"Hello, Mrs. Montgomery," I greeted. I pulled out the chair beside Javier and took my seat. My leg began to bounce up and down from nerves as soon as I tried to relax.
Principal Montgomery smiled. "Good afternoon, how have you been, Elias?"
Whenever a conversation starts with "how have you been?” it usually doesn’t end well.
"Fine," I said quickly but politely.
The principal clicked her tongue on the roof of her mouth. "Alright, on to why I've called you both here today. You two are the top of the class, as I am sure you are both aware of."
Javier nodded and I followed along. Our principal continued, "This is the first year that our county has decided to participate in our annual academic competition. The official name is Thinkfast: Valedictus Duo’s. Basically, they ask eachhigh school in our county to take its top two senior students and enter them in the competition. They will have you compete together in the various subjects against the other schools' top two senior students."
"I'm in," Javier agreed without a second thought.
"I haven't even finished explaining, yet you've already agreed. See, this is why you’re at the top," Mrs. Montgomery said with an encouraging pat on his shoulder. Her gaze fell to me, waiting to see if I would have the same enthusiasm that my rival did. "I have a packet with all of the details about what will happen. You are not required to enter, but I would really love it if you did, Elias."
It surpassingly seemed like something fun. I loved competitions, and this was one that I had a good shot at winning, or at least I felt like I did. Plus, if I won, it could make up for the embarrassing loss of class president. It would show everyone that I was good at something. If I could win Thinkfast: Valedictus Duo’s on top of becoming valedictorian, that would be a dream come true to me.
However, working with Javier made me want to explode. No doubt we would clash too often because of our differing personalities. I did not take well to people trying to boss me around, we would only end up hating each other more.
Mrs. Montgomery continued, "It will look good on your college transcript even if you don't win. If you do win, it'll look even better. Also, Elias, wouldn't it be cool for our school to have its first ever Thinkfast win?"
It would be awesome to say that I was the one to win our school’s first competition. Mrs. Montgomery sure did know how to be convincing, that was for sure. Unfortunately for her I was a very indecisive person.
"Can I think about it?" I asked slowly.
My principal sighed, obviously not liking my answer. Regardless, she kept her composure. She unwrapped a piece of gum and popped it in her mouth.
"Okay, kid," she said between chews. She then opened and began to rummage through one of her drawers. She pulled out two permission slips and handed one to each of us. "You've got two days to decide, and you'll need a signature from one of your parents. Read over the packet before making your decision. If you say no, we can’t enter the competition because ithasto be the two current top students."
I nodded before grabbing the packet and permission slip. I thanked my principal before I quickly left the office, and Javier followed behind me. There were only two minutes left before the bell would ring, so there was no point in going back.
I leaned against some random kids’ locker and inhaled slowly with my eyes shut. I heard rustling next to me, it was Javier.
"I can't believe you didn't jump at the opportunity," Javier said with clear astonishment. I heard what I assumed to be his backpack drop onto the ground.
"Why would I?" I asked dully.
"You seem to love competition."
"I do." I opened my eyes and looked directly at him.
"So let's win.” Javier punched me lightly in the shoulder, his eyes glistening with determination. "Together."
Both of our backs were pressed against the lockers, but we were looking over our shoulders to see each other. He was only a few inches away from me, so close that if I moved I would be touching him.
I sighed. "I work better alone."
"So do I, but we have to do it together to do it at all."
"I don't know that I want to."
There was a pause in conversation. Neither of us said a word as we stood beside each other. Normally I would glare at him while he smirked at me, but not this time. This time we were looking at each other differently. It was a look that I couldn't explain, and for once, I did not dislike the atmosphere between us.
Then our fingers brushed against one another, and my heart did a somersault. It was accidental. Our hands were already close, so when he moved, they collided. However, he didn’t retract his hand and I didn’t retract mine. We weren’t holding hands, the backs of our fingers were simply resting against each other’s. It was such a small interaction, yet it felt like so much more. A small part of me wanted to hold his hand fully; it was the irrational and impulsive side of me.
But that thought disappeared when the bell rang. Javier swiftly dug both of his hands into his pockets and straightened his back. I did the same. It was like we were two kids caught sticking their hands into the cookie jar.
It made me feel…tingly?
