I'm Here

Chapter 1: The List

The bell rang. I stared at the list on the wall. I wanted to sign myself up so badly, but I simply couldn’t. I couldn’t find the courage to do it. The school talent show was in two months. I was told I had a killer voice. I never believed it. People who said it would either be my parents or my friends. They could just be doing an act of kindness. I would never know if it was the truth.

I entered my social studies class in a hurry. I had made myself late by admiring the list taped outside the music room. I was lucky my teacher was cool. He didn’t care about me being late considering I was a straight-A student who never acted out. I was quiet and shy.

“Sophia, you’re a little late.” My teacher commented once I walked into the room. Everyone’s eyes laid on me. I hated awkward attention.

“I’m sorry, Mr. Gate! I’ll try to get here earlier next time.” I responded. I didn’t even try to make an excuse for myself. Teachers never believed those lame excuses that students came up with. I made fun of those people, so I most definitely didn’t want to become one of them.

Mr. Gate smiled at me. “I don’t really care, Sophia. You were only a few seconds late. Calm down. Take your seat, please.” My teacher softly chuckled.

I let out a sigh of relief. You can never tell when Mr. Gate is actually upset with you or not. He’s always been a joker. The rest of my class giggled like children at my slight panic. I rolled my eyes at them and took a seat next to my best friend, Hailey.

I felt like she was always prettier than me. Her long, dirty blonde hair fell perfectly. Her bright blue eyes glowed in the dark. Her fashion sense was one that I would kill for.

I had long, copper-colored curly hair. I had simple brown eyes like most people. I dressed as comfortably as I possibly could, meaning that I would wear sweatpants to school at least twice a week. That was something Hailey would never even think of in her worst nightmare.

I wouldn’t say I was jealous of my best friend, but sometimes I wished I had some things that she had. Guys always looked at her, but never at me. I wasn’t even a thought to them. That was something I shook off in grade 10. I knew that that would be the way. I wasn’t upset because I had already accepted it. It was not a problem, though. Eventually, I’d have my happy time. Everyone does.

Class begun and Hailey showed me her notebook. I was confused until I realized that there was a note written.

Did you sign up for the talent show yet?

I grabbed the notebook and quickly wrote a response.

Not yet…I don’t even know what song I should do or anything!

Hailey looked at me with a ‘you’re-so-pathetic’ look. I gave her my best offended face. I was slightly offended. Song choice was everything, and then there was that confidence thing. She quickly scribbled a note.

Just pick a song you like a lot. That can’t seriously be your problem is it?