The one I've loved Chapter 25

The competitions held by Q . A . E . S is a three days event . On first day we have cultural , essay writing , elocution competitions ,on second day we have sports competitions , students of all the twenty schools which are under the management of Q . A . E . S( Q Archdiocese of Educational Society ) Participate in the competitions . And on the third day we have prize distribution for the winners .

Few days ago my teacher gave us three topics for the Competition . Last time when I gave my speech I wasn't satisfied . So , I've been preparing for my speech day and night as I wanted to give my best in front of people especially Austin .

Finally the day has come . Even though I was prepared I was nervous . I stood in front of the mirror and practised before going to school and then after coming to school I practised once again in front of Rachel .

Different competitions are held in different schools . We have sports competition in my school , which is tomorrow .

Along with the students who were participating in essay writing competition , we five students were taken to another school along with our English teacher and few other teachers in our school bus . All the girls sat in the front seats . I sat beside Veronica and Austin sat in the last row as all the boys were sitting at the back . We started around 8:00 am and reached by 11:00 am .

As soon as we got down from the bus ,an old man around his late fifties came and took us to a room where other school students were present . There were more than a hundred students in that room . He told us to take our seats and before leaving he told our teachers that the competition would start by 11:30 .

The Competition began sharp at 11:30 . After sometime , my teacher informed me that the next speech was mine .

I started to get nervous . Veronica was sitting beside me . She was talking something and I wasn't in mood to talk to her .

What are your plans this weekend ?, Austin asked me .

I tilted my head and looked at him . I was so nervous that I didn't even look who was sitting beside me until he spoke . And I didn't understand why he asked about my plans .

I shook my head and said that I had no plans .

Then what are you going to do sitting at home ?, he asked me .

I might just sleep or watch movies , I replied .

That's it ?, what about hobbies ? , he asked .

I do , I have a habit of writing things happening or which happend in my life and I love sketching . . . . I mean, I design dresses whenever I'm free , I replied .

Even though it was a normal conversation , I wasn't nervous anymore while talking to him , I forgot that I had to give a speech in few minutes .

I was called by my teacher . I looked at my teacher and then at Austin .

I was going to get up from my chair .

Don't stress yourself and loose your confidence . You will do well, trust me , he whispered into my ear .

I gave a smile and headed towards my teacher . I don't know why , but I wasn't nervous .

I was called to give my speech . They gave me the mic to hold and told me to start . I paused for few seconds , I was blank . But when I saw Austin's face I don't know how but I was able to give my speech confidently . I was satisfied with the speech I gave .

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The fifteen year old me didn't understand why he asked me about my hobbies and about my plans at that time . But now when I think of that day , thanks to him that I was able to give my speech confidently . He tried to divert me so that I would stop being nervous and be confident while giving my speech .

Chapter end