Fear and Bravery

I walked down the street hand in hand with Fear, while Bravery walks ahead of us. Bravery says “Hi” to everyone she passes, while Fear stares at the floor trying desperately to avoid making eye contact. A shadow follows Fear everywhere and a light shines over Bravery. They both know what I am thinking, Bravery gives me a thumbs up, while Fear whispers what ifs in my ear.

Right before my first oral of the year Fear and Bravery sit beside me. Bravery pats me on the back and looks up front. Fear whispers in my ear “You are going to make a fool out of yourself…what if they don’t like you…what if you forget how to say a word…what if you forget everything?” These words send shivers up my spine, and I start to doubt myself. Bravery hears Fear and swats her in back of the head to shut her up. Fear cowards to my side and doesn’t move again until we are called upon. Bravery tells me confidently “Don’t worry bout it Hun, no one will remember by tomorrow, and at least you will have tried.”

At the front of the classroom, I stand in front of what seems to bee millions of people. Fear stands on my right side, and Bravery on my left. I get one last pat on the back and I start my oral. Then I notice all the stares of hatred and ridicule. Fear runs out of the class, and I follow as if there are treads coming out of my finger and toes that are attached to hers. Every move she makes, I make the same.

Bravery chases after us, and starts lecturing us about being babies. We have heard it at lest a thousand times, but this time, it ends differently. Bravery gives up and walks out of our lives forever.

Now I am left sitting in my dark corner, trying to call up Bravery, but she won’t come. So I am left with Fear beside me, whispering, and discouraging me, forever.