| It was just another day for Xandia. The little green Kacheek
gazed down at the advertisement for an upcoming talent show. All of her friends
had received one too and together, they were going to audition for it. Xandia
was excited but nervous at the same time. What if the judges just pushed her away
again like they had done before?
Xandia had entered in shows before; not just
talent shows, but musicals, plays, and all sorts of things. However, she had
never actually played in them before. Apparently she just wasn’t good enough.
“You need to practice more” they would tell her. Oh, she did that alright. Every
single day she practiced. She worked so hard at it but nothing ever changed.
The judges of the shows still wouldn’t accept her. That would change though.
This time she would be accepted for the upcoming talent show.
Xandia rushed up the stairs to her bedroom, the
advertisement held firmly in her paw. She grabbed the notebook that was gathering
dust from her chester drawers and a pen and started to jot down her talents,
her hidden talents as she called them.
“Hmm,” she thought aloud. “My talents…” She sucked
the top of the pen like she always did when she was thinking about something.
“I can sing. Well at least I think I can. I can draw. What good will that do
in a talent show though? I would bore everyone to death.”
She continued to think and at last had managed
to write down five talents that would be suitable for a talent show. Singing,
dancing, reading one of her best poems, acting and telling a few jokes. Nothing
much but it was about all she was good at. After pouring over the five she managed
to whittle it down to three talents, then two and finally, was left with one.
She would sing. She thought she was brilliant at it and if she practiced from
now until three days time when the auditions took place, she would have a chance
at being entered.
She started to practice as soon as she could.
First of all, she would write her own lyrics to a song. She figured that the
judges would approve of this more than singing a well known song. It told them
that she could be creative as well as just sing, she thought.
Words ran through her mind; lovely meaningful
words, moving words, ones that would captivate the hearts of those listening
to Xandia’s song. It was about family. Family to Xandia was the most important
thing in life. Without family she would get nowhere. Her family were the ones
that told her to push that little bit harder and they made her feel happy. They
gave her the strength to carry on if she didn’t succeed the first time and she
wanted others to share her feelings. This song would win, she knew it would.
It took her hours but, as she read through the
lyrics, was happy with the final result. Now all she had to do was put a tune
to those words sitting neatly on the paper and practice it; and she’d practice
until she knew she couldn’t try any harder.
It was already nearing nightfall. Xandia had
made a wonderful little tune, one which she felt was as heart-warming and touching
as the lyrics themselves, and had been practicing all day.
“Xandia,” shouted a voice from downstairs, “your
dinner is ready now.”
It was her owner, Harriet, a bright young girl
with black, sleek hair down to her waist and olive coloured skin. She was only
16 but she felt like a mother to Xandia. She cared for her, made sure she was
well fed and made her feel special in every way possible.
“You have an astounding voice Xandia,” she said
as they ate at the kitchen table. “You’re definitely in with a chance at the
talent show. You’re good now but practice even more and you’ll be even better!”
she smiled and it made Xandia feel so special and wanted. Harriet gave Xandia
the confidence that the little Kacheek knew she wouldn’t find by herself.
Two days had passed and every hour of those two
days Xandia had practiced her song. She was now so pleased with her own performance
that she was sure she would please the judges and be able to enter the talent
show, maybe even win the talent show. The auditions would start in an hour’s
time and Xandia was looking at herself in the mirror, her fur comb held in one
paw.
“Magnificent,” she said to herself. “My fur is
glistening. I look lovely! I’ll show everyone just how good I am.”
Xandia met her friends outside the hall where
the auditions were taking place. There was Bella, a cloud Aisha, who was going
to sing and dance, Seria, the Maraquan Draik who was going to show off her wonderful
aquatic dance moves and Renao, the yellow Shoyru who was going to show the judges
just how fast she could fly around the hall.
“So then, Xandia,” said Seria. “What are you
going to do?”
“I’ve written my own song and I’m going to sing
it,” she replied confidently.
