We Won!

Sitting backstage awaiting the curtain call, my heart begins to pound at my chest. Beating so fast, as though it wished to escape and run away, my heart raced on. Applying my last minute hairspray, and a few minor touches to my make up, I run toward the side stage room. I stood there, completely still, with my long brown wavy hair and my brand new outfit from Hot Topic. Anticipating the band name to be called, Sarah, Joe, and Jared all arrived just in time. 1

“Troubled Youth will now perform their original piece, Stuck On You!” My heart jumped straight out of my chest as I heard the announcement. Breathing heavily we made our way to the stage, I grabbed the microphone, Sarah plugged in her guitar, Joe sat with his drums, and Jared grabbed the other microphone and plugged in his guitar. Joe began to play the background beat, and we were off! 2

“Hold me close to your heart, until the end, we will never fall___ apart___” I sang my heart and soul with ever word of every verse. The song I had written just a few weeks before then lit up the eyes of the audience. The entire school on this very fine night heard my song, sung by me, with my band behind me. Even if we were not to will the talent show, I could tell the words touched the hearts and minds of those that were there. My life put into a song that became lyrics for my very own punk band. 3

At the end of the night I began to feel relieved at the fact that I had made it through the night. But then the final act took their bows, and walked off stage, it was now judgment time. Again my heart was tormented with suspense and anticipation. Beating a thousand times per minute, I awaited the principal’s final decision. He walked up to the microphone that I had just used twenty minutes before and announced the third place winner, “Fountain Of Youth, science fair project by, Christopher Barry”. My eyes widened, for if that kid could place third perhaps we had a chance. Second place was announced, “George The Flamingo, a poem by Ashley Mott” My stomach felt as though it was in my throat, and my heart felt as though it was in my mouth as the principal announced the winner of the eighth grade talent show, “And the winner of tonight’s show is… Troubled Youth!” 4

A giant grin stretched across my face, as I made my way across the stage, with my friends behind me. I stepped up to the podium to receive the award, and then took a giant bow. The crowed cheered a loud loving, welcoming cheer, that allowed the feeling to sink in, we won! WE WON!5