English isn't my forte...

[Lister D. Reynolds]

Okay he could do this. The boy glanced up at the clock, only 3 minutes to go. His English class had been assigned to do a talk on a subject which they had a passion for. It was meant to last about 5-7 minutes but most of them overran or were just under so they were running a bit behind. LDR didn't care he was just happy that he probably didn't have to do his talk. 

After a few moments of focusing upon the clock LDR was aware of the class staring back at him and Penelope Blaise's gaze burrowing into him. It was almost as if she was staring right through him. He checked the time again before rising and slowly moving towards the front of the room. His eyes flickered back to the clock. Opening his mouth, the boy began to stammer the start of his English talk "Uhh...I-I-I-I-I-" And then the bell rang and LDR was off the hook, at least he thought he was off the hook.

It was as he was moving back to his desk, trying to get past his fellow students, that he noted that Miss Blaise was still staring at him. God damn she was scary. He swung his bag across his shoulder, gripping the strap "Uhmmm...I-I-I-Is an-anyth-thing wr-wrong, Mi-Mi-Miss Bl-Bl-Blaise?"

[Penelope Blaise]

There was always a part of the curriculum that required that an oral presentation - it was an important part of the class, one that held a critical part of their grade. Public speaking, whether it be to a class or going in for an interview, was an invaluable asset for any number of people. Even those that were introverted such as herself required it every day simply to speak in front of her class.

Yet students struggled. While Penny laid out the assignment as plainly as she could, few followed basic instructions to the point where she had to wonder if they were prepared at all. It forced a perfectly planned schedule to be practically thrown out the window. It forced the already strict teacher to grow even more stressed.

By the time the last scheduled student was about to present, she knew he hadn't the time to finish. Regardless, the English teacher sat straight in her seat. If he could manage his introduction, she could at least see how prepared the boy really was.

Or really, how ill prepared he was.

He was saved by the sound of a ringing bell, but dark eyes still focused on the usually nervous boy. It was clear he wasn't prepared, it was clear he noticed. When he approached her, she raised her eyebrows in a few moments of silence, allowing the rest of the class to filter out of the room.

"If you do not wish to repeat this class, I recommend you practice this speech." Penelope pointed out. "You are currently failing."

[Lister D. Reynolds]

The boy tightened his grip around the strap, his eyes moving down to the floor "I-I-I-I-I-..." He looked up at her "I-I-I di-di-di-did practice...i-it's ju-just...uhmmm..." For a second their eyes locked and he quickly looked away. Shuffling his feet, the boy gripped his bag until his knuckles turned white. Why did this teacher scare the shit out of him? Why was it that her cold, icy stare made LDR want to run away?

"I-I-I ju-just get ne-nervous...I-I-I-I do-don't like speaking in fro-fro-front of cr-crowds or i-i-in cl-class...Ca-Ca-Can't I-I-I ju-just gi-give you my sp-sp-speech? D-D-D-Do you re-really ne-need to li-li-listen to me st-st-sta-stammer my wa-way through it" The boy looked towards his teacher, trying to gauge any reaction from her "...uhmmm...s-s-sorry if that sou-sounded...uhhmm..." The boy sincerely hoped that Miss Blaise would see his side of this situation. She probably wouldn't but he had to hope, didn't he?

[Penelope Blaise]

It was quite clear that this boy was nervous. He usually was, and his file indicated it wasn't simply nerves that caused for the way he spoke. It made for a mandatory lesson to become much more difficult. It was so much more than what the boy claimed, as he stated he simply didn't like speaking in front of people.

The English teacher was harsh, but not unreasonable.

"Your notes and preparation, please." Penelope asked with a raise of her eyebrows. Her free hand extended outward, palm facing towards the ceiling. "Is this a free period for you?"

[Lister D. Reynolds]

LDR breathed a sigh of relief before fumbling about for his jotter from his bag "Uh...he-he-here you g-g-g-..." In some great feat of shaking hands, LDR managed to miss her hand and drop it upon the floor. After a quick glance up at her, LDR bent down and carefully placed it on her hand "S-S-S-Sorry...Uhmmm, ye-ye-yeah...I-I-I-.." What LDR wanted to say was he did have a free period but wanted to spend it in the music dept as opposed to having to deal with his battleaxe of a English Teacher.

But he did not say that. No he just anxiously shuffled whilst he waited for Miss Blaise to read his english talk. It was particularly long, LDR had made sure of that, and even though it had meant to be on something the writer was passionate about LDR had only written about his power.

[Penelope Blaise]

Penelope watched as the paper slipped from his fingers, not even having managed to make it to her desk. She raised her eyebrows at the boy, expecting him to pick it up. Within moments, he did so. When it was finally handed to her, she felt the shooting pain of an overbearing memory imprinted on the paper. Likely, his nervous nature just then, but with a breath, she suppressed it.

She took a moment to read over it; there was a lot of content. It seemed Mr. Reynolds did make a decent attempt at his speech.

She set the paper down on her desk, looking back up at the nervous boy. "Would you prefer to do your speech in front of your peers tomorrow in class or myself right now?" She asked.

[Lister D. Reynolds]

LDR was positive he saw something pass across Miss Blaise's face when she took the paper, something weird. She seemed to take an Ice Age to read over his speech, leaving him only able to shuffle uncomfortably.

Finally she set down the paper, looking back at him with those eyes that make you squirm. Then she surprised him "Uhmm...I-I-I-I-I-I-I'd pr-pr-prefer t-t-to d-d-do i-i-it no-n-now?" LDR gripped the sleeves of his hoodie, dreading her answer.

[Penelope Blaise]

Penelope had rules; she lived by them and practically breathed them. For a student willing, she would provide help. Mr. Reynolds was nervous, but he hadn't run out of class. As well as his condition, she couldn't rightly deny him the chance to give his speech then and now.

She picked up the paper, extending it towards the boy. "Go ahead." She offered, then, gesturing towards the place he should stand.

"Before you start, take three deep breaths."