CHAPTER NINE

Finally the great day everyone has been waiting for approached majestically. The school theater was filled with the students of Ace High. Three judges can be seen seated patiently beside the stage. The principal came on stage to give her speech. The stage lights came on and shone on her. She gave a warm smile.

"Students of Ace High School, Distinguished Teachers and Inestimable Panel of Judges. I welcome you all to the seventh season of Golden Voices. And as usual the contestants are to perform anonymously, inorder to prevent discrimination and partiality of the people. Actually,the contestants are blindfolded, so they can't see one another.

After each round,you all are to vote for the best vocal and the person with the highest vote will be crowned winner. Then the whole contestants, including the winner is going to be revealed to everyone.

In the past years, the winners were given an expense paid trip to any country of their choice. But this year is totally different. The winner will be given a sum of $300,000 and a scholarship to any university.

The contestants are waiting patiently in a secret room. We all can only hear their voices but we can't see them, until the end of this competition. There are Four stages. Good luck to all contestants" The principal spoke through the earhook microphone she was wearing and she left the stage.

The students gave a round of applause.

The stage lights went off.

"The first song to be performed is ONE CALL AWAY by Charlie Puth" One of the judges said.

" Contestant 110211" Another said.

The stage lights came up again,but this time around it was dimmed.

A melodious voice filled the whole room. The audience listened carefully to the melodious voice.

"Contestant 110212".

The other contestants sang when it was their turn and that was the end of the first stage.

The principal came on stage again.

"That was splendid. What's your opinion on this Mr Anthony?" The principal asked while facing the judges.

"Hmmm... it was nice. Though, I've not felt any emotion. This is the first stage, so there's room for improvement" Mr Anthony replied.

"I agree with you. It's time to vote. We have Twelve contestants and three must be dismissed. You all have a mini tablet Infront of you and it has a privacy screen protector. That is, no other person but you can see who you are voting for. You just have to click on the identification number of any contestant and vote. The bottom three will be evicted . You all have three minutes to vote and vote wisely", Mrs Laurier said.

The students began to vote immediately.

In the blink of an eye, the time was up. Mrs Laurier came on stage with a mini tablet in her hand.

"It's time to call out the results. One contestant will be evicted...",She paused.

Tension could be felt. The students concentrated greatly on the principal. Maximilian closed his eyes nervously, with the hope that Zendaya doesn't get evicted.

Mrs Laurier sighed.

"Contestant 110215 and Contestant 110211, are hereby evicted",She said. The students gave a round of applause.

******Few Moments Later*****

"Contestant 110213, Contestant 110212 and Contestant 110218,are hereby evicted".

"The next song to be performed for the third round is BECAUSE YOU LOVED ME by Celine Dion".

******Few Moments Later

"Contestant 110217 and contestant 110219, are hereby evicted", Mrs Laurier said and smiled lavishly.

"The past rounds has been tough but the final round is going to be tougher. Nine Contestants ,one winner. There are two Contestants left and only one will take the crown", She said and faced the judges.

"Judges, what do you have to say about past rounds and the final round?".

"Well, it's hard to choose someone who has the best vocal. There's a contestant who's voice has stolen my heart already,I really wish to mention the person's ID number but it's against the rules", Miss Paulina said.

"I've heard a lot of people sing, but I haven't heard a voice which is so euphonious like one of the final contestant. I really can't wait to see who that RARE GEM is...", Mr Seth said with a smile.

"I really wish to sing,but you know... sometimes,you don't have to show how talented you are. I also have a unique voice but I don't like show off", Mrs Falcon said jokingly.

"I thought you were the only one in this school who has a great voice,but I think I was wrong, cause all the contestants has a voice that's better than yours. Your voice is so horrible", Mr Anthony replied Mrs Falcon jokingly and winked at her.

The students burst into a quick laughter.

"I was the one who trained. You should have some respect for me at least",Mrs Falcon said with a frown.

"Mr Anthony is right though",Miss Paulina said.

"I'm not getting younger, I'm turning

Forty Seven in a few months, therefore,you do not expect my voice to be as good as it was, when I was younger. Moreover, the students make me scream my lungs out almost everyday and that's enough evidence", Mrs Falcon gave an excuse.

The students chuckled.

"Okay... let's get back into the competition. Contestants are to perform two songs for the final round. The songs are... SOMEONE LIKE YOU by Adele and LISTEN by Beyoncé".

********************

IN A PRIVATE ROOM

"Contestant 110216, you're next", A lady said.

Zendaya stood up and the lady handed the microphone to her. Zendaya inhaled nervously.

"This is the final song",The lady said.

"You can do this", She assured herself.

She brought the microphone close to her mouth and began to sing, until the lyrics ended.

The lady took the microphone from her and went to sit beside the other contestant.

"I don't know who you are,but you do have a good voice. Even though, your voice isn't as good as mine. I think you should give up, cause I've always been a winner. Everyone will surely vote for me", The other contestant said proudly with confidence.

Zendaya recognized the person's voice and smiled.

"Always bragging", Zendaya said inwardly.

"Gosh... I'm tired of this blind fold. I can't wait to be crowned as a winner", Cadence said with a bonny smile.

Back in the theatre, the voting poll has been closed.

"It's time to announce the winner. Can I have the GOLDEN ENVELOPE?", Mrs Laurier said politely.

A huge man dressed in a black suit came on stage with a GOLDEN ENVELOPE in his hands. He handed the envelope to Mrs Laurier and walked away.

"Can I get drumrolls please?", Mrs Laurier asked politely.

The Judges began to beat the table.

"And the winner of this year GOLDEN VOICES is...", Mrs Laurier paused and opened the envelope.

There was a grave silence in the theatre. Everyone became nervous and prayerful.

"And the winner is...