5. the return
2 weeks, zoomed passed in the speed of light. It was the competition day, finally. James has been prepared, but he still didn't feel he studied enough. He felt nervous. But with the cheering of the class as he entered the city hall, he felt like he can do it.
He kept whispering to himself. "You can do this, James!"
He stepped into the hall, leaving the class behind. The hall was very quiet, and large. The hall was big as an aquarium.
James breathed in deeply. He sat on his seat.
He nervously took out his pencil case, and started taking out his pencils. He could feel his hand shake. There were totally 12 pencils. He could see no black ones. He has also brought 2 pens, incase they somehow all break. Seeing his well prepared pencils and tools, and remembering the things he studied, he felt secure, and ready. He smiled. He felt, like he could do this.
* * * * * ** * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Soon, the Judge came in. He was the mayor of the city! James smiled, seeing the man he only saw in pictures on the wall.
He made a long speech about the competition's history, and that everyone should do their best. At the last word of his speech, he pushed a small green button.
A sharp bell ringing came, with a mechanic voice of an woman, saying "the competition starts!"
Everyone started writing. The hall was filled on with the sound of carbon sliding through papers. James picked up a pencil, and started with his name.
J... then, the pencil broke. 'Snap'!
James was shocked. Then he reminded himself. Pencils break all the time! He smiled to himself nervously, and picked up another pencil.
Ja... 'Snap'! The pencil broke in his shaking hand.
No, no, it's my fault. I broke it. He told himself he meant it.
He picked up another pencil.
Jam... 'Snap'!
James stared at it. No, this is impossible.
Jam... 'Snap'! Jame... 'Snap'! James... "Snap"!
James was terrified. No, he broke it. He did. He even threw it away! It's supposed to be in his trash can. Nothing to worry about.
Snap!
Snap!
Snap!
Snap!
Snap!
James, without even looking away from the paper, kept changing pencils, as they all broke helplessly.
No!
He took out his very last pencil. He took his shaking hand holding his last pencil ,and breathed deeply, biting his lips. Then, he moved it onto the paper.
THE END