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Noelle's eyes widened at her teacher's words, and she belatedly found herself nodding.
Everyone was so nice to her that she had a hard time getting used to it.
"I will," she declared proudly.
And she would. She would take this chance and show everyone that she was worthy of being on such a big stage. She'd reworked her winning piece and Noelle thought she'd improved it, making it more emotional and immersive for an audience.
She chatted for a while with them and she couldn't help the warmth that enveloped her. She realized people didn't hate her—some actually appreciated her and her talent.
Suddenly, though, there was another knock at the door.
Everyone turned, eyes wide as they saw Ann Marie walk inside—the last person anyone would have expected.
She looked timid. Ann Marie wasnevertimid.
Noelle frowned as she saw her advance into the room.
"I came to wish Noelle good luck," she said in a soft voice. One that Noelle knew wasnotAnn Marie's default.
Just what was she playing at?
But the more she talked, the more everyone relaxed, seemingly buying her words.
"Ann Marie, it's so good to see you!" Miss Allison exclaimed, going to her and hugging her. "This is what I was talking about guys. Camaraderie. You must support each other in your journey," she continued with her speech.
Noelle, on her part, did not believe for one moment that it was a good thing that Ann Marie had come towish her luck. At least not after everything that had happened and what she'd just heard from the other performers.
Ann Marie was set to win the competition—probably had bribed some of the judges too.
And as she looked at her, all smiled and shy countenance, Noelle knew her appearance could mean nothing good.
"Go on. There are just a few more minutes before Noelle's performance is set to start. You can give her your gift in person," Miss Allison suggested.
It was at that point that Noelle noticed the nicely wrapped present Ann Marie was holding in her hands.
"For me?" Noelle blinked, taken aback by the turn of events.
"Of course, silly. It's such a great opportunity to be on the stage tonight. I wanted you to have this," she said as she tore at the packing to reveal a hair pin accompanied by a small white feather.
Noelle was so shocked by the fact that Ann Marie had brought her a gift that she was rooted to the spot, allowing the girl to march forward and place the pin in her hair.
"Why are you here?" Noelle whispered when Ann Marie was barely a breath away from her.
"Why do you think?" she asked in a blank voice. "I'm here to see the end," she replied ambiguously.
"I won't thank you for the pin. Not after you stole from me," Noelle gritted her teeth. Still, she kept her voice low, not wanting her teacher or her classmate to become aware of the conflict going on between the two of them.
"I didn't ask you, did I?" Ann Marie slowly smiled. Her lips stretched across her face, but the smile didn't reach her eyes. Like it was painted on her face, it was as fake as the rest of her.
Noelle frowned. No matter how much she tried to study Ann Marie, she couldn't read her. There was just this awful sensation as she looked at her—something akin to a thousand needles pricking at her skin.
"Why the hell are you here?" Noelle demanded, sick of her theatrics. "Because I know for sure you're not here to congratulate me. So what's your game?"
The first thought that went through Noelle's mind was that Ann Marie wanted to sabotage her performance.
Buthow?
Deep down she knew something was wrong, yet she couldn't pinpoint what.
