As the no. 1 in the academic aspect, Jack is expected to be no. 1 in everything that he does. His grades are line of 9 in all his subjects and every girl in the campus wants to date him, the President of the Debate Club.
On the other hand, Jill, the legendary pianist, is following on Jack’s academic footsteps. They were always at the top, Jill, being a pianist who has competitions here and there, was always second to Jack. If Jack was loved and admired, Jill was popular but feared by many because of her short temper and flying slapping hands.
The graduation ceremony is only a few days away and everybody is busy. Jack is occupied by love notes and flowers from ladies of the lower years while Jill was practicing her piece for the graduation day.
They were summoned in the Principal’s office, only two days before the big day. “Jill will be the one to give the Exemplary Speech on graduation day,” Mrs. Jacaban said. Furious and shocked, Jack leaped out from his chair. “But madam President,” he exclaimed. “Isn’t the Exemplary Speech for the Valedictorian?” he continued. Jill, as shocked as Jack, was silent in her seat. “Yes,” said the Principal, and nodded at Jill.
“But that is impossible, ma’am,” Jill said softly. “I am only second to Jack, as always. I tracked my record for the last four years and never have I once been ahead of him.” She said.
“Exactly!” exclaimed Jack.
The Principal’s Office was in total silence until there was a knock on the door. “Are you busy, madam Principal?” a male’s voice was heard outside the door. “Wait a minute,” the principal called. “Jill will deliver a speech and present her piano piece and that is final. I will not hear another word about this, Jack.” She said to the two confused students in front of her. Jack lowered his head to a nod and Jill just stared blankly at her.
I am not ready for a speech. What should I do? Jill thought. She was never good with speeches let alone talking in front. She was excellent in writing but never in speaking, especially in front of many people. She walked out of the office with a confused head, still thinking of how she should do an Exemplary Speech. She cannot also tell a soul about it because she was shy and she did not know how to tell them about it.
Jack stepped out of the office with a raging heart. He cannot believe what just transpired in the small office of the cruel Mrs. Jacaban. If he did not pay too much attention to Jill before, he looked and often stared at Jill now, thinking how dare she steal his spotlight. He told his buddies about the news and they were all furious at the same time curious about little miss Jill.
The two top students went home filled with confusion. Neither wanted to talk about it with their parents, the other thinking it would be a shame if he announced that he will not be able to deliver a speech; and the other uncertain of how to say that she has a big responsibility on the school’s big day.
Only one day left before the appointed day and both were still as confused as they went home yesterday. The graduation ball is tonight, where all the students who will graduate will wear their best in gowns and suits for the ball. Jack was prepared to humiliate Jill in revenge for her stealing his spotlight; while Jill was just concerned about her speech draft as it might disappoint the principal and the whole school.
Students flocked the gymnasium of Reveren High at six in the evening. The ladies were wearing their shining shimmering gowns and heels while the lads wore their expensive black ties and shining loafers. Jack arrived just in time. He was searching the crowd for a sign of Jill, whom he knows will appear as normal and ordinary as she always seemed to him. He rehearsed his ranting words to Jill, over and over last night, and that he will not miss a chance for that. His friends offered him a glass of juice mixed with a bottle of punch and told him to wait patiently for Jill the thief will soon pop out from the crowd with less glimmer on her. They laughed about it as they teased her more within their circle.
An hour later, Jill arrived in a long, sparkling midnight blue gown, with a few midnight blue roses patched and scattered on her dress. Her hair was tied in a bun and a midnight blue rose hang on the left side of her bun. Her heels were two inches long and they were also blue, to pair with her dress. She sneaked inside, just in time for the Dance on the Floor part of the program. She seated at one corner where a post is covering her from the crowd. Whew, I just hope this night will end fast, she thought.
She went to the bathroom from time to time, her nervousness for tomorrow’s speech came about her every now and then. At last, Jack spotted her as she was returning to her table. She sat comfortably and was about to sip her drink when Jack jumped to sit beside her. Startled, Jill spilled a few drops of juice on the table, and thanked God it was not on her dress. She calmed herself and faced Jack immediately.
“What is your problem?!” she said, almost shouting. Jack laughed and was silent for a moment. He stared at Jill, stunned by the beauty in front of her. His eyebrow raised and all his anger vanished. Jill slapped him lightly. She was not ready for any distraction, let alone be bullied by Jack. “What was that for?” he asked. “It is not right to just surprise me like that when I am about to drink.” She exclaimed as firmly as she could. Jack was lost in his own thoughts and did not hear her. He was just looking at her, and all he could think about is ‘what am I to do now?’
Jill was about to slap him again when he caught her wrist. “Not a second chance, missy…” he whispered. Jill, furious, wanted to go away from his grip but it was too tight.
The music changed from rock to a classical Beethoven, a cue for the students to change their upbeat dance to something slow and romantic. Jack grabbed her to the center floor and lead her to dance. “What is wrong with you?” she asked angrily while following his lead. “Nothing,” he said with a smile. “It’s just that I never noticed how influential your eyes are until now.” He continued. Jill lowered her head and was about to cry. “I am sorry Jack,” she said softly. “I did not mean to steal your spotlight…” she continued. He looked at her with a question on his face. “I really do not like to deliver a speech. I am not fit for that, you are the one who is supposed to give a speech, Jack. I am a nobody.” Jack smirked and laughed a little. “We could tell Mrs. Jacaban that I was not prepared and that you should be the one to stand there, not me.” She said with a rush as the music played loudly and their dance became more passionate.
Jack held her chin up to look at him and their eyes locked for a moment. Jill looked away, her cheeks flushed and Jack still staring at her. He put her right hand on his chest. “Can you hear that?” he whispered. Jill could not look at him in the eye. “That is me, saying that nothing matters more than this magical moment…” he continued.
“Please stop it,” she said, teary-eyed.
“You will deliver that speech tomorrow, and I believe you can do it better than me. For now, I will just enjoy looking at you and nothing else would matter.” He said caressingly into her ears.
“But Jack…the whole school is expecting you to deliver that speech…”
“Hush now…” he said. He put his hand over her head and pulled her to rest on his chest. “Everything will be alright now…” he closed his eyes as they danced the night away.
