If Not Now, When? // Book 1

Chapter 15: Feb 16

Chapter 15: Feb 16

I woke up this morning at 7 o'clock for once, so I had plenty of time to get everything ready. I made sure my uniform looked perfect, and my hair wasn't messy, like it usually is. Today was the day I'd be getting up on stage for the Murry Secondary bravery award, and you wouldn't want to look like you'd just gotten out of bed when you'd be standing on stage, would you?

Shannon and I got on the bus to get to school. I was kind of nervous, and Shannon could see it.

"Listen, I just want to say I'm super proud of you, not everyone would stand up to someone like Bonnie like you and Sheldon did," Shannon reassured me, "you don't need to be nervous."

"I know, it's just the whole getting up on stage bit, in front of everyone. I'm just scared that I'll do something really stupid and humiliate myself..."

"It'll be fine, you'll go up there, shake hands with the principal, receive the award and come back down. If they ask you to do a speech, I recommend you plan one beforehand, just in case, or ask Sheldon if he can do it."

I looked out the window to see Kasey on her bike, like she is every morning.

When we stopped at school, I waited for Kasey, who only took about 30 seconds to reach me. She got off her bike, put it in the shed and we walked into the school together.

"So, uh, do we miss out on Period 5 today?" Kasey asked.

"I think we do."

"It's probably going to be boring though, like always."

"The only thing to look forward to is the bravery award thing."

"The what now?"

"Sheldon and I are receiving the school bravery award for the way we stood up to Bonnie."

"Oh cool. That explains why you're more dressed-up than usual."

I nodded.

"Uh, what class do we have first?" I asked as we walked into the office to get the folders.

"I think we've got Japanese."

"Righto then."

I handed out the folders and met Kasey and Shannon in care-group. Shannon was choosing to ignore everyone and listen to music for the time being. I stood up and went around to his desk.

"What are you listening to?"

"Linkin Park."

"Well, at least you have good taste in music," I walked away again. Unlike his taste in girls. Mr. Small asked to talk to me.

"Michaela, during the assembly, you have been asked to sit up the front for your award, if you see Sheldon, his teacher probably told him as well, but can you remind him to sit at the front with you?"

"Sure, I have him in my next class anyway."

"We do?" Kasey interrupted.

"Have you really not noticed?"

"No... But probably because I actually pay attention, compared to you guys."

I laughed, "Yeah probably."

Mr. Small talked to me once again, "Also, you will be asked to do a speech, so you might want to prepare something."

The bell for period 1 went and we were on our way to Japanese. Adele walked with us, she was also in our Japanese class.

"Hey," I greeted, "how was The Nun? Oh, and James, of course?" I asked.

"He's good, it was good," Adele replied.