Letters To Bri

Recording Me

Riley's POV:

A few days later, Christian and I arranged the 'speech stuff' with the principals, because we had so many other speeches to do, too. Every speech I went to, I felt more, and more less scared then I did before. I finally felt confidence, for once, proud too. Everyone clapped at the end. It was all like any other speech, except it was all in different words. I soon didn't have to read off the papers christian printed off, I said it, by what most people think, the heart. And I totally agreed.

Some cried, others smiled, but everyone felt sorry. Eventually, parents and grandparents showed up at the speeches, not just students. There was a lot going on, and I can't explain everything.

After a while, at school, people started talking about me behind their backs, pointing too. I felt weird being around those people. Is this what it feels like to be popular? Maybe? I'v been actually thinking of being home schooled with all this speech shit going on. But the only problem was, was how am I going to tell the rest of my friends? Especially Rachel?

At lunch I sat with Rachel, like usual. We sat there for a brief moment, and then I said it.

"I'm thinking about being home schooled."

"WHAT?! she yelled, then she stood up and ponied at me, feat. an angry look. "YOU ARE NOT, I SAY NOT GOING TO BE HOME SCHOOLED!"

The good thing was, well, now I didn't have to tell all the rest of my friends. Why? Rachel yelled it loud enough for the whole school to hear it.

"Rachel, Rachel," I said, soothing her back in her seat. "Alright, alright. I won't I was just kidding. And next time, please, please don't announce it to the world."

She didn't know what I meant at first, but then she looked around and realized that everyone in the lunchroom was staring at her. "Agreed."

For one of my speeches, I let Rachel come, so that she could see me fail. But the thing she didn't know, is that I was confident enough. All she remembers is the Beauty And The Beast play from third grade.

When she hopped in the car on that Saturday morning, The first thing she said was, "Alright hot shot, do your magic."

"Oh, you'll see my magic alright."

Christian started laughing, he was our driver. "What's so funny?" I asked him.

"Hehe," he started off, "Oh... nothing. Never mind."

It took Rachel and I a few seconds to figure out what he was laughing about, and when we did, at the same time we yelled, "CHRISTIAN!" We all ended off laughing together, then sat there, making sure our laughter was gone. Then the adventure began. We spent the whole time listening to Journey, Christian's favorite singer. The only song I liked was Don't Stop Believin', only because I listened to it as a little kid when Luke and I were actually siblings. We used to go in the basement, turn the disco ball on, blow bubbles, and listen to Bon Jovi and Sugarland, and sometimes Journey. I practically memorized the songs. I mostly listened to my iPod the whole way, sharing an ear bud with Rachel.

When we reached our destination, we hopped out of the car and into the school building. It took us a quite a while to find the office, and when we did, we raced there to see who would get there first. Winner: Christian. So that meant Rachel and I had to go up to the desk and ask one of the office ladies where to meet the principal. Rachel said she would do all the talking, nut this is really what happened:

"Yes?" the lady said lifting her glasses from her eyes. Rachel and I both paused. "Is there something you young ladies want to ask me, or something?"

"Why yes there is," Rachel started off, "Riley, why don't you ask her what you wanted to ask her?"

I gave her a disgusted look, then gave a cheesy fake smile to the lady. "Yes, there is something I wanted to ask you actually." Apparently I got rid of my stage fright, but Rachel hadn't.

The long pause happened again. "Well, go on."

"Oh yeah. I'm Riley Jennings, the-"

"You're Riley Jennings?!" the office lady said amazed, "The one who's giving the speech."

"Yeah..."

"Nice to meet you young lady!" she said rapidly shaking my hand.

"You too?"

"Where's the principal?" Rachel asked.

"Oh, yes," the lady said picking up her walkie-talkie, "I'll call him in. Mr. Anderson will be with you in a few minutes. You guys can just wait in those chairs behind you."

We sat in the chairs, like told. Then I looked over at Christian; he looked confused.

"What's wrong?"

"Anderson is my last name."

"Anderson is a popular last name."

"Not really."

"My great uncle's last name is Anderson," Rachel added.

"Whatever..."

A few minutes later, the principal came in. He was a black male, approximately 6ft 8in, and barely had any hair. Quite handsome, too. He was wearing a nice tux and a tie to go along. I smiled at him, about to introduce myself, but I caught myself when I caught Him staring at Christian, and Christian staring back.

A few moments later I realized what was going on.