By the time all of us made it to Strasbourg, there were two lost suitcases, six wandering student delegates, and two very confused, maps exactly to check supervisors, roaming the streets of Strasbourg, France in search of the infamous budget hotel Cap Europe.

Overall, a good start considering, that at least we had not lost anyone along the way. Yet.

"How are you, Clara?" William was everywhere. Or, was it just because I appeared to be the only person, he somehow managed to uphold an entire conversation with? No clue! Yet, it was really getting overwhelming, how he refused to get out of my hair.

Everyone was on their toes and in a rush the morning of the big debate battle. One collective attempt to mend the make-up situation, within the girl's group in front of the elevator mirror later, we were somewhat elegant, just in time. My nerves were quite frazzled. The bags under my eyes were starker than I wished but masterfully disguised with the help of my carry-on make-up kit.

"Here come, our ladies!" I registered a playful remark from Alexander Begazhev, head of our school's debate team. The was the kind of guy, you would accept to see in the White House one day - out to change the world 24/7. It made sense, for him to be here, much more than it did with me.

The outfit I had chosen for the occasion was a white blouse, navy blue coat, and matching, slim pants. Around my neck, a neat bow was the school's uniform scarf. We were all expected to dress to impress and act to represent. My naturally messy and all-over-the-placed, chocolate brown hair, was tied up in a tight bun, leaving my undoubtedly nervous face and sparkling blue eyes exposed to the world.

My stomach was a nervous rack, and that is when I sensed him behind me, before anyone else. William. Bow and tie complemented the demure, which resembled a 70-year-old man, far more than a high school, nerd. In less than half an hour, we were all expected, to flawlessly represent our State, School, and most importantly - ourselves. In for the win.No pressure!

"Just remember ..." William whispered in my ear. " Our only two directions are up and forward!"

Oddly enough, these were the only words that managed to make me get myself together and lift, my chin proudly.

The Louise Weiss building. was named after Louise Weiss, a French former member of the parliament, and located in the Wacken district of Strasbourg, south of Schiltigheim, between the 1920s workers' suburban colony (Cité ouvrière) Cité Ungemach and the 1950s buildings of the Strasbourg fair, some of which had to be torn down to make way for the Immeuble du Parlement européen 4, its formal name. Built at a cost of 3.1 billion French francs at the intersection of Ill and the Marne-Rhine Canal, it houses the hemicycle for plenary sessions.

Since I aspired to become a prominent architect one day, the history of the building was the most fascinating part of our tour for me, and everything they told our curious group I'd already read and left played out, like a movie in my head. That, however, did not stop me from feeling insignificantly miniature standing in its glass-covered halls with indoor vertical gardens.

The morning session required us to be divided into focus groups, according to the prepared issue to fight over. This meant, that William was mixed up with, a good 200 more Ecology warriors from all the other represented States and schools. Somehow, in this impressive mix, I ended up being nominated for speaker.

Then a dark-haired Harry Potter lookalike walked up to me, introduced himself as Frank Snitzen, and tossed the nosiest question a stranger can dare, to ask.

"So... How long have you two been a couple and how awkward, is it to be here with your boyfriend, miss Speaker?"

I glared at the boy in front of me, lost for words, glaring and startled. I had no idea if my face is a brighter red, or if William, who overheard it all and, his burning cheeks, took the gold! I wasn't altogether sure, what to make of his emotions. To my surprise, although William was blushing, his expression seemed calm and satisfied.

After the first work session, I had misplaced somehow all my notes and had to recreate the entire presentation, from memory.
Alexander, gave the  oral essay, while Christina and Will, split the crisis- resolving and proposal for change,  portion  of the  tasks.
We all  were  committed to  overcome the obstacles in our way.

With the success that clearly surprised us all, I owed the stage, and that bubbling nervousness in my stomach was, no longer a factor, by the time I stepped down from the platform. I ended up being our school's pride and joy!