Dreams

Chapter 3

I finally managed to get up. I wiped my tears, the little amount of mascara I had managed to put, all smudged. I had to get up and tell Mrs. Bennett. She would understand and help me. It wasn't like I didn't memorize a single word, I had, in fact I remember most of it. The paper just made me feel comfortable and somewhat confident about getting done with the debate in front of a hundred people. And without that sheet, I don't think I would get through this without stuttering and forgetting most of it. There wasn't much time for the competition to start and I had to find Mrs. Bennett. I pushed past the crowd and reached the benches where the competitors were sat, everyone memorizing their speeches. I spotted the red haired teacher with the huge glasses. But it looked as if she had spotted me first when she excused herself from the student she was talking to and made her way to me with a bright smile. "Laura! You're here! I was waiting for just you, where's your speech?"

"Um, actually I-"
I was cut off mid-sentence when the principal thumped the mic to test if it was working and then spoke.
"Good morning, as you all may know why we are here on a Saturday morning, the.." I payed less attention to him as I turned to Mrs. Bennett. As I opened my mouth to say something, I was cut off again.
"Best of luck Laura. I know you would make it." And with a vibrant smile she turned and walked away giving me no chance to speak.

I heard the principal call out the first name.
"I would like to call Miss Anne Austin to present her debate on global health awareness.."

I located my seat and sat down. I was nervous as hell. My heart thumping so loud I swear people near me could hear it. I had no idea what I was going to do.

Time passed by, each minute seemed to pass so quickly and I knew my turn was not very far now. I kept on fidgeting with the hem of my sweater, biting my lip. Why does this always happen? What have I ever done to deserve this? God really does hate me. And as I was thinking about what was about to happen next, I heard my name.

"Very well done, Miss Lacy. And now, Miss Laura Goode would present her speech on 'Dreams and realities'" the principal motioned to me. I stood up, swallowing a lump that had formed in my throat. I could again feel tears brimming my eyes. My heart thumping, my hands shaking. I looked over at Mrs. Bennett who gave me her best smile, and a thumbs up. I could see Abigail, my best friend, mouthing a 'good luck'. I just wanted the ground beneath me to open wide and just swallow me.
I made my way to the stage having not a single idea what I was going to say. I straightened my sweater and cleared my throat.
"Good morning, my fellow students and teachers. I, Laura Goode am here to present my debate on 'Dreams or Realities' on this annual debate competition. I would like to start off with-" and as I was recalling my speech I heard a loud thump. I hear a few gasps from the audience and then there was another thump. And now I could hear screams from the back row. What the hell was that?

All the heads turned from me to the back doors of the school and there, as I stood on my toes to see what was happening, I saw the guard lying on the floor, lifeless.