It was two weeks later. They had made it to the finals to Melissa's utmost bewilderment. Everyone loved them at the talent show and it was as if they would emerge winners. Just after their victory was confirmed in the semi-finals, Melissa went to meet them.
"I just hope you survive the final". She said with a harsh tone.
"Come on, everyone likes us". Cody said, shoving her irrational comment off.
"Your fame will soon wither away. Trust me guys, trust me".
"You've got to be kidding me, you know. You are just being jealous and seriously, it's going to do you no good". Casey added.
She laughed at them.
"You guys think you have talent, isn't it? I didn't partake in the contest because all finalists including you both are no match for me". She said with pride.
"Do you think we are no match for you or you are you are scared of losing?" Casey said, folding his arms.
"I don't compete with people way below my status."
"Just eat up your pride. It's killing you". Casey added.
"Let's just get out of here". Cody said and they walked out on her.
"You fools don't think you know what I am going to do. If the worst comes to the worst, I'm sorry I will have to sabotage everything completely. You both are fools". She said and walked towards her friends.
. . .
The day everyone was anticipating had finally came. It was the final of the Mill High School Talent Competition. The school arena was filled with crowd of people. The CM Stars (Casey 'Manuel and Cody Morris will be facing the Hemi-Gods (Carl, Harry and Jeff) in the power tussle for the 'Talent 2023 title. The Hemi-Gods were dancers unlike the CM Stars.
The first round came and went. The audience applauded them equally. The second round was more like the first. Both teams were tied at the same point. They were given a short break.
At the backstage, Casey was pacing up and down.
"Calm down bro, let's think of this together."
"Can you roll the ball thrice and give it a scissor kick. You were able to bring that into perfection in the rehearsals."
"Let's do this bro". Cody said and they did their signature handshake.
They were called back to the stage. Carl and his friends did theirs perfectly. Casey was frightened. They needed perfection to be crowned as champions.
"Cody, have you got this?" Casey asked.
"Yes. I'm sure". He said.
Casey walked up to the presenter and took the microphone.
"Thanks everyone. Our next performance is a triple roll and a scissors kick. He's going to juggle the ball within his feet thrice, push it into the air and kick it. Let me explain this more". He said and paused to ensure he had everyone's attention.
"He goes at 5m/s and then uses the pull and push force to take it up. He defies gravity for about five seconds to use the scissor s kick and get a wood work into that goalpost over there". He explained.
Cody stepped forward with the ball. He exhaled. He did the triple roll but just as he was about to do the scissors kick, he slipped and fell.
Murmurs came from the crowd. Casey rushed to him.
"Cody, are you okay?"
"Yes but my right arm just got broken and I don't think I can move." He said, groaning in pains.
Cody was taken to the school infirmary. He was injured and there was possibly no way he could forge ahead even if they were given another chance. The Hemi-Gods were announced as winners. The injury was the end of the journey for the CM Stars as far as the competition was concerned and the Hemi-Gods walked away with the trophy and the huge prize money.
The awarding of prizes signified the opening of Music Fest '23. Melissa was to sing the opening performance and she did so cheerfully and without hesitation.