“Cool! Well, I hope that we all get entered
for the talent show.” Seria sighed. “I’ll bet you a pencil that Cornelia will
get entered. I can remember last year at that song contest when she won. She
wouldn’t stop talking about it for at least a month afterwards.”
Cornelia was a Faerie Usul with an extremely
high attitude of herself. She and Xandia had crossed each other too many times
in Xandia’s opinion, and every time they did Cornelia would throw some insult
her way. Only a few weeks ago had the stuck up Usul called her fur shabby.
“Wouldn’t you just love to have fur as beautiful
as mine?” Xandia could remember her saying as she walked passed her with her
nose in the air.
Xandia became unaware that she was clenching
her fists and was digging her nails into her palms. It was only when the stinging
spread through her palms when she realised and unclenched them again.
“I was hoping Cornelia wouldn’t be here,” spat
Xandia angrily.
“You must be joking, right?” replied Bella. “This
is a talent show; Cornelia wouldn’t miss this for the world. Anyway, we’d better
be going inside. The auditions should be starting any minute.”
The four friends entered through the large double
doors into a big hall. Empty seats surrounded them and each row lifted higher
and higher the farther back they went so that the top rows were nearly ceiling
height. Four judges, a Grarrl, a petite Aisha, a Blumaroo and a Lenny were sat
on four seats at the very back of the stadium. A queue of Neopets, all shapes
and sizes were waiting eagerly at the left of the hall. Cornelia was at the
front. Xandia had visions of her pushing her way past the others.
They got into the queue and before long about
two dozen more Neopets took their places in the queue behind them. Xandia was
overwhelmed by how many Neopets had turned up and for a moment didn’t think
she had a chance at all.
No, she thought. I’m not going to give
up now. I’ll do this.
“Cornelia,” boomed the Grarrl. “Please step this
way.” He motioned to the centre of the hall with a large swish of his gigantic
paw. Cornelia walked confidently to the designated area and curtseyed before
the judges.
“I have a lot of talents,” she said in a humble
but unmistakable snobby tone, “but the one I will be showing for the world to
see is my ability to sing.”
“Great,” muttered Xandia. “She would pick the
same one as me.”
When Cornelia had finished the judges lifted
white cards with numbers on them to show the final score. The Grarrl lifted
his up. It showed 100. The Aisha lifted hers up which also showed 100. And then
it came the turn of the remaining too. Both gave the same score. 100.
She grinned at the stunned queue before turning
towards the empty seats at the right of the hall where the lucky ten to enter
in the talent show would be picked. She caught Xandia’s eye and mouthed “Prepare
to lose” to her.
“I’ll show her,” Xandia whispered to herself.
Slowly the length of the queue died down and
there were only a few more Neopets in front of her. Her stomach was beginning
to churn as the nerves started to kick in. She looked towards the gathering
of Neopets who had finished and had sat down in their seats. A young Lupe sat
with his head in his arms and a few others seemed to be offering him words of
comfort. He had told a few jokes, none of which got a single snicker from either
the contestants or the judges. The judges had only given him a total of 35 points
between them. Xandia shuddered. She hoped she didn’t do as bad as he did.
“Xandia,” called the Grarrl.
This was it. This was the moment she had been
eagerly awaiting, the moment where she would find out if she had succeeded or
failed. She puffed out her chest bravely and began to breathe in and then out.
In and out. In and out. Her owner had advised her to do this whenever she was
nervous. It seemed to be having a desired effect. Xandia could already feel
the muscles, tense from nervous strain, easing.
She confidently walked into the centre of the
hall and stood in front of the Grarrl. It looked so different standing before
them and the Grarrl looked even fiercer than before. He began to eye her, reasons
unknown to Xandia, and then he gave her the signs that she could start.
Xandia started well; she could tell by the looks
of astonishment on the judges faces. She continued to do well throughout and
made sure not to lose any of her emotion towards the end. She knew that a lot
of famous singers, even those who were credited as having the most wonderful
voices in Neopia often lost the emotion in their voice towards the end.
