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newt:

I roamed the halls in search of my best friend, Minho. I felt a pat on the back. "Hey Newt." I turned my head to see Minho laughing. "Hey, Min." I walked slowly for a second to reach the same pace as him.

"How are you feeling?" He asked me.

"Terrible." I replied.

I'm trying out for the role of the school captain, and I'm very nervous. I have a speech to present to the whole of my high school.

"Hey, don't worry. I'm sure you'll get it." Minho comforted me. I smiled back at him, my lower lip trembling. My speech nearly slipped out of my palm due to my sweat.

We walked together to the auditorium, where I noticed hundreds of students seated. Some eager, some nervous for their friends, some uninterested.

Today was mandatory for all students to attend, but it was obvious that a lot of them didn't want to be there.

Five chairs sat empty towards the front of the hall, reserved for the candidates of the role. They were me, of course, a quiet, nerdy boy named Winston, a shy, short boy named Chuck, a tall, loud boy named Gally and a stupidly annoying boy named Thomas.

I hate Thomas. He's obnoxious, rude, and loved by everyone because he's seen as a hero by most students. Other kids don't even approach him because they're so terrified.

I was the first one there. The other boys were yet to come, so I picked the chair furthest away from the stage. In past years, I'd remembered the candidate on this chair was usually the last one picked for the speech.

Next to come was the Chuck boy, who looked like he'd seen a ghost. His eyes were red, and his nose was running. He sat down next to me, slightly shaking before he did so.

"Are you alright?" I asked, reaching for my white handkerchief in my pocket. I handed it to him, and he wiped his nose and eyelids.

"Thank you. I'm fine. I'm just awfully nervous." He shuddered with his words. "Don't worry. I'm sure you'll do great." I rubbed his shoulder comfortingly.

Chuck is extremely smart, so he was moved up a few year levels. He was still very young. I think he's around 14 - 15.

Gally appeared from around the corner. He gathered high fives and cheers from the students in the crowd. Gally was definitely the students choice for the role.

He was everything one would desire to be — cunning, athletic, handsome, and confident. And he knew that. Gally sat down on his seat, very confidently.

Winston arrived, notepad in hand. He pressed his glasses up against his face and brushed a chair before sitting down on it. He didn't say a word and just relaxed and analysed his notes.

Finally, Thomas came strolling through the door. The crowd had mixed reactions; some students laughed, and some groaned.

I, however, didn't make a sound. I internally sighed and watched as Thomas leapt for the remaining seat. He sat down, resting his arm around the back of the chair.

I cringed in second-hand embarrassment. Thomas was trying so hard to look cool, and he had failed miserably.

I guess that was just my opinion because Chuck gawked in awe. "Thomas is so cool." He said, turning to face me.

I just pursed my lips and nodded.

"Listen up, students." Principal Ava Paige's voice echoed through the loudspeakers.

"Today, we have five eager students ready to present their speeches. From this, we will determine our final two candidates for the role of school captains."