HANGMAN

Lam_

Everyone in the class is observing me, waiting for my answer, my next guess. Looking around, the only thing I can see is their eyes looking right through me. They already know what I am thinking, they know I can not decide, they can barely hold in their giggles, because somehow they know I will get it wrong. I feel the urge to run straight for the door, but my body is stiff on place. I just need to get one more correct and I will be free, just one more.
I zone out looking intensely at the chalkboard, one more lyric. "L a m _" I could either be a B or a P. I can not loose like this, I only got one more chance. What could it be?
- Come on James, we're waiting.
Suddenly my teacher's words bring me back to reality, I have to respond now, if the teacher gets impatient she might decide to finish the the game early. I can not believe I have come so far for this to loose now.
- Oh please James, it is fairly easy, I bet you already know the answer, don't you?
My grip on the chalk stick tightens, I take some air and prepare to talk but before I could say anything I'm interrupted...
- Tho If you feel like you can't, we could stop right now, but remember the class punishment for giving up. I bet Nicolas would like some company over the corner, so what will it be?
As if I could not be stiffer enough my body feels even more tense after mentioning Nick. I glance over to where he laid... Emotionlessly looking at me with his blue-ish eyes, almost resentfully. My hands start to sweat. What is it!? a B or a P!? I'm starting to feel desperation crawling into my stomach. I feel like throwing up. I close my eyes but I can still feel Nick's gaze over me, It's too much. I-I can not do it. I just can not. I turn suddenly at my classmates who are now laughing out loud at me.
- Answer now James!
The teacher spouts out, I have to do something, now! I open my dry mouth to speak up. My heart pounding frantic in my chest, I try to stop my voice from trembling unsuccessfully.
- I-I...
- what was that James?
Asks the teacher with her deep raspy voice. Everyone stops their laughing and chattering, I take a last glance at the chalkboard to turn to her. I respond really bluntly with eyes wide open.
- I think it is... P?
She sights and looks over to the class, and then at me for what it feels like hours.
- So you've chosen P...
Dead silence drowns everyone's breath on the room.
She stands up and writes the lyric in the empty space, then as she puts a hand on my shoulder, I feel a wave of relief cursing through me. I did it. It's okey now. I keep repeating the same over and over looking at my teacher's smiling face.
But, I start hearing a little giggle coming from the back of the classroom and like a plague it soon expands echoing through everything and everyone present. The little smile that had form on my face fell.

- Oh James, that is incorrect.

The world stops. It can not be. It is not true. My body becomes so loose I star to feel dizzy. I studied, I prepared myself for this I worked so hard. It is not fair. I refuse, I will not believe it, I do not accept it.

I close my eyes as I feel my neck tighten, pulling the air out of my lungs.