CHAPTER TEN

"And the winner is... Contestant 110216", Mrs Laurier screamed.

The students cheered loudly. Many felt it was Cadence who won again. Nevertheless, they really want to know who the winner is.

Back in the private room, Zendaya smiled happily when she heard the announcement. She made sure she put her best into the contest and she's glad she is the winner and not Cadence.

Cadence couldn't believe her ears. She removed the blind fold angrily,her eyesight was blurry,but she cared less and ran over to Zendaya. She removed Zendaya's blind fold and was shocked to see Zendaya.

"No!!",She screamed.

Cadence walked over to the lady who was in the same room with them.

"I'm sure there was a mistake. The principal meant 110214 and not 110216 right?", Cadence asked her.

"I'm afraid, 110216 is the winner. No mistake was made", The lady said bluntly .

"That's impossible, I'm sure you got someone to manipulate the results, you're a cheat!", Cadence yelled.

"Hey,I didn't add the results. The computer did", Zendaya replied.

"You got someone to hack the computer. Or, did you bribe the students?", Cadence asked with hatred.

"No,I didn't do anything".

"I won't accept this as a defeat. Your voice isn't as good as mine. You are a cheat and a liar!", Cadence yelled angrily with her tear gland almost releasing tears.

"Not everyone is a cheat like you. I AM THE WINNER. It is already in the school record. So deal with it Cadence Hayes", Zendaya said with a duchene smile.

"Contestant 110216, please come with me", The lady said.

"What a big loss for you", Zendaya said and left with the lady.

"Screw you", Cadence cursed.

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

{BACK IN THE THEATRE}

"It is time to reveal the identity of our winner", Mrs Laurier said.

The students cheered.

"And the winner is... Zendaya Caddel", Mrs Laurier said and the pleated red curtains opened widely, revealing Zendaya. The lights came on her immediately and there was a confetti.

Most of the students stopped clapping when they saw her. They were disappointed to see her as the winner.

"Wooh!", Maximilian jubilated. Only his voice could be heard in the whole theatre. He stood up happily and went to join Zendaya on stage.

"I consider this as cheating. Cadence is the winner and not this blackie", Blythe screamed.

Most students agreed with her.

"No one forced you to vote for her. You all voted for her because you liked her voice. So, your drama isn't necessary", Maximilian defended Zendaya.

"Here you are, always defending her. Get something better to do with your life", Blythe said.

"I should be the one telling you that. Cadence's Puppy", Maximilian mocked.

A man pushed a trolley,which had a crown and a bouquet of flower on stage.

Mrs Laurier took the crown and wore it on Zendaya's head. Then she took the bouquet of flowers and handed it over to Zendaya, and shaked her.

"Congratulations black rat", Mrs Laurier said with a duchene smile. The photographer took photos of Zendaya,Mrs Laurier, Maximilian and the Judges.

The Judges also congratulated Zendaya.

"Don't you dare crown her as the winner", Cadence yelled immediately she ran on stage.

"Oops!. Too late, she has been crowned already and it's in the school record now", Maximilian said and stuck out his tongue.

"Well,I think we should applaud the winner", Miss Paulina said and Cadence glared at her.

A faint clap was heard.

"See...no one is going to clap for you, cause they don't appreciate you. You're not qualified to be a winner", Cadence said with a mean tone.

"Maybe, you're qualified to be a loser. Take your bitterness somewhere else Cadence. At least be happy, some else won", Maximilian said angrily.

"And why should I be happy?", Cadence asked.

"Because she won. You've won this contest thrice,let someone else win. You're not going to win every time", Maximilian said.

"I am the only one meant to win and even if someone else wants to win, it's not this black monkey. A monkey should never be crowned king among humans",Cadence replied harshly.

"A dimwit and dumb person should also not be crowned among the intelligent ones. You're a dimwit", Maximilian said.

Cadence glared at Zendaya,who was watching the drama with sadness. Cadence proceeded to take the flowers from Zendaya forcefully. Zendaya pushed her away and she fell.

Leonideus stood up and joined them on stage. The students were excited with the drama as they have started recording. Leonideus interference would turn into a big fight.

"Oh!, the puppet is here", Maximilian mocked.

"Enough of all this drama!",Mrs Laurier yelled.

Everyone became silent.

"You all should scram with immediate effect", Mrs Laurier yelled.

Zendaya was the first person to leave, while Maximilian followed.

"Is it a sin to be black?", Zendaya asked and a tear dropped.

"Of course not. Do not take those words to heart. You're a unique being and they are being jealous. Black is beautiful", Maximilian said and pulled her into a warm embrace.

*************CADDEL'S RESIDENCE

Zendaya groaned as her tummy grumbled for the third time.

"I'm really hungry", She said and touched her tummy. She wore her flip flop and left the room. She met Megan in the living room reading a magazine.

"Welcome back,Mom", She greeted.

"I can't find Papa,where did he mention to you?", Megan asked.

"He went out for a walk", Zendaya replied.

"And you couldn't go with him. What if something bad happens?" Megan yelled.

"He insisted", Zendaya replied calmly.

Megan rolled her eyes and diverted her attention back to the magazine.

Zendaya ran into her room and came back within the twinkle of an eye.

"Mom,guess what?", Zendaya asked with a smile.

"Don't waste my time and say whatever you want to", Megan said coldly.

"I won the music contest. I was given a sum of $300,000 and a scholarship to any university", Zendaya broke the news to her and showed her the cheque.

"Did I send you to school to sing?. Why are you so bent on making yourself useless for education. I sent you to school to learn and not sing", Megan said coldly.

Zendaya bit her lower lip. Even if everyone else does not appreciate her win, her mother should at least appreciate it.

"Music is part of learning", Zendaya responded.

"Scram", Megan yelled at her.

Zendaya proceeded to leave.

"Wait", Megan stopped her. She stood up , walked closer to her and took the cheque from her.

"Thanks for the money. It would be enough for my needs, now take your leave", Megan said calmly and gave a duchene smile.

Zendaya shook her head and walked away.

"Wow!, $300,000. I'm a rich bit*ch", Megan said with a smirk.