The enormous Christmas tree stood at the center of the school's auditorium. Bright lights glistened from the shiny ornaments placed around it. The college students moved hurriedly across the space, engaging themselves in different tasks as they prepared for the Christmas carol night. Some decorated the guest seats with red and green ribbons, while others laid the plush patterned carpets in their ideal positions. Few of them wrapped presents on the large center table as loud music blared from the speakers, entertaining them with the familiar tunes of "Hark The Herald Angel Sing." One could tell that the students were happy to be part of the team working to make the carol a success.
Linda sat on the bench at the far end of the auditorium, watching the space being transformed from simple to something magical. She admired the colorful lights that hung across the ceiling, giving the room a dazzling look. How ironic that the sight of this reminded her of her least favourite teacher, the one who preferred to dim her light with his awful words rather than uplift her. Mr. Greg was a thorn in the flesh. Yet, here she was, reminded of him anyway. Maybe it was his colorful style of dressing that matched the lights, she thought.
Her friend, Lucy entered the auditorium through the back exit and tapped her on the shoulder.
"Here, you are. I've been searching for you in the play garden."
"Why, what's happening there?" Linda asked with an impish smile on her lips.
Lucy returned the smile with an obvious smirk.
"I'm not buying that. You know it's time for our final song rehearsal and we need you, so please come with me," she pleaded.
Linda let out a heavy sigh. She had intentionally slipped into the auditorium to avoid attending the rehearsal that was already scheduled to begin in an hour. Her plan was to stay quiet in there until the decoration was done. That way, the choir team would have asked her co lead to stand in for her, and possibly vote him to lead the Christmas carol rendition. She, however, knew that Lucy would search endlessly until she found her. That was how much her presence meant to her. Still, Linda knew she needed to tell her dear friend the truth. There was no need to lie and disappoint the team when she could simply give them a notice. She held Lucy's hands in her palms and looked into her eyes.
"I don't think I can lead the song," she blurted out.
Lucy's eyes widened in bewilderment. She could not understand why her bestfriend who had been excited about singing at the carols all along, was suddenly filled with doubts. Surely, she must have had an encounter with someone. She just knew it.
"What's going on? Did anyone say anything to you? Please tell me," Lucy asked.
"Mr. Greg's words finally got to me yesterday, and I've decided to be part of the audience, not an entertainer," Linda replied.
"I don't think I'm good at anything. At least not as much as I thought," she added.
Lucy laughed out loud. She didn't think that was enough reason for Linda to back out. In fact, she thought Mr. Greg was the least qualified person to speak on anyone's talent. After all, he could not play the bass like the Biology teacher, and he failed woefully at the teachers' baseball tournament the previous year. Even if he were perfect, he had no right to discourage anyone, especially Linda, whose voice was the most beautiful she had ever heard.
Lucy withdrew her hands from Linda's palms and pulled her closer for a warm hug. After a few minutes, she lifted Linda's chin up and caressed her long, wavy hair.
"Sweetie, don't let anyone think they can speak poorly about you and succeed with it."
"But how do I do that?" Linda asked in a low tone.
"You do it by attempting everything they falsely say you're bad at. You invalidate their mean thoughts and demeaning spirit by showing up! Never shrink yourself."
"Umm... okay," Linda replied.
"Not to worry, you can start by coming with me for our final rehearsal and promise me you'll take the lead. You can have all my bon bons for the night too."
Linda nodded like a timid child, and they both smiled at each other.
"Wait, I want to show you something else," Lucy said aloud.
She dipped her hand into her bag and pulled out a small cluster of bells, an accessory she had bought for her beloved bestfriend. She held the top and swung it gently from the left side to the right, and the little bells jingled.
Linda's face lit up. She was fascinated! She had always loved those tiny Christmas gifts tucked into advent calendars, and this felt just like one! It reminded her of what Christmas meant, a season where dreams come true, a time where people could use their talents to send lights to the hearts of many. This was definitely her second cue to lead the choir on the carol night. She accepted the gift and gave her friend a tight hug, lifting the bells above her head to jingle once more as they laughed and made their way towards the play garden to begin their final rehearsals for what would become the most wonderful presentation the school had ever heard.
THANK YOU FOR READING MY SHORT STORY!馃
