Second to Last

This speed writing was produced to the tune of Jami Sieber's 'Unspoken: The Music of Only Breath'

20 min Speed Writing Session: Today is the day. I don’t know what to feel …

Billy, are you ready for your presentation tomorrow? said the primary school teacher.
I think so, replied Billy.

At that point, the whole class knew he was not. What they did not know was that the lessons learnt during those tender years would become an invaluable set of tools that would later on in life, assist all of them in almost every facet.

We’re, we’re you afraid when you did your talk? Billy asked the girl sitting next to him.

At this stage in his life, he was not afraid of the opposite sex.

A little bit, she replied, but then you feel better after.
I don’t feel very good at the moment, billy sighed.

Okay class, see you all tomorrow!

…

Billy began his walk down the line, from his unnoticeable seat in the back of the classroom, to front and centre of the world. He watched the eyes watch him as he did his best to look confident. The silence, while only lasting a few seconds, seemed like an eternity. At this stage, butterflies were multiplying in his stomach.

And today’s presentation will be on… as she signalled to Billy to begin.

Then, it occurred. Something began to flow through his veins. The fear was taking over, it was captivating. Never before had the young leader felt such a sensation. Nothing else mattered, only what was to be his next action. The body was completely frozen at this point, heart racing, head overheating, sweat pouring and fingers twitching. The decent into the abyss had begun.

Even before he had begun talking, the body was overpowering the mind. As the adrenalin started to kick in, the body was preparing for the inevitable. As we are all animals, flight or fight syndrome was now the in full effect. The fear had gone, what replaced it was a new vessel in the veins.

Billy had not run, he was not hiding, and he was at the commencement still standing. He looked at his place cards and knew that this was simply a moment, once overcome he could do anything. People fear public speaking, he was just a boy.

…

Good, good morning class, he managed to say.
Hi Billy, the class replied.

The teacher sighed with an amazing sense of relief. And Billy never looked back.

The end.


Inspired by all the in-class presentations I have witnessed and also been a part of.