Blinded by Fear

"You'll do great." Said my friend. I closed my eyes. "NO!" My friend didn't even flinch. "You hear that? They are cheering for you! They want you." "I'll mess up! I'll freeze! I'll die!" I replied, my voice going up an octave. My friend to my shoulders. "You are great," she said, staring me in the eyes. "You can do this." And as the the announcer announced my name, she said, "You are my friend." 

We embraced, and then I bottled up all my courage and walked up the stairs. 

I looked to the audience but I was not scared. 

I was blinded by the lights but I was not scared.

 I tripped on my shoelaces but I was not scared.

I bowed 

down and low

but 

I

was 

not 

scared.