Lines We Blur

Chapter 8

Time seemed to fly ever since Alex confirmed he would take on the presentation alone. It arrived quicker than lightning, and as he walked through the school corridors, Lily and Mark wished him luck with encouraging smiles and pats on the back. As he made his way to the front of the classroom, where the presenters were expected to sit, he noticed that many pairs had opted to present in the upcoming weeks because their partners had chosen to leave early.

Why did I choose to do this? Alex asked himself, a wave of anxiety washing over him. I should have taken the easy way out.

After making announcements Mrs. Jackson called his name, breaking through his thoughts. He stood up too quickly, his vision blurring momentarily as he felt the weight of the room shift to him. One foot in front of the other, he reminded himself. Just breathe—you got this. Just do as you practiced with Miles.

He approached the podium, glancing out at the audience. To his relief, there were fewer people than he had expected. The class had grown larger over time, and the thought of presenting to a bigger crowd would have been intimidating. But at least now, he was grateful for the smaller group of curious eyes watching him.

“Hi,” he began, his voice trembling slightly. “I’m here alone today because as most if not all of you are aware my partner is in the hospital.” He paused, feeling the weight of the room settle around him, and continued, “He saved one of our teachers this morning, but in doing so, he got hurt himself. That’s just who Miles Thompson is.”

The words hung in the air, and Alex felt a deep silence envelop the room. He took a deep breath, steadying himself as he noticed every eye focused on him. “We’ve spent the last couple of weeks getting to know each other, and I can tell you that Miles is so much more than just another student at Eastside High. He’s passionate, talented, and incredibly brave. But beyond that, he has this remarkable ability to bring color to a world that can sometimes feel so gray and dull.”

Alex paused, taking a moment to gather his thoughts. “Honestly, when we first started working on this presentation, I thought it was dreadful. I couldn’t wait to get it over with. But now, I realize that sometimes it takes a powerful push from the universe to pull you out of your bubble and make you try new things. You discover interests you never thought you had, or even if you find they aren’t really your taste, it’s the act of opening yourself up to new experiences that counts. It’s about celebrating our differences and finding meaning in the connections we build within our community.

“Miles might not always see it, but he inspires everyone around him, including me.”

As he spoke, Alex felt the swell of emotion rising within him. “So, here I am today, standing without my partner, whom I sincerely hope to see back here soon. Because selfishly, I’ve come to cherish who I am when he’s around. I miss how his eyes squint when he’s confused, how his smile lights up his face and reaches his eyes. I miss the way he makes me feel reassured and valued.

He looked out at the crowd, tears welling up in his eyes, and he could hardly comprehend why the emotions were spilling over.

“I miss him,” he admitted, his voice cracking. “And I know he’ll be back soon, ready to tackle whatever comes next, just like he always does. Thank you.”

The applause erupted

As Alex stepped down from the podium, he felt a rush of emotions swirling inside him, almost as if he were floating rather than walking. He made his way back to his seat, but the sounds of the classroom faded into a dull hum. It was as if he were watching the remaining presentations from behind a glass wall, disconnected from the room around him.

His classmates took their turns at the front, presenting their findings with varying degrees of confidence and flair. Some spoke passionately, their voices filled with enthusiasm, while others stumbled through their notes, nervously glancing at their peers. Despite the activity around him, Alex found it hard to focus. His mind was still wrapped around his earlier speech, the feelings of longing for Miles heavy on his heart.

He caught glimpses of Lily and Mark sitting a few rows ahead, sharing whispers and laughter, their camaraderie a stark contrast to his internal turmoil. He wished he could join in their light-heartedness, but the weight of worry for Miles kept him anchored in place.

Time seemed to stretch on, each presentation feeling like an eternity. He glanced at the clock on the wall, willing the hands to move faster. Finally, as the last pair wrapped up their presentation, a wave of relief washed over him. The teacher announced the end of the day, and the students gathered their belongings and chatted animatedly.

As he stood to leave, Alex felt a mix of exhaustion and gratitude. The day had been a rollercoaster of emotions, and while he was eager to go home, the thought of Miles lying in a hospital bed tugged at him. With a heavy heart, he exited the gym, knowing he would carry the day's experiences—and his missing partner—with him until they could be reunited again.