Everyone clapped, all except Cornelia, but Xandia
expected that. She felt so proud and knew that she had done her very best. Would
the judges think that? The Grarrl lifted the white piece of cardboard into the
air. It read 97. The Aisha lifted hers up. 100. Xandia felt a spark shoot up
her spine and through every inch of her body. 100 was the very best. The hall
erupted into cheers as the other two judges held up their score boards to show
that they too fully enjoyed Xandia’s performance. She had a total of 397 points
and that was definitely something to be proud of.
By now, every Neopet had auditioned and were
eagerly awaiting the final results. The four judges had been pouring over a
sheet of paper and were huddled together whispering. Xandia would often see
the nod or the shake of a head and, even though it was quite off putting, she
still had high hopes.
The judges came over and the group of Neopets
started to fidget in their seats. Together they each read the names of the ten
contestants who had been chosen to be entered in the talent show. Cornelia was
the first one to be read off the list and then, to Xandia’s amazement, her name
was next. Unfortunately her other friends didn’t qualify, but they didn’t mind.
As long as Xandia was in it that was all that mattered. They would all root
for her in a week’s time when the show would be held.
The week passed quickly and on the day of the
talent show Xandia was peering out of the bedroom window admiring the sun in
all its glory. It was a deep orange and the sky was light blue with a tint of
a haze. It was going to be a fine day. She thought of Cornelia and expected
to feel a surge of jealousy course through her body but there was no such emotion.
Instead she didn’t care at Cornelia at all. Xandia was just as good as her,
maybe even better.
She combed her fur so that it shimmered just
like the morning before the auditions and held the piece of paper firmly in
her hands. She knew the words off by heart but she felt safer practicing them
just once more. When she felt confident enough she placed the paper into her
top drawer and headed downstairs where her owner and sisters were waiting for
her.
“Are you ready?” asked her owner.
“Yep!” Xandia replied confidently.
They reached the hall early but even at this
time there were hundreds of Neopians standing outside talking to one another.
Xandia didn’t want to know how many were actually inside.
In the corner Xandia could see Cornelia with
a bunch of friends. They were all sparkling as if they had applied some sort
of cosmetic to their fur and wore make up as if they were queens. And Cornelia
looked the grandest. Dressed in a red glittery dress, diamond ear rings dangling
graciously from her ears, she looked like a famous singer, not a stuck up Usul
in a talent show. And then Xandia knew. Looking at her, she realised that Cornelia
wasn’t only a stuck up Usul; she was Xandia’s rival. She had to win now; she
had to teach that Usul a lesson; that vanity and snobbery will get you nowhere.
Xandia stepped into the hall and was immediately
overcome with shock. Tens and thousands of Neopians were surrounding a huge
stage that had been decorated with glittery paper decorations and the four seats
where the judges sat were at the front. They were empty. Behind the stage sat
the contestants. There were only six actually seated and the judges were talking
to them, probably offering them words of support.
Xandia said goodbye to her family as they made
their way to their places and Xandia walked over to the rest of the contestants
to her seat.
“Hello Xandia,” said one of the judges in a welcoming
voice. “Pretty frightening isn’t with all these people who have come to watch.”
“I guess so,” replied Xandia trying to keep calm.
“Don’t worry though. Remember, they’re all here
to see how good you are so just try and relax and do your best.”
“Thanks.”
She sat in her seat as Cornelia strutted up the
hall to hers.
“Shut up!” she yelled a few seconds later to
the female Aisha judge. “I don’t need you telling me how good I am! I already
KNOW I’m good! I’m the BEST actually!”
The Aisha stuttered her apologies but Xandia
could tell by the look of anger upon her face seconds later that her hasty apologies
were only through shock.
“What are you looking at?” Cornelia snapped at
Xandia. “Jealous?”
“Of you? Nah,” she replied coolly.
Cornelia fell silent.
The talent show had started and was now nearing
the sixth contestant. None of the judges had given the last five brilliant scores
and it took the edge off Xandia’s nervousness and filled her with more confidence.
The sixth contestant had finished and, when the
applause had gradually died down, her name was called. Her heart felt like it
had entered her mouth and every part of her body pulsated. She got up and made
her way to the stage but everything around her seemed fake like she was in a
dream and would wake up at any second.
