The British Princess

Part 35

The rest of the speeches went rather smoothly.

Apart from James. He totally came unprepared. While when Tate spoke he was nervous, at least he knew what he was speaking about. James could hardly tell us the name of his charity let alone what it was about. It was clear he had put not effort into preparing for this, even though I had made it clear how important this task was.

There were several charities chosen about mental health or different research funds, Oliver even did an organisation fighting for the environment.

Mason spoke about the British Wheelchair Basketball, which I'll hand it to him was quite an interesting speech. He unfortunately spoke very well, which I wasn't very happy about since I wanted a good reason to get rid of him.

Finally, after a long time filming all the speeches and giving a brief wrap up, we were free to go. As soon as the camera's live sign flickered off I hurled myself from my seat towards the selected stands.

While the majority of selected boys stood to file out of the recording studio, the one I was looking for sat slumped in his seat.

Tate looked so crushed, tears threatening to spill from his eyes that I could tell he had been holding in.

"Tate, hey, come here."

I pulled him up and into a hug, not particularly caring if everyone in the crowded room saw.

"I'm sorry C. I messed up the whole thing." He says, his tone defeated and sad.

"It's ok. Tate you did fine." I reassure him and he just has this miserable look on his face, clearly dejected by how it all turned out.

"No. I ruined everyone. I thought...I thought maybe I could do it, but I was wrong."

His shaky voice made me so upset for him, "You did do it. You spoke fine by the end. Don't worry."

"But doesn't it mean that now you have to send me home?" Tate asks as he pulls out of the hug and looks at me shamefully.

"What? No. Of course not. Where did you hear that?"

Tate runs a hand through his hair, sniffing sadly, "Well you kept saying how important it was, and there hasn't been an elimination in a while, and now everyone has just seen I'm clearly not cut out for this."

"Tate, take a moment to breath. I'm not kicking you out, and neither is anyone else. You did fine and I am so proud of you."

His breath caught and he met my eye, "You're what?"

It was if he didn't believe what I had said.

"I'm proud of you T."

Through his sadness he managed a smile and pulled me in for another hug.

I whispered into his shoulder in his tight embrace, "You did so well to stand up there and speak. I know it must have been hard for you, but I'm glad you did it anyway. It takes a lot of courage."

"Thank you Charlotte."

"It's not a problem." I say with a smile that he thankfully returns.

"Charlotte!"

I turn to see my mother calling me, standing at the side of my father. They both looked serious as they wanted to summon me over.

"Look, Tate I've got to go, but please don't worry too much about today. I think you did well and I'm certainly not getting rid of you just yet."

"Alright, thank you C."

"Bye." I say, feeling my mother's glare burning in the side of my head that pulls me away from Tate.

I walk to stand with my parents, seeing they were discussing quietly about something until I arrived when they silenced.