AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I will give them back,” I say. “As soon as this assembly is over.”
“I want them now,” Kylie says, stamping her foot like a two-year-old.
“Shut up, Kylie.”
We both turn and stare at Adika. She gives me a half smile. “Just leave Emma alone already.”
Mrs. Graidy thankfully comes back before Kylie can rip them from my head.
“Alright, enough chit chat.”
Kylie returns to her spot in a huff and I give Adika a small smile.
“Emma, you will take Dean’s arm and he will escort you onto the stage. Got it?”
I nod.
“I know you didn’t get a chance to practice with us this morning,” she says, “just listen to Dean. He will tell you what to do.”
Mrs. Graidy walks out onto the stage and we can hear the applause of the full auditorium. My heart begins to pound.
Tessa sneaks over to me and wraps her arm through mine. “You look pretty,” she whispers.
“Thanks Tessa, you do too,” I say.
She gives my arm a little squeeze. “I was worried about you when you didn’t show up this morning.”
“Yes, well, it’s been a rough morning,” I say, choking out a little laugh.
We listen as Mrs. Graidy hands the microphone over to Ethan. The applause grows louder. I can’t quite hear what he says, but it makes everyone laugh.
My arms are prickling with nerves. I take several deep breaths, but my heart continues to race.
Tessa gives my arm a squeeze. “I better go,” she whispers. She shuffles her feet back into her place in line. Ethan begins calling the couple’s names. Adika and her escort step out onto the stage. Ethan hands them the microphone. Adika’s voice comes through the speakers, loud and confident.
“My name is Adika Carson. I’m an honor roll student with a 4.2 GPA. My hobbies are dancing and modeling. I’ve just been accepted to Princeton University where I plan on studying human biology, on my way to being a surgeon someday.”
I’m not sure there’s a more perfect person on the planet, let alone our school. I didn’t know Adika had been accepted to Princeton, though I’m not surprised. That must have been the scholarship she was scared of losing. Both her parents are doctors too. And not normal doctors either, they look like TV doctors. I suddenly wonder if she’s ever been allowed to choose anything for her own life. Maybe she and I have more in common than I thought.
Adika’s video begins to play and although we can’t see it from backstage, we can hear it echoing through the auditorium. It sounds like a video dedicated to all her volunteer hours at a retirement home. She paints nails, she reads to them, she even teaches a dance class. Man, Adika is one of those people that I really just want to hate. But the more I’ve gotten to know her this last week, I think I’m joining her fan club instead.
I realize I missed everything her escort said about himself. But it must have been funny because everyone is laughing. His video appears to be showing off his sports skills.
Ethan takes the microphone and calls Kylie and her escort, Henry Cho to the stage. I haven’t seen Henry since that night at Taylor’s house. I wonder if his mom still hates me for ruining their carpet. Kylie bounces onto the stage, her cheerleader spirit shining through her bright smile. Her bubbly voice echoes through the auditorium.
“I’m Kylie Bingham, I’m cheer captain. Go Wildcats!” I can hear the bump in the microphone when she does some sort of cheer/clap thing with her hands. “I love cheering, gymnastics, and dancing. I’m excited to be attending the University of North Carolina next year, where I will be continuing to cheer for the Tar Heels.”
Kylie is met with a lot of loud cheers and calls from the UNC supporters in the audience. Then her video comes on and it’s obviously all about her and how cute and peppy she is, as she does cartwheels and handsprings in different locations around town. Gag me.
She clearly passes the mic to Henry, as a male voice begins speaking next.
“I’m Henry. I love listening to good music and playing my guitar.”
I don’t listen to the rest of what Henry has to say. I realize my turn is coming up and I don’t have the slightest idea what I’m going to say. My throat suddenly feels dry. My heart races as my mind swims with ideas. I’m not poised and graceful. I don’t even have a plan for next year. Go to whichever school offers the best scholarship, I guess. I just know I want to get out and be on my own. But I’m not even settled on a major or career path yet. Both Adika and Kylie have these awesome plans. They are sureof themselves and their futures. I’m just me. I still feel like I’m winging it most days.
I watch as Taylor flips her long hair over her shoulder and walks out onto the stage next. It’s amazing to me how charming she can sound when she wants something. She has the crowd eating out of the palm of her hand. Then Tessa gives my hand a squeeze before heading out onstage next. Soon it’s just me and my escort left.
“You nervous?” he asks.
