PRICELESS EXCHANGE

THE COMPETITION

I slept so peacefully all through the night till morning. The room was cozy and warm and I wish I could sleep all day. As I rolled peacefully in my bed cuddling a pillow in my arm, I felt water sprinkling on my face.

what!!! I screamed as I got up crazily from the bed. what the heck!!! Tonia yelled as she woke up too with water on her face. Andrew was standing before us with a bowl of water in his hands

y'all wanna sleep all day right? music classes is starting by 12pm plus we have a competition today and look at the time, it's almost 10am already!! he screamed

I looked at Tonia, how did we sleep up to 10am when we didn't even hear the sound of the alarm which was supposed to ring at 8am? I asked myself

you wanna act like a clown again.. I said wrapping myself with the blanket while Tonia hissed and laid on the bed again

no!! look at the time!! Andrew yelled

Andrew what sort of rubbish are you talking about!! I yelled and took Tonia's phone which was on top the drawer

No!! I exclaimed as I looked at the time. Tonia what did you do??!! I accused looking at her

what?? she asked getting up from the bed

you set the alarm wrongly we're gonna be late o my gosh!! I panicked

She rolled her eyes and slept again. I hit her with the pillow and she got up at once

I set the alarm personally at 8am what did you do? you changed the time!! I exclaimed

urggg.. she uttered in frustration and stood up from the bed

you guys had better get ready else you're gonna be late, we have a few things to work on before leaving Andrew added before walking out.

what are we gonna wear? Tonia asked walking to her wardrobe

oh no, I don't even have an idea, I have a blue dress in mind but molly and her friends have seen me wear it before,.they're gonna speak so censoriously of me.. I said as I unpacked my clothes

really? I've ran out of clothes already, seems like I need to visit the boutique anytime soon, she said

wow you're lucky you know, I said staring at her in admiration

what are you gonna wear? she asked

I don't know,.I replied sadly. She nodded with a smile and walked out.

Not long, she walked in exuberantly

go get ready girl.. we're going shopping, she said

what? shopping? I've never gone shopping all my life!! I exclaimed

really? she asked with surprise on her face and I nodded

where are you gonna get the money for the shopping? I asked

monthly allowances from dad, plus my little savings she replied

you guys are getting allowances? I asked and she nodded. I just couldn't help but admire their lives, the only money I receive are gifts from a family friend or a visitor, I don't know what it means to receive monthly allowances from my parents. Well, they're still the best in the world, though poor, they try at all times to give me the best of life. I miss them so much and I thought of sending them a mail cause I haven't heard from them ever since I left the county

is everything alright? Tonia asked

yeah..I'm thinking about sending a mail to my parents.. I said

oh they don't use a smartphone? she asked

no, a few people use a smartphone in mariossa, I replied

OK then, after the competition we'll deliver a message to them she said and I nodded.

After sometime, we got dressed for the shopping and Andrew took us to a boutique at the outskirt of the city. Tonia and I bought a lot of clothes and I was very much delighted to have so many clothes of my own.

I can't thank you guys enough.. I said as we got home

come on, go get dressed we're late for classes, Andrew said smiling

yeah we gotta go.. Tonia added

***

We got to school a little bit late for the class. Andrew waited at the field while Tonia and I went into class. Miss Gina was almost through with the class when we walked in. Tonia and I were dressed in a black jean and a white crop top and black sneakers to match. We wore light makeups on our faces and our hairs were styled beautifully. Everyone stared at us as we walked in. Molly and her friends were dressed in rugged bum jeans and crop tops with black boots. They wore heavy makeups on their faces and they were almost looking like a doll

I heard you guys are staging a competition with Molly today, Sara whispered to us as we took our seats

yeah.. after the class.. Tonia whispered back

you know? I asked looking at her in surprise

the whole school knows already, she replied and chuckled

what!! she's gonna bring the whole school together for a competition? I asked

what do you expect from Molly she like the sound of the crowd Sara replied

I don't think I can do this if she decides to bring in the whole school.. I said to Tonia

relax Sophie.. let's see what she is up to, Tonia said and I nodded

After classes, Molly got up and stood on top her desk as everyone were rushing to go out

relax guys, I have an announcement to make, I guess some of you would have heard it earlier, but there is a completion that is gonna hold at the school event center right away, I'm competing with a b***h who thinks she's better than me, I want everyone to be a witness of how I'm about to place her where she belongs and show her who really rock this school!! she announced and her fans cheered behind her while some of the students began to murmur.

