Hanging in there - A DDLC X DSMP CROSSOVER

Chapter 21 - The speech

I stand up, feeling adrenaline rush to my body. This. is. it. I had to say my speech. I slowly move my hand to my inner pocket of my L'manburg uniform. My speech was in there. My hands grasp around, feeling for a fluttering sheet of paper, going deeper still, only to find... Nothing. Nothing? Wait... NOTHING?! How can I ever say a speech without the actual paper?! OH god, and Schlatt's also waiting for me to say something, and Wilbur... I look around as I step up to the podium. I feel sick. Like I'm drowning and getting stabbed and dying all over again. But this time, I have a choice. And I will choose the right one.

Fundy is at his podium, with Niki as his running mate. Niki? That's weird. Wilbur never got angry at her for running. Fundy is staring daggers at me, while Niki gives me a sheepish and reassuring smile. I turn to Quackity's team, SWAG2020. Quackity has an unreadable expression. His running mate George, avoids my eyes. Is everyone against me? Lastly, I turn to POG2020. Tommy's eyes blaze at me as I look at him. Tubbo can't even look me in eye, with a devastated expression. Poor Tubbo. I swear, I will make things right! I look at the crowd, spotting Dream, Sapnap and Eret. Sapnap looks amused. As for Dream and Eret, I can't see what they're thinking, as their eyes are covered. Ok. gotta improvise. Just like the lit club. Just like the time Monika told us to improvise a play of some sort. It was hilarious. I'm not sure how I can handle this situation the same, but I sure can try. Taking a deep breath, I put my face next to the microphone.

"Hello, my fellow L'manburgians. As I stand here today, before you. I can see your eyes." crap! What the hell am I saying? I get a few chuckles and laughter in the audience. I start again, beginning to gain confidence. "Yes, your eyes. I see that you are excited, I see that you are hopeful, but most of all, I can see that you are going to vote for who will do the best job." A few nods from the crowd. "And today, my job is to tell you why you should vote for Schlatt2020! Well, first of, uh, L'manburg, it-s, it-s like a hamburger! I totally yummy, delicious, nutririous hamburger! It's all because of a few very special and important people! And the very important people are you - the L'manburgians! Yes, each and every one of you have helped shape this amazing society in which we live in to this day. So I ask, to help keep the amazingness and the deliciousness and originality, of our sandwich nation known as L'manburg, vote for Schlatt2020. A vote for Schlatt is a vote for freedom!" Cheers ring throughout the crowd. I blush in joy. I really did it! If only I could have done it for the right people...

I walk back to my seat, aware of all the gazes burning into me. The amazing feeling evaporated pretty quickly, leaving nothing but the feeling of throwing up. I quickly sneak a glance at POG2020. Tommy looks angry while Tubbo still looks sad. Wilbur has a stern expression on his face. I look over at SWAG2020. Quackity is grinning while George looks confused. But then again, he always has a weird expression on his face. Must be because he's colour-blind or something. I look to COCONUT2020. Niki is preparing her speech while Fundy looks at another sheet of paper. He looks angry. I'm confused. Why would Niki's speech make him angry? But, on second view, I see something that makes my heart skip a beat. No. NO! Because, the last person I would ever expect, the last person I would ever believe, the person that's now my enemy....

He- He has my speech.

The one that I lost.

The one with me and Schlatt's deal.

...

I can only think of one word appropriate for this time. And I say it. Out loud.

"Fuck."