Age:
Middle School
Reading Level: 3.3
Chapter 1
“So Erin, how did you feel when you found out about your friend’s looming marriage?” the radio jockey asks.
Her bored eyes don’t even look at me. But she sounds excited.
Maybe because the audience can hear her even if they can’t see.
She repeats: “How did you feel when you found out that she was going to become a victim of child marriage?”
“Shocked,” I reply for probably the hundredth time.
I’ve given so many interviews on this that I’ve lost count. “I felt completely helpless too.”
I feel like a parrot, repeating the same things over and over. All the interviewers ask the same questions.
They’re like parrots too.
Chapter 2
The radio jockey nods. “But you still figured out what to do! And you did it all by yourself!”
Uneasiness ties knots in my stomach. Being in the spotlight like this…it’s so unnerving even on the radio. I’ve done this before but still…
I take a deep breath and reply, “Thank you, but I can’t take all the credit. I learnt about the solution at school. And, of course, the support of my parents and Vidya Auntie and Rao Uncl—”
She cuts me off. “That’s very humble of you! But you deserve credit too, Erin. It was very brave and clever to contact the police. You’re amazing!”
Ugh! Please stopppp! I think.
But I don’t say it. Instead, I say, “I-I’m really not that amazing…Besides, Vennela’s my best friend. And she told me that we can do wonders if we care enough about someone.”
“That’s so selfless and kind! Most people wouldn’t bother about others. Especially a maid’s daughter,” she says.
“T-Thanks…”
She finally looks at me and smiles. “You’re welcome, Erin! Before you leave, would you like to say anything to the thousands of young people out there?”
Ugh! There it is again. That horrible question. It’s like a heavy burden that I should carry alone.
If I could say anything in the world to anyone, what would I say?
Nothing!
I’ve done countless interviews in the last year. But that hasn’t automatically made me good in social situations.
I’m just not cut out for being the center of attention. Vennela is. Dad is. They can give speeches and talk to strangers in a charming way.
Can I do that?
Impossible!
Chapter 3
The worst thing is when the interviewers remind me of the “thousands” of listeners or viewers. My heart goes crazy. My mouth suddenly fills up with saliva.
I feel choked. My hands and feet vibrate like a mobile phone. I almost forget English—though I’m from the UK.
You don’t need an actual stage to feel stage fright!
“You’re like a role model for the youth now!” The jockey puts more pressure on me with her horrible words. “Is there anything you’d like to say to our young listeners?”
“N-n-no…” I manage to say.
The interviewer looks disappointed. She ends the show soon.
“Good job, honey!” Dad almost yells when I walk out of the recording room.
I lower my head and walk to him quickly. “Stop lying, Dad. It was just as horrible as all the other interviews.”
“What!” Dad sounds genuinely surprised. “Why would you say that? None of your interviews are horrible!”
“Well, they definitely feel horrible to me,” I say. “That’s it, Dad. I never want to do another interview about this—or anything—ever again. Ever. Ever. Ever.”
“All right. There’ll never be another interview.” Dad puts his arm around me and rubs my shoulder. “Never. Never. Never.”
I can’t help but giggle. Dad has such a way with words!
They should have interviewed him.
