Eternal Bloods

Chapter Seven

Seven

“Nervous?” Liam asked me as I hold my paper grudgingly. Why I was shaking for heaven’s sake? The only thing I have to do is to have my speech.

                I only have to deliver it then after that, I’m finished. Just one speech and I can do the hell I want.

                “You can’t even speak to me! Look,” Liam grabbed my shoulder, which made my heart pounded of his touch. “You can do this. Trust me. Just one speech, you’re done. You get me?”

                I gave him a nod and I wished that I hadn’t proposed my plan. If I hadn’t, I would not face this right now, good thing; Liam’s around to bear with me. Mr. Perry had told me two weeks ago that I should be the one who’ll gave the opening speech in welcoming the event since it was my proposal after all. Before I could protest and reject his assignment, people roughly agreed. So now, I was left doing my speech and in the course of days, I’d have managed to deliver it fluently.

                Today is the day, Wednesday. The day of my eternal doom; the Culture Festival was today.

                These past few days (or weeks rather) each of us―except me― planned on how the event would turn out. Liam―our new boss, for me― laid out different activities that will let the students and the visitors enjoy to themselves. 3-5 food booths of each year level were put forward to, different performances like dance showdown and bands. Exhibits of artifacts and some great minds of Andrew Westbrook were displayed at the Main Lobby.

                That planning was only for one week then the other week; we established funds to buy the required props. Overall, it was a week of hell.

                And I am now hyperventilating because from all the things they’ve done for the success of this event, it all came down to me, my much-awaited opening speech.

                “I was not expecting all of this. All I want to do is to have an event not only students would love as well as their friends and visitors outside of the school and this is what I would get, a speech in front of people?  Not only ‘our’ people, but other people outside of this school.” I said exaggeratingly.

                Liam crossed his arms and said cheerfully, “I got your back. Don’t worry.”

                I curled my lips and decided to take a look at the podium. Our headmaster, Ms. Carlton delivered her speech and I guessed that her speech would end any second now.

                It did.

                “Good luck!” Liam said, giving me a pat on my shoulders then I heard Ms. Carlton acknowledging me. “Now we call Ms. Stella Agnes Hamilton, one of our promising students who made this event possible, to give a welcoming speech.”

                “Thanks.” I muttered to Liam then headed at the podium, keeping my poise gracefully.

                I noticed the intake of breath of the audience as they took in my studded black blazer with a pink tank top, black jeans and a high-heeled boots. I curled my hair with my iron when I was preparing and added some spray net to keep its hold and volume. Totally my style, I was pleased.

                I coughed then I started. “A pleasant afternoon to my teachers, students―I turned to look at the student body―, visitors and friends (I searched for my friends and when I found them, they giggled especially Madz). I am privileged to have this speech delivered to you as we commemorate our school’s history. Andrew Westbrook High School has been an institution of learning for most people here in Arrowstone. They took this school as safe harbor for all the problems, trials and experiences that when the time comes for them to leave this place, each one of them would carry memories that are meant to be a lesson of their everyday life. This is also a place where we meet our friends, best friends rather, acquaintances and those we learned to love and became part of our lives. Feelings and emotions are developed, shaped, and molded into great minds. A student of this institution has the capability to show what they truly are. Even people would step on them, they would much more likely to stand up and give their all just to prove what they can do.