I took Skye's advice and decided to join the debate team. The room where it was held resembled a college classroom that I saw in the movies.The rows of seats were put behind each other, with enough space to get out of your seat and to walk through,forming a circle. In the middle was a big space with two podiums. There was a seperate desk facing the podiums which I could figure was where the judges sat. It was put in between these rows of stairs that seperated the rows of desks. All the students stared at me as I entered the room but I smiled and said "hi". That managed to soften their expressions.
"Welcome to the first debate team meeting everyone" said a boy with curly black hair and green eyes. His skin was tan. " Well I guess you guys know the deal. Everything has two sides to it, and with enough background information, either one of these two can be right. Sure you're going to hit some impasses, but you may walk out with the thought that you're still right. My name is Marcus by the way and I'm your president. So, who wants to start?"
I instantly raised my hand after he asked the question. He gestured at me with the whole room turning to look at me. I walked to my spot behind the podium and looked at my audience. Their eyes looked down at me making me become nervous.
"Be aware that these are actually auditions or try outs-however you want to call them-so we only accept the best." he said "Now, anyone want to go against her?"
I wondered if he even knew my name. One guy raised his hand. I don't mean to sound prejudice but by his appearance he seemed to be out of place; his boxers in plain view, the bandanna around his head, the tattoo on his arm. But Marcus didn't show any signs of rejecting this guy's decision to face me. Jerome made his way behind the neigboring podium.
"Here's the topic but first, introduce yourselves"
Do I really need to do that? I think the whole world knows who I am
Some of the students rolled their eyes and I saw some start to whisper to each other, looking directly at me. Thus I prove my point.
"Jay Matthews" I said
"Jerome Wilkins" the guy mumbled
When he said his name, the atmosphere got tense. I could see the bewilderment in some of the students' eyes but they tried their best to hide it. Marcus reacted a little but he maintained his composure.
"Here's the common topic we all see in the movies or is just plainly used to start off any debate....well to me. School uniforms, should we have them or no?"
Everyone seemed to relax after he announced this topic.
"Don't be so nonchalant everyone. Every topic will require a lot of thinking and persuasion" he said turning to the audience and then to Jerome and I " Ms.Matthews, pick your side"
I wasn't too sure I had a side. I was sort of a person who was always in the middle. Then why get on the debate team?, I asked myself. I let out a deep sigh.
"I think that school uniforms should not be enforced in some cases."
"And why do you think that?" he asked. The whole room seemed to ask that
"Because not everyone likes to be part of a matched set"
"Yet with school uniforms, people can't classify you by class, social rank, or whatsoever"Jerome pointed out
"That is true but still, you got to admit. Some of us can be quite harsh, and we may find anything to classify a person"
"But you must be conscientious about how some of us are superficial. People won't come up to me so easily because they probably think I'm packing a gun in my back pockets. "
Everyone's stare seemed to verify it. It was sad because what he said, showed a failed attempt to defend himself. There was some tension between these students and Jerome.
"How are you sure they won't think the same thing if you were wearing a uniform? Your own actions may create a reputation for yourself and people might judge you upon that"
Jerome looked me directly in the eye and I instantly recognized him. The boy in the alley. Upon realizing that, the same chill from that night went down my spine. He smiled at me and gestured for me to continue.
"On that note, uniforms won't really solve anything.They won't change what people will think about you."
" But don't they show unity?" I tried not to scoff at this statement.
"I guess so,but just because I'm wearing the same clothes as you does not mean I have to like you. It does not mean that we should be best friends forever. That's how life is. Whatever you do, people will continue finding a reason to dislike you. True unification, is when one person is there for another and they work as a team. And the truth is the truth when it's genuine and it comes from the heart. "
The whole room was struck by this truth. They all looked down in shame. It was the truth. A timer went off and our debate ended. "Okay here are your scores from the judges depending on your debate"
It was judged from a scale of one to ten. I had gotten a nine out of ten. Jerome was only three points behind. He left after a couple of more debates but I chose to stay. I tried to pay attention to the debates but I was constantly thinking about him. It was sort of no surprise to find out that he was the boy in the alley, prepared to seriously sexually assault a girl but then again, he seemed different throughout the debate. He looked like a good kid,but just in the wrong environment. With his intellect, I thought that whatever he was doing with his life , he could do better.
I was starting to like the debate team. The former members were here and they possessed such intelligence, that it was breathtaking. For once during my stay here, I felt like I could finally fit in, but I still had to be accepted. To my utter surprise, they were only accepting three new members. If I had known this, I would've done a lot better.
After the meeting, I found myself in the dark parking lot alone. Damn.
"Nice debate" Marcus said, coming behind me, nearly scaring me to death
"Thanks" I said looking for the headlights of Maxwell's car.
"Is your ride on their way here?" he asked
"I hope so" I said taking out my phone
"I would be happy to wait with you"His voice went from cool to chipper, which made me laugh/
"Thanks" I said, appreciating the chivalry
Silence filled the sound barrier as we both stood there.
"Is there something that I need to know about Jerome?" I asked
"He's not so friendly you can say" he replied, hesitantly. He was being nice.
"He seemed friendly back in the debate room" This was a lie. I just wanted to get something to instigate him so he could tell me.
"He's not friendly. He's......" he let out a big sigh "Nothing. I actually want to thank you"
"For what?"
I looked at him and we met eyes, instantly recognizing his eye color and their resemblance. I smiled at him.
"Your welcome" I said "How is Skye?"
He let out an exhausted breath. "Skye is being Skye. She's quiet, sarcastic......but once you get to know her she's a sweet girl, and I'm not saying that because I'm her brother"
Marcus obviously loved his sister very much and he was a good guy. It took a lot of strength to stand in a room with the could've been assaulter of your sister. I felt like I could learn a lot from Marcus.
"Well I can see the headlights of the famous Mark's car" he said, shading his eyes from the blinding carlights.
"Thanks for waiting for me" I said, getting inside the car
He nodded his head for a 'your welcome', waved and then walked away to what seemed to be his car.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Mr.Lincoln ran in the classroom with a paper in his hand"
"Ms.Matthews! Ms.Matthews!"
He came to me nearly shoving the paper in my face. I gave out a little squeal as I saw my name on the list for new debate team members. Yes! I had finally made a breakthrough.
"I've had much courage in you Ms.Matthews" he exclaimed " I knew you had it in you"
I let out a huge smile. This tense atmosphere was starting to lift.
