Nervousness

1

My sweaty palms shook as they held the black microphone. In fact, my whole body was shaking, vibrating, even. I could feel the cold sweat on my forehead, even though there was no sweat, just the feeling. Huge monarch butterflies were dancing in my guts, and mouth felt strange, like cotton was stuffed in it. I swallowed nervously as their expectant stares bore holes in my skull. Aside from the loud and hyper thumping of my heart, the echoey room was so silent that you could hear a pin drop from across the room. I tried to distract myself from what I was about to do, but it was impossible. My mind refused, and I was left to fight my fears. People started whispering to each other, tapping their fingers, and someone in the back row coughed. I swallowed down a wave of nausea that had been pushing its way up my throat. I sure didn't want to throw up here. Not in front of all these people. 2

3

 "Hey!" someone hissed from the shadows of the wings. My head refused to turn and let me acknowledge her, even though I willed it to. "There are other people waiting! Just do it!" My head finally turned, and I caught a glimpse of a huge group of impatient kids waiting for me to get it over with. I swallowed down another wave of nausea as I turned to face my audience again. Another few minutes passed, and she hissed at me again during another wave of nausea.4

5

"GO!" And then I threw up all over the stage.6