The Time of My Life [Completed]

Chapter 27: The Time at the Ceremonies

Friday, February 23, 2018

I couldn't have felt any more embarrassed about what happened between me and Peter. I mean, I went farther with him after knowing him for just a few hours, than I had ever gone with Brock, who I was dating for over a month. Not that I regret taking things slow with Brock. Just like how I don't regret leaving Peter's room. Not that I had much choice, it would have been pretty awkward to do anything with John there. Bad, Jessie, bad!

I just hope John doesn't tell anyone.

I had my event at 9:30 this morning. That means I had to wake up at 7:30 to get ready and get there early. Kyrsten and the guys' events were around the same time so we just went over together. Of course we got lost about 5 times, but that's why we left early.

After that, the next couple hours were boring. I took two "recognition tests," whatever those are. They said I earned proficiency on both. I don't really know what that means either but I'm pretty sure it's good. They gave me ribbons to attach to my name tag.

Around 2 o'clock, I was finally free. I dragged my friends (besides May, her event took longer) over to the mall. Kyrsten was fine with it though. She actually helped me pull Spencer and John across the parking lot. Eventually, I told them we could go to the arcade if they cooperated for an hour or two. It worked, of course.

That's how the rest of the afternoon went. There was no ceremony tonight, and curfew isn't til midnight, so we weren't in much of a rush to get back to the hotel.

Tomorrow we have two ceremonies, one at 10:00 am, and the other at noon, then we leave at 2:00 pm. I have a feeling it could be a long day.

~•~

Saturday, February 24, 2018

8:00 am

I hear the alarm clock going off. Just as I'm about to hit snooze, I hear the most annoying voice you could ever imagine.

"Rise an' shine, ladies!" Sabrina's voice echoed throughout the hotel room. The 3 of us groan in protest when she turns on the lights and opens a window. "Two hours til the Regional ceremony starts, and we all have to look our best."

"Why? It's not like we're going on stage." I counter.

Kyrsten slapped my arm from her side of the bed. "That's what you said last time."

"Good point." I climb out of bed and dig through my bag for my last clean pantsuit. I decide to leave my hair down, and do a natural makeup look, since I'd have to keep my makeup on for the bus ride home.

At 9:00, Ms. Taggart texted us all, telling us to put our bags on the bus and where to meet after. I decided to put an outfit in my backpack, so I could change after the ceremony, before getting on the bus.

By 9:45, the 30 or so of us walked, or more like stampeded, into the conference room, claiming 3 rows of chairs for ourselves. May explained that this ceremony only has schools from the coastal region of North Carolina. They just make some announcements and call up everyone who scored a 75% or higher, aka proficiency. At least I know what that means now, I thought.

And once again I was wrong. Because I scored proficiency again and was called up on stage. As well as at the main ceremony afterwards, 3 times. The first two were because of the recognition tests I took. Apparently I got a really high score. Which was weird because on the first one, I guessed on almost every question. The third was because I was one of the top people in my event. I wasn't in the top 5 though, so I won't be going to internationals in Atlanta.

Of course, some people from my school are going to internationals. Which includes Kyrsten and Peter. There were a few others, four upperclassmen that I don't know.

A couple hours later, I got changed and threw my medals in my bag. I take my seat at the back of the bus with Kyrsten; May wanted to sit with Sabrina. I put my earbuds in and rest my head against the back of the seat in front of me, hoping to sleep through the next 5 hours of my life.