Why Can't I Just Be Me? Part 1

by Bailey
(USA)

“Who’s next? Speak up ladies,” Mrs. Zilch called out to our health class. She gave us a frown but none of us showed remorse.

In the front row, Brittney Yost gave a smug grin. “I guess no one wants to get up after my amazing speech. Isn’t that right Mrs. Z?”

Mrs. Z shook her head. “Well Brittney, not that a speech on nail care isn’t interesting, but I was hoping for a more relevant topic to health class. How about you Delaney?”

Mrs. Z shot me a smile and I slunk down in my seat and discreetly shook my head. Mrs. Z simply smiled larger and gestured for me to go to the front of the room. I slowly rose from my seat and, feeling as though my feet were lead and my stomach was full of hopping frogs, headed to the blackboard.

Once I got to the board, I wrote my name, Delaney Gemm, in my big, loopy cursive. I then turned to face the class with sweaty palms and what I’m sure was a bright red face.

This is stupid Del. No 7th grade girl wants to hear a speech about loving who you are. And what about that last sentence? Talking about religion at public school isn't cool!

No, I have to do this. I have to. It’s my calling!

Your calling? Puh-lease! It’s an
assignment and everyone knows that you couldn’t ignore an assignment! You never would have done this if it weren’t for a grade!

Yeah well, on the rubric it didn’t say ‘Please use your personal religious views in your essay. Try to convince the whole class that they’re perfect. I chose to do it this way and I’m not stopping now!

Alright then. But in case you were wondering, everyone’s waiting on you.