Stage-Fright

Bubbling nervousness stewed in Amber’s stomach.  Bowing her head, she stared at her shaking hands and futilely tried to still them.

                In the background, Amber heard the shouts and cheers of the crowd.  She tried to block their presence out of her mind but with each passing noise her nausea grew.

                I can’t do this! Why did I ever think I could do this?!

                Amber’s panic attack was interrupted when Caleb, the announcer, walked up. “You have five minutes till you go on.”

                Too late, Amber thought. Now I can’t get out of this insanity.

                Noticing Amber’s distress, Caleb drifted closer and crouched in front of her.  Stealing her attention, he tried to calm her by saying, “Amber, you are going to do great. Stop worrying.”

                “Easy for you to say, you aren’t stage-fright!” Amber’s queasiness raged like acid within her. “I think I’m going to be sick!”

                “Just calm down,” Caleb soothed. “Take a deep breath and all this will be over before you know it.”

                Trying to concentrate on Caleb’s words rather than her panic, Amber took a deep, calming breath that helped douse some of the burning nervousness inside her.  Closing her eyes, she pushed her worries aside and prepared herself to go on stage.

                Caleb lightly squeezed her hand, signaling to Amber her time was up. Without another moment’s hesitation, Amber stood up and started on her walk to the inevitable.

“Let’s get this over with,” She sighed.