AI CLUB'S SECRET | AN APPLYFIC [Closed]

Chapter 39- Poetry Recital (Part 2)

VERY IMPORTANT NOTE: I wrote the poems for this, so go easy on me haha.

Also, I know this chapter is really long but PLEASE read it all. And please do the interactive parts if you can!

The room was filled with budding poets, all hoping to share their works of art. A tall man with an incredibly curly head of brown hair approached Maya.
"Maya, hello again!
Lovely to see you back again."

Maya smiled at him.
"Thanks, Matt.
It's really popular this year."

Matt chuckled.
"I know!
We've never had this many people show up before.
Is Elodie with you?"

Maya shook her head.
"Uh, no.
She should be coming later though."

Matt nodded.
"Ah, that's good.
I have to check on something.
I hope I'll hear you recite something this year!"

Maya laughed and Matt hurried away. Her eyes scanned the room for Elodie, her heart beating rapidly every time she saw someone that looked like her.

But that's all she saw.

People that looked like her.

Loud feedback pierced through the air, getting everyone's attention.
Matt raised his hand as he spoke into the microphone.
"Sorry! Sorry.
Ok, thank you for coming!
Let's get this show on the road.
The first speaker we have is...", he started, before looking at his clipboard.
His eyes widened and a big smile appeared on his face.
"... Maya Ahmed!"

Everyone started clapping and Matt got off the stage.
Maya felt her stomach twist into knots as she stared at the empty stage.

She took a deep breath and made her way to the stage.

Nope.

H*ll no, this was much worse.

Now she was looking at her doom in the face.

Her mouth went dry, as if all her words left and took their bags with them.

Some people in the crowd were concerned, but most of them grew restless.
"Get on with it!", yelled an unknown man.

"Excuse me, none of that please!", called out Matt.

Maya exhaled- which was a mistake. Her breathing was shaky, reminding her of how nervous she was.
"Um..."

Her hands began to sweat, so she rubbed them against her scarf. Her hand caught on something, instantly getting Maya's attention.

Her eyes were drawn to her beautiful butterfly broach.

All the memories, words of encouragement, hugs and just genuine love from Quinn came rushing back.
Whenever times were tough, whenever she couldn't do
something- it was Quinn she turned to.

It had always been Quinn.

An intense tingling sensation rushed through her body. She clenched her fists and looked out at the audience. She took a deep breath and cleared her throat.

"Um, hi. I'm Maya Ahmed.
Obviously, ha. That's why I came up here", she said, before clearing her throat.
"The poem is called Loss.
This poem is about someone in my life that meant a lot to me, and still does. And it's about how sorry I am for not being there for them when they needed me."