CHAPTER TWO
"We're here Austin," I must have fallen asleep on the way. It's not a surprise, I slept for the better part of two hours last night, I've never been this nervous in my life. I felt just like this last at last years ceremony.
"Okay, I'll see you after the ceremony honey. Good luck!"
"Thanks! See you later!," I yelled back. Could she be any more embarrassing?
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I really can't imagine how nerve racking is must be for my mom right now; I'm her only child, my dad died a couple years ago in a terrible car crash and without me here I don't know what my mom would do. I can't just leave her alone.
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"Ladies and Gentlemen," it's Mayor Smith, "Please be seated."
My father was quite close friends with Mayor Smith or as dad called him, Ronald. They grew up together, best friends since Kindgarten. When my dad died, he was devastated, just as much as my mom was. He's like family to us.
"Welcome to the 52nd annual Mission Nomination Ceremony, let's get it started," he says "Could I please have my trainers step up on stage."
Caleb; the leader of the trainers here in our city steps up to the podium.
"As you all know, every year we select eighteen individuals between the ages of thirteen and eighteen to embark on The Mission, and today is Nomination Day, welcome!," he announces, "If you are nominated today, that doesn't necessarily mean you will embark on The Mission, the President will have the final say in all of the decisions, so for those of you who really want this opportunity, don't get your hopes up."
"Good luck!", the Mayor is back at the podium, "I will now read the nominees for our city this year," here he goes.
"John Lowe," He goes to my school.
"Kaitlyn Richards," Holy frig! My cousin!
"Joshua Jacobsen," Don't know him.
"Sierra Brown," My ex-girlfriend.
"Kevin Smith," He goes to my school aswell.
The list goes on and on. I'm just beginning to daydream when something really peculiar happens, I hear my name.
"Austin Richards."
That can't be right. I'm not nearly as good as half the kids that have been called. I was the last one, why me? Seriously, how is this happening?!?
"Could I please have this years nominees on stage?," Caleb is back up.
As I'm waking up to the stage I spot my mom, she looks emotionless; not happy, not sad, not excited, just nothing. She seems to be in completely utter shock.
Exactly like me.
Shocked.
Scared.
Devastated.