The sign-up sheet for the talent show hung on the bulletin board outside the principal's office, taunting Sophie every time she passed it. Names were steadily filling the page—some scrawled with enthusiasm, others with hesitant uncertainty.
By Thursday morning, Sophie found herself staring at the sheet once again. Her heart raced as she thought about her poem, tucked safely in her notebook at home.
"You're really thinking about it, huh?" Rachel's voice broke through her thoughts.
Sophie turned to see her friend standing behind her, arms crossed and a knowing smile on her face.
"I don't know," Sophie admitted. "It's just... scary."
Rachel shrugged. "Yeah, but isn't that kind of the point? Pushing yourself, doing something you didn't think you could?"
Sophie bit her lip. "What if I mess up?"
"What if you don't?" Rachel countered. "What if you're amazing, and everyone sees how talented you are?"
Sophie looked back at the sheet. Rachel's words stirred something inside her—a mix of fear and determination. Taking a deep breath, she grabbed the pen dangling from the clipboard and wrote her name on the line.
---
By lunchtime, the news had spread. Sophie could feel the curious stares and hear the whispers as she walked through the cafeteria.
"You're doing the talent show?" Max asked when she joined him at their usual spot.
Sophie nodded, her cheeks burning. "Yeah. I'm performing a poem."
Max smiled. "That's brave."
"I don't feel brave," Sophie admitted. "I feel like I'm going to throw up."
"You'll do great," Max said, his voice steady.
Sophie looked at him, searching for signs of doubt, but found none. His confidence in her felt like a lifeline.
"What about you?" she asked, hoping to shift the focus. "Are you sure you're not signing up?"
Max shook his head. "Not my thing."
"Fair enough," Sophie said, though part of her wished he'd change his mind.
---
The next few days were a whirlwind of preparation. Sophie spent hours rehearsing her poem in front of the mirror, trying to steady her voice and keep her hands from shaking. Rachel was a constant source of encouragement, offering feedback and cheering her on.
By the time the night of the talent show arrived, Sophie felt like a bundle of nerves wrapped in a layer of excitement. She sat backstage, clutching her notebook as the other performers prepared to take the stage.
"You okay?" Max's voice startled her.
She turned to see him standing in the wings, his sketchbook under one arm.
"I think so," she said, managing a shaky smile. "What are you doing here?"
"Thought I'd watch," Max said, his expression unreadable. "And maybe sketch a little."
Sophie's heart swelled. Knowing he was there made her feel a little braver.
---
When her name was called, Sophie stepped onto the stage, her legs trembling beneath her. The spotlight was blinding, and the murmurs of the crowd seemed to echo in her ears.
But then she saw Max, sitting in the front row with his sketchbook open, and Rachel waving enthusiastically beside him. Their presence steadied her, grounding her in the moment.
Taking a deep breath, Sophie began to speak.
The words flowed from her like a river, carrying her fears and hopes into the room. She didn't focus on the audience; she focused on the rhythm of her voice, the meaning behind her words, and the courage it took to stand there.
When she finished, the auditorium was silent for a moment before erupting into applause. Sophie felt a rush of relief and pride as she stepped back from the microphone.