The break between rounds was shorter than I expected.
Students moved around the auditorium, talking excitedly about the results of Round One.
Perfect score.
I still couldn't believe it.
Ethan and I stepped off the stage and walked toward a quieter area near the side of the hall.
"You solved the fourth question faster than I expected," Ethan said.
"You're surprised?"
"A little."
I crossed my arms.
"You're the one who said we're a team."
He gave a small nod.
"That's true."
For a moment, things felt calm.
Then someone approached us.
The Guy from Westbrook
It was one of the competitors from Westbrook Academy.
Tall.
Confident.
And smiling like he had already won the entire competition.
"Hey," he said casually.
I recognized him immediately.
He had been sitting at the desk across the stage during Round One.
"You're Lena, right?"
"Yes."
He smiled a little wider.
"I'm Daniel. Westbrook Academy."
He didn't even look at Ethan at first.
"You solved that last question really fast," he continued. "Impressive."
"Thank you."
He leaned slightly closer.
"You know… if you ever get tired of carrying your partner, you should join our team."
I blinked.
Was he serious?
Before I could respond, Ethan spoke.
"She's not carrying anyone."
Daniel finally looked at him.
"Oh, you must be Ethan."
His tone sounded friendly.
But his eyes said something different.
"I was just complimenting her," Daniel said.
Ethan didn't move.
"Then you're done."
There was a short silence between them.
Daniel looked back at me.
"I meant what I said though," he added with a grin. "You're impressive."
I could already feel where this conversation was going.
And it was getting awkward.
"I'm fine with my team," I said.
Daniel laughed lightly.
"Fair enough."
Then he shrugged.
"Good luck in Round Two."
Before leaving, he gave me one last look.
"Try not to let him slow you down."
Then he walked away.
After He Left
The moment he was gone, Ethan exhaled quietly.
"You didn't have to say anything," I said.
"He was being annoying."
I couldn't help smiling slightly.
"Were you defending me?"
"I was defending our team."
"Right."
But the way he said it made me wonder.
For a moment, Ethan looked a little irritated.
Not competitive irritated.
Something else.
Round Two Begins
The speakers in the auditorium turned on again.
"Participants, please return to the stage."
The audience quieted immediately.
Ethan and I walked back to our desk.
Across from us, Daniel from Westbrook sat down with his partner.
He glanced at me and gave a small confident smile.
Ethan noticed.
"Focus," he said quietly.
"I am."
The screen behind us lit up again.
"Round Two will now begin."
The first question appeared.
Harder than the last round.
Much harder.
I leaned closer to Ethan.
"What do you think?"
He studied the problem carefully.
Then said quietly,
"This one is tricky."
"Good tricky or bad tricky?"
"Good."
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"We can solve it."
The timer started.
Ten minutes.
The real competition had begun again.
And this time…
Everyone was trying harder to win.