26/31 Totally Acceptable

He enters the room with a slight bounce in his step, 

the start of a grin on his face.

"Are you ready?"

I ask.

"Well, kind of."

I can see the discomfort

the unease

the nerves

racing throughout his body.

"Great!" 

I'm trying to send him 

the confidence

he needs

to speak today.

The others enter the room

chatting,

laughing,

wondering

what will happen today.

Will he be ready?

Will he refuse?

Will there be another

Blow-up?

With his hoodie as his

shield

and his headphones

as his talisman,

he walks to the front of the room.

He stands at the podium,

nervous,

but he begins.

At first 

I wonder if he

will ever

look up.

And then he does.

He's got this.