Akirion went to the stage and started the conversation with everyone down the stage, who were hungry for the school's hero speech. Their eyes were on him the moment he stepped forward, and the whole place suddenly felt way too bright. He gulped, his throat tightening like someone had wrapped a rope around it.
He hesitated and then said, "Hi everyone!" His voice cracked a bit, and he thought, 'Ohh god, this is scary.' He shook slightly, fear making his knees vibrate as if they had their own heartbeat.
Everyone cheered for him as if they didn't see his trembling at all. Their cheers hit him like a wave, and for a second he almost forgot what he was supposed to say. The pressure grew more as the crowd kept clapping and shouting his name, and he forced a smile that barely sat well on his face.
Elina raised her hands up, showing that he was supposed to continue talking. Her eyes told him, "Go on, you're fine," but his brain wasn't agreeing.