Seems like she's pulling a crowd I whispered to Tonia

let's get out of here.. she whispered back and we both walked out of the class

we met Andrew at the field waiting for us.

hey.. guys I thought it was gonna be a small competition but seems like the whole school are coming to witness it, he said as soon as we walked up to him

yeah we guess so to, Tonia said and turned to look at me. My heart was skipping fast by now, I can't face a crowd, I hate the sounds of crowd I can't face it, I thought

Tonia, I'm scared.. I said

me too, Andrew added and my heart skipped again. what guys.. what are you talking about.. this is our only chance! Tonia exclaimed

yeah but what if we don't win, she owns the crowd and the fans and everything, we don't have anything.. I said

you have the voice Sophie and we have each other.. Tonia remarked and I felt like a sharp blade was running through me

Let's just give in to Molly cause there is no way we are gonna beat her to this one, I said

no Sophie you beat her once and you can do that twice, can't you see.. she's pulling the crowds cause she knows you can't stand the crowds. She's using your weaknesses against you! Tonia yelled

hey Tonia,Sophie's right, we can't beat it, I can't go in there cause there might be some bullies right there waiting to humiliate me in front of the crowds, I can't stand it.. Andrew said coldly

I can't believe you guys are saying this now, after all the efforts you just wanna pull away right now? Tonia asked angrily. We all kept silent looking at each other. I felt pity for Andrew, I shouldn't have brought him in, what if he gets bullied again, I reasoned.

what are you waiting for b***h!! everyone's waiting for you guys at the hall!! Cassy smirked from a distance and the other students behind her laughed

Andrew looked at me and walked closer to me,

let's do this, he said confidently

what? I asked in surprise

yeah.. let's show them what we are made of, that we ain't weak and that you guys ain't bitches.. he added while Tonia and I laughed

o my gosh I can't believe this!.. Tonia exclaimed

but. what if you get hurt by those bullies? I asked looking at him

I'll be fine, but I won't be fine if you get hurt by those girls.. he replied and Tonia gave him a surprise look

what? he asked. I mean I won't be fine if any of you get hurt OK? he added and we smiled. I gave him a hug and pecked his cheek

you're the best.. I remarked with a smile

whoa!!! I didn't see that.. Tonia exclaimed and we all laughed

come on let's show them what we've got!! I screamed as we moved towards the school hall

We've got only one life and one opportunity, we ain't gonna live like cowards who die a hundred times before their death!! Tonia added

Yeah!!!!... Come on let's make it happen!! Andrew screamed and we all ran into the hall excitedly.

wow.. I exclaimed as I got to the hall, everywhere was filled with students who were all dressed expensively. it must have taken Molly a lot to pull this crowd I thought. I saw Jeff and Zoe at a distance holding each other romantically and my heart sunk. Everyone made way for us as we walked to the front.

The bitches are here guys!! Molly retorted climbing the stage with a mic in her hand. Everyone turned to look at us and my feet began to tremble.

the nerd and his cowgirl? someone said from the crowd

Some laughed while others began to murmur.

guys this way, Tonia motioned to us and we moved to the corner of the stage with different eyes staring at us.

I'm really scared Tonia.. I said with fear

relax you'll be fine, she replied confidently

A boy walked to the stage with a mic in his hands and everyone cheered as he walked in

who's he? I asked

He's the school host and master of events, she replied and I nodded.

We are having a competition between two parties today, we have Molly's group and that of her quarterback Sophie aka the cowgirl from mariossa, he said sarcastically and everyone laughed. I felt a sharp pain in my heart and felt like strangling him at the moment. I turned to look at Andrew and he looked at me and smiled

well, after the competition, the winners would be announcement by the school music judges, he continued as he turned to the judges who were sitting majestically at a corner. They were final year students made of up two girls and a boy.

Now let the competition begin!! he motioned and everyone cheered.

