Chapter 33: Sign Ups

"Okay class, bring out the Pokémon that you hatched from eggs before Winter Break." Teacher Suzie said.

May, Misty, and Ash are in their 3rd period class. Breeding class. Everyone brings out the Pokémon that they hatched from eggs.

"Come on out, Rapidash!" May/Daisy said as she tossed her Pokéball in the air.

The Unique Horn Pokémon materialized and neighed happily. The entire class turned to look at May's Rapidash. They were all awestruck by the Galarian Rapidash.

"Well then." Suzie said. "I'll be walking to each of you and seeing how well you've taken care of your Pokémon. You'll get a grade for this. Just stay in your seats as I walk around."

"Wow, you're the biggest Pokémon here." May said.

"And everyone is totally jealous!" Misty added.

May looked at Misty. "They are?"

"They sure are." Ash said. "I mean, you're the only one that got a Pokémon from the Galar region."

"And a really beautiful one too!" Misty added.

May smiled. "Thanks for the compliments. I'm really proud of how Rapidash has been doing."

"Excellent job." Teacher Suzie said once she stood next to May's desk. She looked at Rapidash. "You've done a phenomenal job with raising your Rapidash."

"Thank you." May said.

"She won't hurt me if I pet her, right?" Suzie asked.

"Not at all." May said.

Teacher Suzie pet Rapidash's back. "Her fur coat is in excellent condition." She said. She placed a bowl of Pokémon food in front of Rapidash. "Eat up."

Rapidash bent her neck down and started eating the Pokémon food. In a few minutes, she was done eating.

"Good appetite." Suzie said. She pet Rapidash on the side of the neck. "You and Daisy are perfect for each other." She looked at May. "Good work. You received a 100."

May beamed. "Thank you so much!"

"Okay class, I have some exciting news for you all." Teacher Summer said. "There's going to be an end-of-the-year talent show! You can sign up during lunch starting tomorrow. Practice a song to sing for everyone in the school and there's even prizes involved! You'll get a trophy if you're voted the best singer by the audience.

The class started murmuring to each other.

"There's going to be a talent show?" May questioned.

"Yeah! And a trophy too!" Dawn exclaimed. "Who doesn't like trophies? Am I right?"

"So that means you'll sing a song?" May/Daisy asked.

"You bet!" Dawn answered happily. "Even if I don't win, I could still get another good performance under my belt."

"And I might sing too." Misty said.

"Calm down everyone." Summer said. The class quieted. "The votes will be from the students, not from faculty. The talent show will be in the theater on the third Friday of May. I really hope all of you will consider singing a song for the talent show, but it's your choice."

The class started murmuring to each other again. Ms. Summer walked to her office.

"So Daisy, are you going to sing in the talent show?" Dawn questioned.

"Umm...I don't know." May said. "Should I?"

"For sure!" Dawn exclaimed.

"Yeah, you have a good chance of winning first place." Misty said.

"Well...I need to think about it." May said.

May's now in theater class with Drew.

"Hey Drew?" May said.

Drew looked at May/Daisy. "What is it?"

May looked at Drew. "You've heard of the talent show coming up, right?"

"Yeah…"

"Well, are you thinking of singing a song?" May asked.

"I don't think so." Drew answered.

"Why not?"

"Because."

"Give me a real answer."

"You don't give me real answers when I ask for them."

"Umm...right. Fine." May said.

Drew chuckled. "I'm just kidding, Azalea. The reason is just that I don't want to. I just hope to finally find the girl I've been looking for."

May nodded slightly in understanding. She then realized something. "Hey! I'm Daisy!" She yelled at him.

Drew chuckled and faced the stage. "So were you planning on singing in the talent show?"

"Umm...well...I don't know." May answered.

Drew glanced at May. "Your stage fright is gone though."

"I know…" May said. "It's just that...if I sing a song for the talent show, there really isn't that much time to prepare a song."

"You already know a lot of songs by heart. Just sing one of them."

"That's harder than you think." May said, eyebrows furrowed. "I want it to be perfect for a performance in front of everyone."

Drew held out a rose to Daisy. He looked in her eyes. "Whatever you sing, I'm sure it will be perfect."

May blushed and accepted the rose. "T-thanks…"

It's the next day during lunch. There's a table at the back of the cafeteria where people are signing up for the talent show.

"Should we go sign up?" Dawn asked.

"You girls could go. I'm not signing up." Gary said.

"None of the guys are." Ash said. "You girls go sign up."

"Okay then." Misty said.

"Daisy, are you coming with us?" Dawn asked.

"No. You guys go. I still want to think about it."

"Okay." Dawn said. Misty and Dawn left.

"What do you need to think about?" Ash asked. "You'll definitely win first place."

"Thanks…" May said. "But I just want to make sure I have a song ready before I sign up."

"So you'll do it then?" Drew asked.

May looked at Drew. "I guess so…I mean…all of you guys have confidence that I can win, so I should at least try."

"What song are you planning on singing?" Dahlia asked.

May is currently thinking while pacing back and forth. "Hmm…I got it!" She stopped suddenly.

"Got what?" Dahlia asked.

May started pacing back and forth again. "Should I do it now?"

"Do what?"

"I'm thinking…" May said. She stopped pacing and faced Dahlia. "Of taking off my wig."

"During the talent show?"

May slowly nodded. "I mean, I don't think I can go on for much longer keeping this secret. I hate lying to my friends like this. And to everyone. I think it's time."

"...well, okay then. Whatever you want to do. Is taking off your wig that important to you though?"

"Are you kidding me? It definitely is." May answered. She sat down on her bed. "I can't hide the real me. A Princess. Especially not to Drew. And I know the perfect song to sing."

It's now the month of May and the day of the talent show. May signed up for the talent show last minute after having some second thoughts. People are gathering in the theater and taking their seats. The gang takes their seats more towards the back of the theater, but not the very back. Drew is sitting at the end seat and May is sitting next to him (This information will be important next chapter). Soon, the entire theater was filled with students and faculty.

"There sure are a lot of people." May said.

"Of course there are." Drew said. "Everyone loves hearing a good singer."

"Yeah…"

"Speaking of...did you sign up?" Drew asked.

"Uhh...why would I sign up?"

"Because you said you were going to." Drew answered.

"Right...I guess there's no hiding that. Yes, I signed up."

"What song will you sing?"

"That, you'll have to wait and find out." May said.

"Very well then. Whatever it is, you'll be great."

"Thanks."

The hostess started the talent show. People went up one after the other. Some people were pretty good singers. Some others...not so much. May was the last one to sign up, so it'd be awhile before she goes up and sings her song. Minutes passed. It would almost be time for her to sing.