 Idk how this got so long, sorry! Rhibear ~ Madam Solo ~ Dark Brooding Girl ~ Accio Jedi ~ Gryffinclaw ~ Just a doll
Well, that didn’t go as badly as he thought! Heath was glad that his answer didn’t get a weird reaction and even more so that it had (more or less) been on the right track. Had that ever happened to him in herbology before? And no, he wasn’t being snarky. He genuinely couldn’t recall if it had!
He hurried to finish jotting down the list on the board before the professor moved on to composting. Oh, okay, so that explained the tub of junk. Heath had been wondering how that would fit into things. He listened, willing himself not to forget everything the professor said mere seconds after he said it, and - Wait, what? They had to actually get up in front of the whole class and write their answers? Oh nonononononono! Just the thought of all those eyes on him had him internally panicking.
In his nervous state, Heath completely forgot the question. He listened to his classmates’ answers, hoping that would help him think of something to say if he ever plucked up the courage to go to the board, and - He blinked confusedly at the mention of human waste. Oh dear Merlin, there was no way that conversation could possibly end well, was there? Not that he was the type to giggle about it, but he had a feeling some people might.
That wasn’t the only thing that caught his attention. He couldn’t help but notice how sad that Gryffindor girl (Bernie) looked, and it was making him sad too! He wished there was something he could do, but she was too far away to talk to without shouting and he wouldn’t want to draw unnecessary attention to her. That and he didn’t know her very well; it would probably be weird if he said anything.
So what were they talking about again? Heath tried to block out all the distractions long enough to remember. Oh, right, composting, going up to the board and writing things, and all. Ugh! There was no way he’d be able to speak in front of the entire class… at least not as himself. The only time he felt comfortable in front of an audience was when he was acting. Heath absentmindedly stared at the insignia on the jacket he wore over his uniform. That gave him an idea! What if he didn’t have to be himself answering a question in front of the whole class? What if he was General Poe Dameron explaining a battle plan to the Resistance?
Before he could lose his nerve or forget what he was going to say (again!), Heath got into character and strode up to the board. He picked up the marker and wrote the word CARDBOARD in his usual flowy, dramatic handwriting. “Cardboard takes longer to break down that some of the other components,” he said, turning to face the class, “but it’s a good source of fiber for the plants.” And with that he headed back to his seat.
__________________ Old voices I had thought long since dead whisper of another life I might have led
If I could take that second chance, If I could make my life anew, If only dreams came true... |