Molly climbed up the stage with her friends. They had a band crew and I felt like a loser already. We have nothing other than Andrew and his laptop with a few musical instruments.

They say the best way to teach a b***h a lesson is to humiliate her in front of the crowd, Molly said with the mic and everyone cheered. She started her song and she began to sing so crazily and beautifully at the same time with her friends doing her backups. They were so good indeed, they danced and rocked on the stage and she seems to carry the whole crowd along and everyone cheered at her music. She sang for about thirty minutes before she stopped and everyone stood up to clap and cheer. She began to sweat profusely as she drank a bottle of water before taking the mic again

this isn't mariossa b***h, she said looking at me, this isn't where you can sing a lullaby and everyone will stand and clap at your dirty song!!! she remarked and everyone laughed.

Now beat this if you can, she added before walking off the stage. My heart jumped into my stomach and everything went numb. I saw the host walk into the stage and I looked at Tonia and Andrew. I wanna puke.. I muttered

what!! not now, hey stop being scared!! Tonia admonished. Andrew gave me a hand and I placed my palm on his. Just what I needed, I said to myself. Hey guys, we heard a voice behind us and turned to see Tony. Andrew sighed and turned away

what are you doing here? Tonia asked

wishing you all the best.. he replied

Let's welcome on stage Sophie and her crew.. the host announced and everyone turned to us

it's time, Tonia said exuberantly and I nodded with Andrew as we walked into stage

what is Andrew doing over there? some boys said behind us

don't look, keep your head straight.. I said to him and he nodded. As we walked on stage, everyone laughed

cowgirl and his nerd.. someone remarked and everyone laughed.

Andrew departed from us with his musical instruments while Tonia and I stood in front of everyone waiting for him to start the beat. Tonia took the mic from the host and winked at me before turning to the crowds

They say we are bitches and it's time to show them what a b***h can do!! she said

they say we stink and we come from a poor county, we ain't rich and we don't fit in their class but f**k you and your dirty class!! I screamed as I took the mic over from her. A few students cheered from the crowds probably all those who were like us too. I could see Molly and her friends sneering at us. I felt a new kind of vibe and then the beats came, followed by the sounds of the music that has been stirring in our hearts

Me: Trying to keep me down for so long

but I ain't going down down....

trying hard to kill my vibes but I keep getting stronger each day

Tonia: Bring it on bring it on, bring in all you've got...

shoot your arrows throw your stones..

but I'll catch them like a superhuman!!!

Chorus together: Cause I'm a superhuman...

fighting a lot of battles each day

cause I'm unstoppable....

And I don't need no wings to fly

I'm a superhuman, fighting without no weapons

cause I'm so incredible... I don't need no backups to fight...

Me: Trying hard to keep me silent, but I ain't keeping quiet

shove my head in the locker, shove me down the closet

but I ain't gonna stop breathing

Tonia: So bring it on bring it on, bring in all you've got

push me down push me round...

but I keep rising like a superhuman!!!...

( back to chorus)

I couldn't finish before the whole crowd joined in the song, some were shouting while others kept clapping. Immediately the song ended, they did a standing ovation for us and I couldn't believe it. Even the judges were on their feet too clapping for us

This song is dedicated to all students who are like us, who've been bullied and have been forced to keep silent, this is your chance to stand up for yourselves!!! this is your time to rise and fight like a superhuman!!! I screamed into the crowd and everyone cheered again. Some of the students began to climb up the stage to hug Tonia and I.

to your seats everyone the host announced and everyone went back. I turned to Molly and her friends who were sneering at us from a corner. I smirked and she fumed and turned away

That was amazing Sophie, you and your crew are so incredible, the rhythms, the beats and everything was so amazing too.. one of the judges remarked

Not to talk of the lyrics, it was so amazing and I felt like crying the second judge remarked

you guys are superhumans!! that's all I have to say, the third one chipped in and everyone cheered. I couldn't believe it, I'm performing live on stage? and the judges are giving me good remarks? oh no I must be dreaming, I said to myself. I turned to look at Andrew and he winked at me.

