"How are you feeling, Ruston?" Thorold asked as he walked into the school auditorium. His friend gulped and turned even paler th
an usual while Thorold smiled and shook hands with each student he passed.
"I'm not feeling too well, actually," admitted Ruston. "Why did I sign up to perform my comedy routine at the talent show? The entire senior class will be watching and waiting for me to make a fool out of myself." Billiana waved from across the room and hurried to join them.
"This looks like a tough crowd," Billiana told her friends. "Everyone is nervous about final exams, and they don't seem to be in the mood for a talent show. We support you all the way, though!" Ruston groaned out loud, and Thorold patted him on the shoulder sympathetically.
"Hang in there, buddy," said Thorold. "Performing in front of a crowd is the best feeling there is! Billiana and I are going to find our seats. Don't worry—at least two members of the audience will be laughing at your jokes!" Ruston smiled weakly and pulled his notes out of his pocket. He tried to rehearse his comedy routine, but he was distracted by the students milling around him. Suddenly, a familiar face emerged in the crowd, and he felt his heart stop.
"If it isn't Avery High's very own comedian," Mariliste said with a sneer. "Please tell me you aren't planning to bore us with your lame jokes."
"You should be worried about your own performance," replied Ruston. "Someone told me that you were nearly booed off the stage last year."
"Well . . . I'd rather not talk about that," she muttered, her face bright red. The student body president stepped up to the podium and announced that Mariliste would perform first in the talent show. She looked around nervously before walking onstage. As she began her flashy gymnastics moves, an unfriendly silence filled the auditorium.
"This is not a good sign," Thorold whispered to Billiana
"The other students don't look happy," she agreed. "I know Mariliste isn't the nicest person in school, but I hate for anyone to feel humiliated. The least we can do is cheer for her when she's finished."
As Mariliste completed her last backflip and took a bow, Billiana and Thorold jumped to their feet and began cheering with as much enthusiasm as they could muster. The other students followed their lead and began clapping and stomping their feet on the bleachers.
"It looks like you were a big hit," Ruston said as Mariliste joined him behind the stage. She blushed and shook her head.
"Please thank your friends for me," Mariliste told him. "I know they are the only reason anyone cheered for me. I'm looking forward to watching your routine, Ruston. I know you'll do a great job." Ruston smiled at her and slipped his notecards into this pocket as he approached the microphone.
"So what's the deal with the principal scheduling our lunch breaks right after biology lab?" he asked, launching into his routine with a newfound confidence. His heart nearly burst with pride as the audience cheered and laughed after every punch line. Even Mariliste, standing backstage where no one could see her, managed a small smile.
4
The passage reveals that Thorold is
A.
impressionable.
B.
aggressive.
C.
self-involved.
D.
outgoing.
