The Way I Say It

The Way I Say It book cover — The Way I Say It Nancy Tandon Charlesbridge

The Way I Say It — page 1 — For Kate and Vijay the two best characters I'll ever create

The Way I Say It — page 2 — 1 Hello My Name Is I can't say my name Not because it's a secret or anything Honestly I'd shout it into a microphone right now if I could I'd give up anything to be able to do that Even my guitar playing fingertip calluses which took like a million hours to get The first half million hours hurt A lot Go ahead Introduce yourself and tell us one fun thing you did this summer Mrs. Nash repeats as if I'm not answering because I forgot the instructions Standing in front of the class I grip and release the fabric of my mesh shorts I try to take a deep breath but manage only a fluttery gulp I look toward the back of the room and focus on the crammed bookshelf and the ripped beanbag chair in front of it Anything but all the faces staring at me Waiting I glance at the clock When the second hand reaches the ten I'll do it No. I've already been up here too long Get it over with Now Big breath Tense tongue muscles Squeeze the side edges hard against my teeth

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