After I gave my speech, I went and sat in my place. "You did well," said Veronica.
"Thank You," I replied.
By the time I returned to my place, Austin wasn't there. He was called by my teacher as his speech was after mine. I wanted to talk to him, I wanted to ask him if I was good, I wanted to know his opinion. I was little upset that he had to leave just when I came. But at the same time I was eagerly waiting for him to give his speech.
I saw him speak something to my teacher at a corner near a pillar. After a while, the judges called his name. As he was walked towards the stage, the room which was silent until now was filled with the sound of students murmurs.
I could hear the conversation of the girls who were sitting behind me.
"This guy is so hot," said a girl.
"OMG !!! he's the guy I was talking about. I saw him while getting down the bus and I fell for him," came a voice of another girl.
"Who wouldn't fall for him, wish I could date him," her friend replied.
"Well, If you wanna date him you gotta ask his girlfriend's permission first," said Veronica with her head turned to them and her index finger pointed me to my horror. Why would she even say that?!
I was so embarrassed and didn't want to show my face to the girls who were sitting behind me.
"What rubbish are you spouting, Veronica," I hissed.
"Aren't you in relation ?"she asked me in a casual tone.
"What !! no way, who told you that?!" my shock was written all over my face.
"You once asked me if I liked him, remember ?... "
It was one of those day when we were hanging out during weekends, I asked Veronica if she liked Austin, she told me that she liked him long back. She is in a relation with another guy who was her neighbour. I heaved a sigh of relief to her reply.
"Yes I do, so ?" I asked her.
"I don't know, the way you asked me was different. I mean you sounded like you were confirming something from me since then I had a doubt that you liked him and on elocution day I saw you talk to Austin and I thought you both like each other, I mean the way you both were talking .... I'm sorry looks like I assumed everything, I didn't tell anybody about this, trust me," she explained.
'We both like each other'
I said but in my mind.
I shook my head and said," no I'm not in a relation and you don't have to apologize, I understand," I gave a half smile and looked at the stage where Austin waited for the judges to tell him to start his speech. And then the Judges who were seated to the right side of the stage told him to start.
As soon as he started to give his speech, the room was filled with silence, everyone in the room was mesmerized by his speech. After he completed his speech everybody gave round of applause and it continued till he got down from the stage and walked towards his seat which was beside me.
Another person was called to give the speech.
I gave a bright smile looking at him when he was coming. He sat beside me.
"That was great," I said.
"Really ? I couldn't take my eyes off of you," Austin came closer and told me in low voice. My heart started to beat faster. I looked at him and I could feel blush creep onto my neck and to my cheeks.
"The way you gave your speech was amazing," he added.
"Thank You," I said and smiled.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
That was what Jessica wanted, she worked hard so that she could do well in front of him but never expected him to compliment her.
That butterflies feeling when you work hard for something and a person you like appreciates you for it is priceless and Jessica felt the same when Austin complimented her.