Standing here before all the parents, friends, and teachers I’ve never felt so small. I'm an abecedarian to this whole speaking in front of large crowds, I thought. The audience is filled with interested eyes beaming up at me while I’m standing at the podium to give my speech. Avoiding all eye contact with anyone in the crowd I focus my eyes on the back wall. Cameras flashing, balloons flying, and the aroma of flowers could be smelt a mile away. My stomach is filled with butterflies, my hands gadabout on the podium and my head feels as if it was spinning uncontrollably. Discomfort is written all over my face, and I no longer care to hide it.
My mouth opens, and I try to force words out, but nothing, all I can do is think. Think about how it’s going to be after this. How I’m going to miss all of my friends, and how nothing will ever be the same again. Overwhelmed by the situation I’m a nervous wreck, my palms are sweaty, and there’s a knot the size of a fist in my throat. I take a deep breath and spit out each word one by one, the words come spilling out like logorrhea. The microphone echoes my voice throughout the whole building. I’m trying to skimp through this speech as quick as I can, but it seems like it keeps getting longer, and longer.
I ignore the camera flashes, and the people screaming my name occasionally. As I begin to wrap up the ending of my speech I sigh in relief. I’m just glad this is almost over. I gather all my thoughts and can’t help but to be proud of myself. The smile on my face could have lighted up the room. I’m inundated by all the clapping, and chanting. My face instantly altered from a frown to a smile.
