When it was almost time, people from the backstage peeked at the audience. They can't help the nervousness and excitement bubbling inside them. All the seats in the opera house were occupied. They knew there would be a lot of people coming to watch, but they could not have imagined it would be this many. 

"There are so many people! I'm a little nervous…" One of the children said.

"What if I mess up? This is the first time I'm performing in front of a large audience." Another said.

"I'm actually excited! They came to see us!" A girl said positively.

"Yes! I hope we live up to their expectations. We shouldn't let them down for coming!" Eli said laughing.

The lively chatter got everyone's adrenaline pumping.

Emily being the one who led the project could not help but feel proud. Feeling like she should take the lead, she clapped her hand to gain everyone's attention.

"So, before everything, I want to thank everyone for today." Then she looked at her watch, "Now it's time. Let's go out there and break a leg!" she announced with a grin, and everyone cheered.

Edward arrived backstage seeing that situation. Not wanting to burst their bubble, he decided not to tell them that it was actually Charlton and Serena who people wanted to see. Anyway, perhaps he was just thinking too much about the words the man said.

--

At 2 in the afternoon, the program began. Emily went on the stage to give a short opening remark for the benefit concert.

"Good afternoon everyone, I am Ms. Emily Evans, and welcome to our event, 'Hope Rising: A Benefit concert for the Children' headed by yours truly and Lord Charlton Daniel representing our school, Windsor School of Nobles and it's student council." She began and everyone applauded.

"On behalf of everyone behind this project, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of you from the bottom of my heart for taking time off your busy schedules and choosing to come all the way here to support us. It is a great joy to see so many of you came to watch today's concert. As we all know, this event is aimed at helping children in the orphanage and all the contributions you made today will go directly to that cause. Truly, I believe, that the funds raised today will make a difference to their lives. Again, thank you and welcome to this benefit concert." Emily finished with a smile, and everyone cheered.

When Emily went backstage, the children and the facilitators thanked her while the others clapped their hands.

Gizel could not help but whisper to her friends, "hmpft! She's so proud of herself and her arrogance is emitting in waves. As if people actually came here because of her organizing the event. It was Charlton's name that made people come. What is she so proud of?"

Milly whispered back, "True that! Just seeing that arrogant smile on her face makes me want to tear her apart! I hate her!"

Serena just laughed, "It is true that this is her idea. She should be proud indeed. Anyway, although I hate her guts too, I still hope that everything would be successful as this event is for the children."

Via nodded her head in agreement.

--

"Good job here Charlton. As your cousin, I feel proud." Geoffrey said as he, Leonard, Charlton, and Kylo grouped together.

"Yes, Geoffrey is right. It's amazing how successful this event is. Instead of just raising 150 grand, I estimate that by the end of the day, after all additional costs have been deducted, you would have raised 350." Leonard added.

Charlton shook his head and just gave a forced smile. Although he should indeed be proud, he felt something strange about the numbers of people attending the event. Aside from that, he also could not pretend to be happy. Ever since he said those words to Serena, he felt that his life suddenly lost its meaning, and he's just going through everything day by day. He was miserable but he has no one to blame but himself.

"Hey Kylo, you have been awfully silent lately. I'm not used to it." Leonard commented when he saw Kylo staring blankly somewhere.

"I'm just nervous, you know how mediocre my guitar skill is." Kylo replied. Actually, he was just feeling down. He saw Via come to the backstage, but she didn't even say hi to him in return when their eyes met. It was like, he doesn't exist in her eyes.

Ever since Serena and Charlton broke up, aside from that one time in music class, Via has not been talking to him. He asked to escort her to the Spring ball, but she just ignored him. He never thought it was possible, but he thinks he's in love with a lady who acts like she's even manlier than him. In fact, when they stand side by side, he was only a bit taller than her, and when she wears heels, they were about the same height, or she was even half an inch taller.

If that will always be the case just because Charlton and Serena already broke up, he would rather they just get back together already. Anyway, he shook his head. He should not think that.

--

After Emily left the stage, the lights in the opera house were dimmed. Then, all the children along with Emily who was supposed to play the piano as their accompaniment went to take their position behind the curtains. For the first performance, they will be singing "above the bright blue sky" by Albert Midlane.

After a few seconds, the theater drapes and the red curtains slowly parted then the spotlight lit up the stage. Silence ensued for a few seconds. Then Emily pressed the first note of the song. Then the children started singing the lyrics of the song.

"There's a Friend for little children

Above the bright blue sky,

A friend who never changes,

Whose love will never die

Our earthly friends may fail us,

And change with changing years

This friend is always worthy

Of that dear name he bears…"

--

TBC

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