Nick and Charlie

Chapter 15

"Ok, guys, I think we have done it!" Grace says, clapping her hands.

It's Thursday evening, and we are having a run through of our presentation to the Year 8's in my backyard. We have decided to stay the night at my house and head to the Middle School building together, for moral support.

Our presentation is tomorrow morning, and we aren't sure how long it'll take. We generally get a bit carried away when it comes to inspiring people. Ya know, as ya do.

"We are so going to own this presentation," may says, high fiving Hannah. I hope she's right.

...

"I feel as though they are all judging me highly," May says as we walk through the junior school.

At our campus, there are four buildings: The High school building, for Year 9-12's, the Middle School Building for Year 5-8's, the Primary School Building for Prep-Year 4, and the music building, since when playing an instrument, it could get loud.

We are currently walking through the Middle School building, and a thousand eyes are on us. I guess it's because we're the older kids, and the older kids never go to the Middle School building for anything.

Today I'm wearing a burgundy skirt with a black t-shirt and my black and white, low-cut converse. Hannah is wearing a light blue dress, May is wearing dark blue shorts and a light purple shirt, Jane, a pair of black shorts with a mint green top and Grace a black skater dress.

"May, they are judging you highly," Grace says, and we walk into the auditorium where there are chairs set up facing a stage. There isn't anyone here, as school doesn't start for another ten minutes.

"Girls, hey!" Mr. Dean says, walking over to us, a big smile on his face. We all instantly relax at the sight of him.

"Hi, sir," we all chirp.

"I'm sorry, but I'm unable to be here to see you perform, but I'm getting a teacher to record it," he says, and we all look at each other nervously.

"Actually, sir, we were wondering if you could do something for us," May asks, and his face turns serious.

"Anything,"

"We were wondering whether the teachers could, I guess, not be here for the presentation?" May asks, and he looks surprised.

"You see, sir, the kids will feel less relaxed if there are teachers watching their every move. And they will pretend they are listening when they really aren't," Grace says, and Mr. Dean takes this into account.

"I'm sure I could get them to do that, but they will have to take attendance in here," Mr. Dean says, and we all nod in agreement.

Mr. Dean heads off to find the teachers, and us girls go up on stage to find Brandon. I see Grace tense up.

"Hey, Roberts," May says, walking over to him.

"Hey girls. I need to hook you up to microphones. I've made sure they're latest model, so you won't have any troubles with them," he says, clipping something onto our shirts and then handing us a microphone.

"Thanks, Brandon," Grace says, shyly, and he turns pink.

"No worries, Grace. I hope that your presentation goes well," Brandon says, bounding down the stage stairs and out the door.

"Ok, girls. In positions," Jane says, and we all sit cross-legged on the stage.

The bell rings, and three minutes later, streams of kids file into the auditorium. And there are a LOT of kids.