Weeks had passed in a blur of practice sessions, late-night strategy meetings, and caffeine-fueled study marathons. Finally, the day everyone had been waiting for arrived, the States Debate Competition. The campus buzzed with excitement as students packed their bags, double-checked notes, and rehearsed opening lines under their breath.
Lina felt a flutter of nerves as she stood in the lobby with her teammates. Her hands gripped her notebook tightly, and her heart raced faster than her thoughts. This was it. Weeks of preparation boiled down to today.
"Hey, you okay?" Evan's voice cut through her swirl of anxiety. She looked up to find him standing casually by the doorway, backpack slung over one shoulder, his usual smirk in place.
"I… think so," Lina admitted, forcing a smile. "Just nervous, I guess. What if I mess up? What if I forget my points? Other colleges did theirs perfectly, what if I let my team down."
Evan stepped closer, lowering his voice to a conspiratorial whisper. "Then I'll remind you. Or at least distract the other team enough for you to shine."
Lina blinked at him, a mix of amusement and disbelief crossing her face. "You… what?"
"Nothing. Just saying… I've got your back," he said, his grin widening, though his eyes held a glimmer of seriousness.
As they walked toward the competition hall, Lina noticed the familiar chaos of college life colliding with the competition energy. Students from different states milled about, practicing rebuttals, adjusting ties and skirts, and occasionally snapping at each other over the tiniest disagreements. Lina felt a rush of adrenaline. This was exactly what she had been waiting for.
Evan leaned closer, whispering in her ear, "By the way, I saw a few of the rival teams. Some of them are… intense. You might want to watch out."
Lina smirked, feeling some of her nerves ease. "I've been preparing for weeks, Evan. I can handle it."
He laughed softly, shaking his head. "I know you can. But it's always more fun when someone else is worrying too."
Lina rolled her eyes but couldn't stop the smile creeping across her face. Somehow, with Evan there, the butterflies in her stomach weren't all anxiety, they were excitement, anticipation… and maybe something else she didn't want to name.
As the announcement came for the teams to take their places, Lina took a deep breath, smoothing her notes and adjusting her blazer. The lights, the audience, the buzz of murmurs, it all felt surreal. She glanced at Evan, who gave her a subtle nod of encouragement.
"Time to shine," he whispered.
And with that, Lina stepped forward, ready to face the stage, the competition, and everything that came with it.
The debate hall buzzed with anticipation as Lina's team stepped up to the stage. Her teammates, Marissa and Darnell, were already arranging their notes and whispering last-minute strategies. Lina adjusted her blazer, took a deep breath, and glanced at the audience. Rows of students from different states were staring intently, and she could already feel the weight of their expectations.
Across the stage, the rival team looked formidable. Their chief speaker, a tall, confident girl with piercing eyes, gave Lina a small, almost smug nod. The intensity in their expressions made Lina's heart pound faster, but she reminded herself: she had prepared for this moment.
The moderator announced the topic: "The impact of technology on society."
Lina's team was speaking against technology. As the chief speaker, it was her responsibility to deliver the opening argument.
She stepped to the microphone, her voice clear but slightly trembling at first. "Ladies and gentlemen, technology has undoubtedly transformed our world. But have these changes truly been for the better?" She paused, scanning the room, and her gaze found Evan in the front row of the audience. He was sitting casually, leaning forward slightly, his hand holding his chin, eyes locked on her. A small, reassuring smile tugged at his lips.
You've got this, his expression seemed to say.
Lina took a deep breath, letting his silent encouragement steady her nerves. "Consider the way technology impacts our social lives. While it promises connection, it often fosters isolation. People are more engaged with screens than with one another. And what of mental health? The rise of social media has coincided with a surge in anxiety and depression, especially among young people."
Marissa chimed in next, following Lina's lead, presenting statistics and examples, while Darnell focused on economic consequences. Lina nodded to them, proud of how well they were coordinating.
The rival team, however, was relentless. Their rebuttals were sharp, their arguments polished. Every time Lina opened her mouth, it felt like a mental chess match, and every time the opposing team spoke, she felt the pressure mounting.
During a brief pause in the proceedings, Lina caught Evan's eye again. This time, he gave her a small thumbs-up, leaning slightly forward in his seat, and mouthed, You're killing it.
Lina felt her confidence swell. She returned to the microphone with renewed energy. "Yes, technology has its benefits, but the negatives are far-reaching. We must ask ourselves, at what cost do these conveniences come? Are we truly progressing, or merely trading human connection for digital convenience?"
By the time her team finished, the hall was buzzing. Some students whispered among themselves, impressed. Lina felt a rush of adrenaline. She had delivered her points clearly, defended them with evidence, and managed to remain composed despite the rival team's intensity.
Evan clapped quietly, trying not to draw attention, but Lina caught his eye again. Her cheeks warmed as she mouthed, Thanks. He winked in response, and her heart did an awkward little flip.
Marissa whispered as they stepped back from the podium, "You were amazing, Lina. Seriously, you made our points sound like we actually thought them through."
Darnell chuckled. "Yeah, you owned it. Chief speaker or not, you were the boss."
Lina smiled warmly. "Come on guys, we did it together."
Lina grinned, though her mind was still flicking between the audience and Evan. The debate wasn't over yet, rebuttals and cross-examinations were coming, but with her teammates supporting her and Evan quietly encouraging her from the crowd, she felt like she could take on anything.
It was time for the rebuttals and cross examination round.
