HIM

CHAPTER 8

Oh well, it's here. The long awaited day should I say? Am so tensed, am nervous, am anxious. God! Am restless! The last thing I needed to hear now was someone trying to comfort me and encouraging me it's all going to be fine.
I remember how I didn't even have any breakfast, I didn't even see Mum when I left the house. And I have not seen Flen yet, not that I needed to; I just thought it'd be good to see him before I step on that stage.

"Hey Linn,you ready? "
"May am so tensed honestly, I don't think I want to step up there anymore. "
"Come on Linn, you got this. I know you can do it. "
"Thank you May, can I get a hug at least,please?"
"Of course you can,come here," she says as she pulls me in for a hug.
"Can I join you? "
Who could that be? Uh-oh! It's those deep blue eyes again; Bill.
"Sure, but don't squeeze her lungs out, " May says as Bill brings his body over mine.
Wow! He smells good, really good. And he hugs pretty well;warm and comfortable.

Linn, time to get off him!
Yeah, sure. I pull out of the hug and with a smile I excuse myself.
"All the best, " that comes out at the same time from the two of them.
"Thanks, " I reply as I walk away.

Getting backstage, I realize am not the only one who's tensed here. Everyone is trying to put on their best confident face on. OK, the thing is, it was a writing competition yes; but there was the presentation part. You get on stage, give a storyline of what you're writing about, then hand your full work to the judges. Then by evening the result would be out. So, the presentation was the most important definitely. Confidence has never been an option when it comes to that.

My tag number was 8,that meant I'd present as the third person from the last. Well, that gives me more time. It's going to be a long day!

"Tag 8!" That really jolted me awake. Wait, was I even asleep? How? Why did time fly this fast? I don't think I want to step up there anymore...
"Linn Armor, get on stage! "
I don't think there's any way out other than doing it. Fine, I will do it.

Uh-huh! What a crowd! The judges are all set, eyes fixedly on me; the crowd ain't really that much. It's just a few students who got time to come around, and a few parents...
Speaking of which I can't trace my Mum. No way! She's in here, she promised. She didn't forget,did she?
I try to look around but only get stares from unknown faces. Luckily I get to see May, Frances, Miranda and Daisy almost at the back;all smiling and waving at me. That was sweet.

Linn, let's do this. We got it, just breathe in and out; let yourself relax up a bit. We can do it, OK?

Just as I let my eyes shift to the judges, I see someone coming in. It's Flen! He looks up and smiles at me, I smile back and with one last glance, I know it's now my time to start.