We have two weeks to prepare for the semi-final round of the quiz bee competition. The mechanics of the competition are all the same to all levels. The ten contestants from each level will compete among each other; they will be given 10 sets of question from different subjects and they have 10 seconds to answer it, if the question is a math or science problem they will be given 30 seconds to solve it and write their answer before the time expires. Each contestant will be provided with short-bond size acetate paper because each contestant's answer will be shown in to the audience through a big screen. Each batch are allotted an hour so the competition will last for 4 hours. The first top 5 students from each batch will be announced right away right after each program and they will move on to the final round of the competition after a few weeks.
Weeks' prior to the competition is not very easy because after the regular class I have to study more. Sometimes I have to study in the library with my fellow contestant from our batch after class and sometimes I just go straight home to study on my own. During these weeks, I can't hang out with my friends in the mall or somewhere else but I do catch up with them during canteen breaks.
Most of the times, I am studying by myself in the library. I hide from them and they could not find me because I always sit in the far corner of the library where there are a lot of books to cover me. I always wear my earphones and listen to some relaxing music while I am reading so I cannot be bothered if someone is chatting or gossiping around the library. One day, someone from my behind put a cold drink in my desk. When I turn around, I saw Gilbert standing behind my chair. I remove my earphones and say, "Sorry, I have reserve the desk for myself." He says, "I don't mean to invade your privacy, I just want to give you this drink!" I said, "Ahm, sorry but I didn't order for any drink." He said, "I know but I want to give it to you, I thought you might be thirsty and could save you time to go out and buy a drink for yourself." Before I said anything again, he said, "I hope you still drink pink milk tea because I remember this is what you order last year." I said, "Thank you, how much do I owe you?" He said, "Don't worry about it but is it okay to ask you a favor?" I said, "Ahm, as long I can do it." He said, "Can I share the table with you because I could not find any free table in the library at this point. Promise, I wont bother you...a lot!" And then I look at the milk tea he bought for me and said, "Okay, we can share the table together." He sat in front of me and I was like OMG, does he really needs to sit in the front of me?
I put back my earphones and go back in my reading and pretending to be reading because honestly I am now distracted by Gilbert's presence. I am wondering what is he doing at the moment. Is he staring at me? I keep turning the pages of the book every second and suddenly I heard someone talk and I knew though it was him, so I remove my earphones and said, "Did you say something?" He said, "Do you really read that fast?" I said, "No, I actually read them before, I am just trying to read every pages again." He said, "Your milk tea is melting, you may want to have a sip or something?" He sips his milk tea so I sip mine and give him a quick smile.
After a while, I start to relax. Sometimes, we exchange quick glances at each other. I try not to look at him though but I can sense he is staring at me using my peripheral vision. After a few minutes or so, someone comes to our desk and directly approach him. I can recognize her. She was his partner the Miss United Nation. She asks Gilbert, "How come you are alone here? We were looking for you. Aren't you going to join the study group?" Gilbert said, "I thought I want to be alone for the moment because I need to focus for the quiz bee competition it's happening soon." She said, "I see, but you are not alone! You are sharing a desk with a junior." She is staring at me while talking. I pretend I didn't hear what she said. Gilbert said, "Actually, Toni was here before me and I could not find any available table so I asked Toni if I can share the table with him." She said, "Is that right?" I didn't realize she is asking me so she repeats the question while she comes closer to my face '"Is that right?" I said, "I am actually leaving. You can have the table to yourself". So I pack my things and but before I left, I drink the milk tea one last time and try to come closer to Gilbert's face and said, "Thanks again for the milk tea, you know my favorite!"
Today is the semi-final round of the quiz bee competition. It's a busy day at school. The auditorium is already filled with students, staff and teachers. The contestant will be sitting in the front while waiting for their turn to come up. The program will start by singing the national anthem, follow by a short speech from the director of the school and finally the host of the program will introduce the panel of judges and explain the mechanics and rules of the competition. The first students who will be going up to the stage and start the competition is from the freshman level, question and answer portion will run for an hour and announcement of the top five follows quickly. Sophomore follows after and so on.
The crowd is cheering and making a lot of noise inside the auditorium.
I am relaxed throughout the competition. I may not be too confident if I would make it to the top five but I think I have prepared enough for today's semi-final round of the competition. I am not most likely to win but I wish to at least make it to the final round.
Finally, junior's level time to come up to center stage. Still sitting in the audience in the front of the stage we are waiting for our names to be called before we can come up to the stage and take our sits. Someone tap my shoulder from behind and another student pass me a note. It was sealed. I open the note and it says, "Good luck, break a leg!" The note came from Gilbert. I turn around and saw him staring at me in the next row. I smile and said, "Thank you!"
I was able to answer 8 items correctly out of the 10 questions. Not everybody got a perfect score. And I am very lucky to make it to the top 5. So it means, I am moving on to the final round of the competition. I am the last person to be called in the top five lists so everybody cheers for me when they heard my name.
Gilbert also made it to the top five and will move on to the final round under the senior's level competition. Being the most popular guy in the campus right now, it is not surprising anymore for the loud cheering and noise of his fans when they hear his name for the finals.
Right after the program, people are starting to leave the auditorium. Contestants are gathering outside particularly those who made it to the top five, surrounded by friends and making some little cheering. I saw Gilbert from a distance with his friends and his fans. I want to approach him and personally say thank you for the note and to congratulate him as wells. But I don't think I will get the chance to do it so I thought next time I will have the opportunity to do it when he is no longer busy. My friends and I left and decided to go to the mall and celebrate.