The rival team's chief speaker stepped forward, her posture perfect, voice sharp and confident. "While my opponents argue that technology isolates us, they ignore the unprecedented access to knowledge it provides," she said, gesturing dramatically. "Students can learn from across the globe, people can connect across continents, and critical information spreads faster than ever before. To claim that technology is harmful is not only shortsighted, it is misleading."
Lina listened carefully, her hands gripping the podium. Her mind raced through all the points she had prepared for rebuttals. Okay, deep breaths. Don't let them intimidate you.
She returned to the microphone, her voice steady and clear. "We agree that technology provides access to information, but accessibility does not equal improvement," she countered. "When everyone is bombarded with unfiltered information, it leads to confusion, misinformation, and even manipulation. The quality of knowledge matters more than the quantity. And connectivity does not equal meaningful connection, friends online are not the same as genuine human interaction."
The opposing speaker frowned slightly, clearly annoyed at Lina's confident delivery. Lina caught a glimpse of Evan in the audience. He leaned forward, elbows on his knees, and whispered under his breath, though of course no one could hear him... You're brilliant.
Her cheeks warmed, and she had to bite her lip to stop herself from smiling. Focus, Lina. Debate first, swooning later.
The next speaker from the rival team attempted another rebuttal, but Lina anticipated it. "And to add to that," she said, cutting in smoothly, "while technology has brought conveniences, it has also contributed to a sedentary lifestyle, reduced attention spans, and increased stress. Convenience should not come at the cost of well-being."
Marissa and Darnell shot her thumbs-up from the side of the stage. Lina felt a surge of pride, her team was flowing like a well-oiled machine.
Then came the cross-examination. The rival speaker pointed a finger at Lina, her expression fierce. "So you're saying all technology is harmful?"
Lina smiled, tilting her head slightly. "Not all, just the over-reliance that compromises critical thinking, emotional intelligence, and personal relationships. We aren't Luddites, we're careful observers of the consequences."
The rival team paused, realizing they had underestimated her. Lina's gaze wandered briefly to Evan, who had stood up slightly to get a better view, as if cheering her on without making a sound. Their eyes met for a fleeting second, and Lina felt her heart skip. Okay, not now, focus.
When the round ended, the judges took notes, whispering among themselves. Lina stepped off the podium, exhaling deeply, and found Evan waiting for her near the side. He gave her a playful grin, shaking his head.
"That was… impressive," he said quietly. "You handled them like a pro."
Lina's face flushed. "Thanks… I couldn't have done it without my team." She glanced at Marissa and Darnell, who were high-fiving each other quietly.
Evan leaned a little closer, lowering his voice. "And maybe a little help from me cheering you on?"
Lina blinked, her heart skipping another beat. "You were an amazing cheerleader."
He shrugged, trying to look casual but failing miserably. "You kind of… made it hard not to be."
Lina laughed softly, shaking her head. "You're impossible, you know that?"
Evan smirked. "Yeahhh."
Lina rolled her eyes, but the warmth in her chest betrayed her.
After what felt like an eternity of waiting, the students gathered in the auditorium. The judges had conferred, whispered, and tallied their scores. Lina sat with Marissa and Darnell, her hands clasped tightly in her lap. Her heart raced, like never before.
The moderator stepped to the podium, clearing his throat. "And now, the results of this year's States Debate Competition. In third place… Jefferson University. In second place… Northbridge College. And the first-place winner is… Bright College!"
The hall erupted into cheers. Lina felt herself being swept into a hug by her teammates. "We did it! We actually did it!" Marissa shouted, jumping up and down. Darnell laughed, slapping Lina on the back. "We crushed it. Seriously, Lina you were amazing out there."
Lina grinned, her eyes scanning the audience until they landed on Evan. He was giving her a slow clap and a big, proud smile. Lina's cheeks flushed. She waved, and he winked at her, causing her heart to do a little flip.
As the crowd began to file out, Lina and her teammates made their way toward the side exit, still laughing and teasing each other. Evan appeared next to her as if by magic. "So, the undefeated champion of Bright College," he said playfully, "was that really you up there, or did I imagine it?"
Lina smiled, elbowing him lightly. "That was really me, and yes."
Evan grinned, his eyes sparkling. "I'm just saying, it was hard not to watch. You were… impressive."
"Impressive?" Lina raised an eyebrow, smirking. "I'd say I was phenomenal, thank you very much."
He laughed, shaking his head. "Phenomenal, huh? I'll allow it."
They walked together along the campus pathways, the late afternoon sun casting a golden glow on the college buildings. Lina's laughter echoed as she recounted some of the funny mishaps during the debate, the judge coughing in the middle of a point, Darnell almost dropping his notes, and Marissa's dramatic hand gestures. Evan laughed along, clearly enjoying the chaos.
"Honestly, Lina," he said, his tone softer now, leaning a little closer, "you make winning look effortless. But I also think you make losing fun too… in case that ever happens."
Lina's heart skipped. "I don't plan on losing anytime soon, because you'll be my biggest encouragement." she replied, teasing lightly, but she could feel the warmth of his presence right beside her.
They stopped near the campus café, still buzzing from the victory. Evan looked down at her, eyes glinting with mischief. "You know, I think we should celebrate. Ice cream?"
Lina laughed. "You and ice cream."
He grinned. "It's tradition. Plus, I feel like you deserve a treat after that performance."
She smiled, shaking her head, feeling a flutter she couldn't quite explain. "Fine, but you're paying."
"Of course," he said, offering her his arm. Lina looped hers through his, and for a moment, they walked in comfortable silence, the campus bustling around them, their victory still ringing in the air, and a subtle, unspoken connection growing stronger with every step.