I walked into the school with my things. My mom texted me earlier, her flight was delayed by 15 minutes. I looked around and checked in again for my solo debate. I looked around at a few people and sat down. I saw the teacher who checked me in here yesterday. She was looking around and talking with two men. I saw her look at me and point towards me. I turned around and sat down. After a few minutes phones started to go off. I looked at mine and stood up all while the others talked about who they got and what not.
"It's not amateur hour people," I stated as Daisy joined me walking down the hall. I walked to the classroom and set up. I looked over my paper once more. I turned my head as I saw the boy come in. I already had everything ready. He set up and looked at me. I stuck out my hand and he shook it.
"Troy, Troy Arellanes," he said. I gave a strong firm shake.
"Evelyn Strauss," I stated. He nodded. I saw the teacher who checked me in the other day with two men come in with a lot of other people. I looked at my paper once more. I then grabbed it and put it face down next to my adjustable laptop stand. I looked at the computer and pressed play on the video. My volume was already off.
"Ms. Strauss you'll be arguing the affirmative and Mr. Arellanes the negative," a judge said. I nodded. "Ms. Strauss your time begins...now." He clicked his watch and I began.
"Resolve, The United States should implement uniform legislation related to the right to keep and bear arms," I stated. I gave my speech never once looking at the paper or my computer. I knew it was making him nervous. I finished my speech at 7 minutes and 58 seconds. I know because I had time myself giving the speech in a timely manner while getting everything in.
"Mr. Arellanes, your time begins...now," the judge stated.
"Negative, the United States should not implement a uniform legislation pertaining to the right to keep and bear arms," he stated. I smiled and looked at him. He changed his beginning statement, he still messed up saying when he said "implement a", it's just implement. He fumbled a bit as well. When it was over I could tell he was under 8 minutes. The zone for timing to be in is 7.45 to 8 minutes. Not over or under and he fell under.
"Vote goes to the affirmative," a judge said. They stood up and left. I closed my laptop and undid my set up quickly.
"You're okay. Try not to fumble, remember to breathe," I said. "And try not to make it so obvious that you changed your statements wording next time."
"You're good," he stated. I could tell people were looking at us. I smiled as I grabbed my things and began to walk out of the room.
"I'm not good...I'm the best," I stated. I turned around and walked out. My phone rang and I looked at my next challenge.
Halfway during the break I saw my mom and she hugged me.
"I've been here all of four minutes and I know you put the fear of god in all of them," she said and I laughed.
"I competed against a freshman today," I said, "He was good, not better than me, but good." My mom mhmmed as she hugged me from behind and rested her chin on my forehead.
"You okay, I saw Jason," she said. I rolled my eyes and nodded.
"Yeah, I'm fine. I haven't actually seen him yet, Daisy saw him and told me," I stated.
"Daisy...you know, are you enemies or friends. I never know," she said.
"We have mutual respect for one another, but will gladly bury the other six feet under ground during competition," I explained. My mom laughed and kissed my head.
YOU ARE READING
The Up Hill Battle
FanfictionWhen Lindsay Strauss left Lucas at the alter she had no idea that she wasn't the only one leaving. Letters and emails sent to Lucas were returned. Anything she told him were left on deaf ears. Lucas ignored her. He was marrying the girl of his dream...