Sophie stared at the floor, her hands trembling violently where they lay clasped in her lap. All around her, she could hear the hushed whispers of the other students. Despite the reassuring words from the kind professor, she could imagine their words as harsh judgement and hurtful criticism. Her breathing quickened and she intently listened to the music to help assuage her terror.
The song ended and another one began. As the first notes sounded, Sophie recognized it. "This is my song!" she shouted, leaping up from her seat. And sure enough, it was her song.
Taking courage from the music, Sophie squared her shoulders and stepped up to the front of the room. Without even needing to read the lyrics that were sliding across the screen, she gasped the microphone and began to sing along. "And when you get the chance, you are the dancing queen, young and sweet, only seventeen!" A big grin split across her face as she finished, "Diggin' the dancing queen!"
When the music stopped, she turned to head back to her seat. A burst of mortification filled her as her eyes flitted across the classroom and she realized what she had just done. "Oh my gosh, did I seriously do that?!" Her face burned bright red and she hurried to the back of the room, feeling like all eyes were on her and on her alone. |