Anxiety

I found a writing prompt that I like so I decided to give it a go. It's an exercise in showing vs. telling emotions. I think I did all right.
The first part of the exercise had me write a poem but it wasn't very good, so I left it behind. This is the finished result of Socialpolitan.com Writing Prompt: Emotion Expressed


Anxious I stand on the rear of the stage, next in line to speak. My eyes stay down, not willing to see any of the people around me. I twitch and fidget under their eyes already; I'd cower if I actually had to look at them. The thumping of my heart in my ears is out of sync, racing and slowing. It's the only sound I can hear. The rest of the orators are a blur in my ears, I can only think of my own words. But I can't hear my own words over the sound of my heart.
My body is hot. I wonder if the people around me can smell my nerves. Another wave of heat rushes over me because of this thought and then my worry is doubled. I try to inspect myself, focus on my own smell, but I'm too distracted by the heavy perfume of the woman standing three people behind me. The heat around my collar cools itself as I breathe deep, in and out, slowly through my mouth because my nose is completely congested from the dust in the back stage.
The hair on my head starts to tingle, making me want to scratch. I have to resist, to try and keep still, so as not to distract the watchers. I keep breathing. My mouth is dry, stale like the coffee and cigarette I had before I took my place in line. I swallow, the sticky feeling staying in my throat.
The drumming in my ears quiets enough for me to hear the applause. It's my turn. The nerves can go away, there's no need to be anxious. This is what I love.
Calm rushes over me. I can hear every sound around me; the clicking of my shoes on the stage is the sharpest and sounds solid. My head is held high, I meet the audiences' eyes. The smell of the oak podium and the pages of paper fill me. The podium is cool under my hands. I sip a bottle of water to wash the nerves out of my mouth. Before I begin my speech, I remind myself that I'm only anxious because I'm ready.