Speaking Up - What?!

Today, although stressful, was a good day. I had a vocab quiz first period, which was strange because our quizzes are usually every Friday...but there was a complication (actually it was more like a simplification) and it was pushed to Monday. I realized as I was finishing the quiz that I was supposed to ask my english teacher about passive voice for my spanish teacher. Even though my english teacher is a frail pushover, I become nervous talking to anyone unfamilar, big or small, male or female. I could feel my heart rate increasing at the mere idea of opening my mouth...but while she was collecting the quizzes, I asked her. She seemed pleasantly surprised that I was talking...and when I raised my hand twice during class (because I happen to like Lord of the Flies), she was beaming, She even asked me to elaborate on my ideas and questioned me further; I think she was somewhat in shock.
I answered a bunch of questions in spanish & algebra class too. Most of the time I know the answer in algebra, although it's a junior class, I just...don't want to talk. I don't know what made me raise my hand like I did today. Maybe I was subconsciously preparing for the presentation I had to give in insights. The thought of talking for for ten minutes in front of more than 20 people had plagued me all weekend. I had bizarre dreams about it and made myself sick with worry. It wasn't that I thought my project was bad; on the contrary, I was proud of it. But that didn't mean I wanted to announce it to everyone. I had to, though, if I wanted to pass, which I did...the situation was inexorable. But...I did...fine? Wow. I mean, I did pretty good. I did really good. I was nervous and shaking, but I got my ideas across coherently aside from the stutters. I think Blanc has a soft spot in his heart for quiet people, considering he was once one himself. He seems like he doesn't have any soft spots at all, but he's admitted to it before. As much as I hate the fact that his class is one big popularity contest, I appreciate that he seemed to understand even if he didn't say anything specifically to me. The message sort of emanated from him.
People were telling me afterwards that I did really well and I didn't seem as nervous as they all knew I was.
Gosh I hope so.