So it's time to pick the winners now over to you judges, the host said

Molly you pulled the competition and I must say you did amazing but you see, Sophia is incredibly amazing and I'll go for her.. the first judge remarked and i leaped for joy

you did very well Molly, but you see, sometimes music is not about pulling out crazy stunts and throwing truants at people, sometimes you need to give the crowd what they really need, something that could pull their emotions and make them feel loved, exactly what Sophia and her crew did, and so I'll go for Sophia.. the other judge added and everyone clapped. I pinched Tonia. She smiled and winked at me

Well, Molly I guess you pulled a good stunt out there and you swept everyone of us off our feet, but I didn't feel the passion in that song, all I could hear was b***h! b***h! b***h!.. the third judge remarked and everyone laughed

But Sophie and her crew on the other hand, they were so amazing and the lyrics of that song could hit you so hard that you might spend the rest part of your day thinking about your life, the rhythms and everything makes sense, that's what I need and I guess every student needs that too, I'll go for Sophia, the third judge added and everyone cheered again

I couldn't hide my joy as I leaped on Tonia with tears coming out from my eyes

So the winner is, Sophia.....!!!!! before the host could finish everyone screamed and rushed towards us on stage.

Sophie you made me feel amazing a girl remarked with tears in her eyes

really? wow thanks I replied hugging her

Molly and her friends couldn't stand the defeat they walked out angrily.

that was amazing girl, I heard someone say behind me, I turned and saw miss Gina smiling at me

wow.. ma'am you... came to watch the competition? I stammered

yeah just to see how my students are faring, you did well, she said and I nodded

After the hugs, the accolades,and the snapping of pictures, Tonia and I searched but couldn't find Andrew

where is he? I asked

I thought he was right there.. she said pointing to a spot.

Hey girls.. Tony said walking towards us

hi Tony I greeted while Tonia hissed

um.. you guys were amazing he remarked

yeah we get it now f**k off!!! Tonia yelled and I pinched her. But then Lucy walked by staring at us and before I knew it, Tonia pulled Tony closer to herself and plunged her lips into his with her eyes on Lucy whose cheeks were burning red by now

wow!!! I exclaimed excitedly

how about we meet tonight at Jeff's party? Tony asked and she acquiesced immediately.

you'll pay for this!! Lucy fumed and walked out

that was wow wow wow.. I said excitedly as we both walked out of the hall

hey I only did that because of Lucy, no strings attached.. she said

come off it girl, I saw the passion in your eyes when you kissed him, tell me are you really going out with him tonight? I asked

no.. I only agreed because of Lucy, she replied

come on.. stop being a jerk.. I slammed and she laughed

hey.. someone said behind us and we turned to see Jeff standing behind us . My heart began to melt slowly as I saw him

you did amazing in there, he remarked with a smile and I nodded sheepishly

um.. I'm throwing a party for all music students at my house today, I'll like you to be there, he said and I pinched myself, I felt like the world was evolving around me

oh.. ok, she'll be there, Tonia answered for me cause I was speechless. Jeff nodded and walked out

what was that? Tonia asked angrily

gosh.. I just fooled myself.. I don't know what he is doing to me, I said still watching him walk

really? he just asked you out.. Tonia said smiling

yes!!! I exclaimed. Come on Tonia we are going to that party together ok? you go for Tony while I go for Jeff!!

urgghh.. you're so incredible, she remarked while laughing. Just then Andrew walked in with a long face

where have you been? I asked feigning anger

at the lobby, he replied weakly

are you ok? Tonia asked

yeah I'm fine.. what was he discussing with you guys? he asked

oh Jeff, he just asked me out!!! I exclaimed excitedly

what! and you agreed to it? he frowned

yeah why not? I asked looking surprised

Her crush just asked her out, and you expect her to decline? Tonia asked and he kept mute

Tony asked me out to the party too, and so Sophie and I would be going together, she added

Tony!! you're getting back together with him! he thundered

what's wrong with you? it's just a party! Tonia slammed

fine, you guys do what you like, he said angrily and walked out

is he ok? I asked looking at Tonia. I've never seem him that way before, he should be happy we won, I said to myself

I don't know, come on we won! let's go celebrate! Tonia exclaimed and we both cheered and walked out.