She heard shouts; familiar shouts. She looked
up at the crowd and could see Harriet and her sisters cheering for her.
“You can do it!” Harriet shouted. “Do it for
all of us!”
Xandia grinned and her heart felt lighter and
warmer. Her legs felt stronger and stopped shaking. She didn’t feel nervous
anymore and felt that she could do anything now.
She walked onto the stage, her head held up high
and the grin not fading. And then she sang. It was beautiful, more beautiful
than before and her voice had so much emotion in it, so much beauty, that the
crowd watched in awe as well as the judges. She did not falter, not once and
when she had finished the whole audience erupted into cheers and applause.
The Grarrl lifted the score card up. It read
90. Then the Aisha. She had given Xandia 100 points as well as the other two
judges and this time the audience erupted into even more cheers. She looked
up at Harriet and her sisters. Harriet had tears of happiness rolling down her
dark cheeks and her chocolate eyes were shiny. She was smiling.
Cornelia was next. As expected the Usul did not
falter once and was extremely confident with herself. The crowd seemed to erupt
into a bigger applause for the Usul’s performance but Xandia guessed it was
probably just her imagination. Xandia was dreading what was so come next. Cornelia
was sure to get top points.
The Grarrl had given her a hundred. Now it was
the Aisha’s turn. She held up her card. The crowd gasped with shock and Xandia
could hear the Usul’s friends shouting abuse at the poor Aisha. She had given
Cornelia no points and then Xandia knew why. As it turned out, the two other
judges had also given her low points. They knew the snobby little Usul for what
she really was.
Cornelia erupted into fits of rage and stormed
up to the Aisha.
“You gave me no points! What is the meaning of
this? I am the BEST! How DARE you give me no points? I’ll get you for this!
And don’t think you two are going to get away with only giving me such low points
either!” she yelled pointing aggressively at the two other judges.
The Aisha jumped to her feet and stood face to
face with Cornelia. Her expression was a stern one.
“Unlike you, I’m not going to raise my voice.
I’m going to say this once and once only. I didn’t give you any points because
of your attitude. Shouting at people and thinking you are the best will get
you nowhere. You have no one to blame for this but yourself. Now get out of
this hall and stay out.”
The Aisha slowly backed away and sat down in
her seat. Cornelia stood there, her face numb. And then, throwing a dirty glance
at Xandia, she turned on her heel and left muttering words like “I’ll get you!”
and “How dare they?” under her breath. Xandia could only sigh in relief and
she couldn’t wipe the huge smile that began to creep onto her face.
The last contestant had performed and at last
it was the moment everyone had been waiting for. The judges explained what was
going to happen to the audience. The winner would be called out first to collect
their gold trophy from the Grarrl. Then the runner-up would be called up to
collect their silver trophy and finally the third place winner would collect
their bronze trophy.
The judges stood before the contestants for what
seemed like hours. The tension was so high you could practically cut it with
a knife. Xandia dared not move her head. She looked straight at the judges and
at the piece of paper that the petite Aisha was holding in her paws. From the
corner of her eye, Xandia could see that everyone else was still and she could
hear no sounds. It was like time had stopped. Her heart was beating so much
it hurt and the throbbing could be felt in her head. She could taste iron in
her mouth. It was as if she had been sucking on a Neopoint coin. And she sat,
like the others, waiting…
“And the winner of the talent contest is… Xandia!”
shouted the Aisha joyously. “Come on up, Xandia, to claim your prize!”
Xandia couldn’t believe it. She had won! After
all her hard work and devotion it finally paid off. If she thought the audiences
applauds and cheers were loud when she had sung it was nothing compared to what
they were like now. Arms were flailing upwards, screams were echoing throughout
the hall, people were whistling and clapping and all for one little Kacheek,
one who didn’t let vanity get in the way of achieving what she wanted, one that
thought she wouldn’t she would never get noticed and one with the voice of an
angel. With the devotion and hard work, she had done it.
The End | 
