Ep2

A peaceful week went by. Stella was worried but glad that nothing happened., finally thinking that Noah changed. Just when Stella was in the corridor, going to class, Noah pushed her hard from behind that she fell. She nearly injured her knee. Noah- "Hey Stel. All good? To be honest you look good down there." He laughed mockingly at her. Noah scoffed and went to class with his gang. Andrew was passing by and saw Stella. He went to help her. 

Andrew- "Hey Stella! You ok? Can you still walk?" He helped her get uplate and slightly checked if she was ok. 

Stella- "Yeah, thanks. I'm ok."

Andrew- "Why would he do something like that?" He seemed a bit furious saying it. 

Stella- "Don't mind him.... Im kinda... Used to it now. Nevermind, let's go we'll be late."

Stella avoided saying anything about Noah and his actions but Andrew looked like he wouldn't give up to know about it. They both went to class and sat on their seats. 

The teacher came and announced, "Good morning class, i have some competition news for you all. Our school is organizing a speaking competition. Interested students can participate. You'll get information from the activity club. Oh, and Andrew and Stella, i already gave your names for this, i hope you guys can do this and will make sure our class is highlighted in a good way."

They both were so shocked that they had to represent their class by their speaking skills. 

After class Andrew went to Stella to talk about it. 

Andrew- "Hey, so, you ready to represent our class? Im honestly kinda excited." Stella replied "Good, im not excited at all. I fumble alot while speaking in front of people, specially a crowd. The whole school will be watching. Nooo!" She said in a sad tone. 

Mary came and interrupted them, "So, discussing about earlier, parteners?" Stella gave her a weird look and said, "We're not parteners. We're two different people, just from the same class. I don't even wanna participate, it's like im being forced. Like how could she give my name without any consent!" 

Andrew- "True, but look, if no one else participates, we will be highlighted even if we do bad, why? Cuz we stood up. Cool, isn't it?"

Mary- "Yea Stella, he's right. Even if you did bad, you tried. Better than the people who would be just sitting in the crowd."

Stella sighed but realized it's actually a good idea, "Guess you're right. Fine, you guys convinced me. I'll try to give my best." 

Noah stepped up and interrupted them, "Huh? Forced into something you don't want Stel? How bad, no? Well, let's see how you'll do" He mocked her and went away. 

Mary- "Let's go guys." She said in a serious tone. 

Later, Andrew went to the library to prepare his speech and have some peaceful minutes when Mike saw him and went to him. 

Mike- "Hey bro, you're here? Practicing?" 

Andrew- "Yeah, don't wanna back out you know."

Mike- "By the way, you both are gonna be class representatives for this competition. Im excited to see how you'll perform." 

Andrew- "Stella said she didn't wanna participate but she'll not back out either. I think she could be a little nervous while speaking."

Mike- "Yeah, she's a great speaker but gets nervous. She hates speaking in front of people. She only speaks professionally if she wants to but i hope she does well too." 

They both continued talking. 

Mary was also in the library, she eavesdropped and heard what they were talking about. She was screaming internally that she ran to Stella. Stella was in the ground practicing her speech. She saw Mary coming to her and felt and felt a wave of relief. 

Mary- "Heyy!! You know what!? I heard Andrew talking about you! Great, isn't it?" Stella replied, "What's so great in it?" 

Mary- "Girl, Mike was talking about the competition and Andrew brought your name up! Maybe he likes you or something?" She said giving a smirk. 

Stella- "So if someone says my name, they like me? The whole school calls me by my name, does that mean they like me? Stop the nonsense Mary." 

Mary laughed and said, "Okok, fine. How's practice?" Stella sighed and replied, "Just fine. I mean im speaking good right now but i don't know if i will on stage. But i should stay positive, right?" 

Mary- "Yeah, absolutely!" 

They were talking when Noah came and spilled water on Stella's uniform, intentionally. 

Noah- "Opps, sorry stel, that was definitely intentional." And he went away. 

Mary- "Omg! Stella, you ok!? Your uniform jacket is so wet. What about other clothes?!" 

Stella- "They're fine. Only the jacket is wet. Wrong for us to think he changed. How am i gonna survive this session!" 

Mary- "Good that's it's almost the leave. Want me to walk to home with you?" She asked worryingly. 

Stella reassured her saying, "It's fine, it's not that far. I'll go, thanks. 

See you tomorrow." Stella went with a smile to make sure Mary wouldn't worry. 

The next in school, in between a lecture, a teacher came and said, "Andrew and Stella, please come to the auditorium for the competition practice." They both went to the auditorium afterwards for practice. When they reached Stella looked shocked seeing so many people participated. 

Practice was going on, everyone was giving their speeches the way they will on the day of competition. Stella was nervous as she was watching everyone perform so well, 'ain't no way I'll win' she thought. Andrew noticed her and tried to comfort her by saying, "Hey, don't worry. I'm sure you'll do well. Cheer up Stella." And smiled to her. Next was Stella's turn, she went to the mic and started speaking. After she gave her speech she went back to her place, and Andrew said, "Great job! You did soo well!" 

Stella felt a little calm hearing it as the practice went well. 

After the practice they both went to class for lunch. Mary saw Stella and gestured her to come to the seat. 

She asked, "So, did practice went well?" Stella replied, "Yeah, it was actually pretty good, and i think Andrew's kinda nice too." 

Mary was surprised as she heard it, "Really, why do you think so?" 

Stella- "See, i was so nervous everytime i thought about the competition, but he helped me calm down everytime too. Isn't that nice? In the auditorium too he cheered me up before my rehearsal."

Mary- "Oh really?! That's so nice of him. So do you think differently of him now?" Stella said, "As a classmate, he's really nice. But you're not getting what you want. Absolutely not." They both burst into laughter as she said that. 

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***