate her. What about my presentation. I spent sleepless nights on it. The principal knew me, knew my mother. I know what they were playing at. And for the fact Jessica did not do any other presentation. They wanted to compete with my presentation but turns out they were too lazy.

I also wanted to be praised. Is it bad to ask for?