The next day dawned with a crisp chill in the air, a reminder that the seasons were shifting. David woke up to the sound of the morning bell, his resolve from the previous night still strong in his mind. He got out of bed, stretching and suppressing a yawn, before glancing at Ethan, who was still wrapped up in his blanket like a burrito.
"Wake up, Ethan," David said, nudging his friend. "We've got a quiz to prepare for, remember?"
Ethan groaned, mumbling something unintelligible.
David rolled his eyes and pulled the blanket off him, exposing Ethan to the cold air.
"Alright, alright! I'm up," Ethan grumbled, sitting up and rubbing his eyes. "You're way too energetic for this early in the morning."
Breakfast at the hostel was bustling as usual, with students chatting about the quiz, the Maple House rivalry, and everything in between. David sat with Ethan, Sarah, and Ollie, going over a few last-minute notes while munching on toast.
"You're too tense," Sarah said, giving David a playful nudge. "Relax. You've got this."
"I'm not tense," David replied, though his furrowed brow suggested otherwise. "I just… don't want to give Lucas the satisfaction of thinking we're pushovers."
"Good," Ollie said, nodding. "Because we're not. We've been working hard for this."
The group's banter was interrupted by the sound of Mrs. Carter calling for everyone to finish their meals and prepare for school. David grabbed his bag and followed the crowd out, his heart beating a little faster at the thought of the day ahead.
At school, the energy was palpable. The quiz was still a few days away, but the preparation felt like a battle in itself. Teachers had shifted their focus to drilling students with trivia, and the library was perpetually packed.
David and his friends found a corner in the library, spreading their notes across the table. The smell of old books and the faint sound of pages turning filled the air as they dove into their studies.
"Alright, let's test each other," Sarah suggested, pulling out a stack of flashcards.
"Fine, but don't make it too easy," Ethan said, leaning back in his chair.
Sarah smirked. "Alright, Mr. Confident. Who was the Prime Minister of the UK during World War II?"
"Churchill," Ethan replied quickly.
"Correct," Sarah said, flipping to the next card. "Now for you, David. What year did the Berlin Wall fall?"
"1989," David answered without hesitation.
"Impressive," Sarah said, nodding approvingly.
As the session continued, the group's confidence grew. They quizzed each other relentlessly, interspersing the serious moments with jokes and laughter.
Lunch brought a brief respite. The cafeteria was alive with chatter as students discussed everything from history to pop culture. David grabbed a seat near the window, enjoying the view of the school grounds as he ate.
Across the room, he noticed Lucas sitting with a group of Maple House students. Lucas was laughing, his confident demeanor drawing attention from everyone around him.
"Don't let him get in your head," Sarah said, sitting down beside David.
"I'm not," David replied, though his clenched jaw suggested otherwise.
Sarah gave him a reassuring smile. "You're better than him, David. He just doesn't know it yet."
David nodded, her words bolstering his resolve.
The afternoon passed quickly, with lessons blending into more quiz preparation. By the time school ended, David felt both exhausted and exhilarated.
Back at the hostel, the common room was buzzing with activity. Boys and girls gathered around tables, revising together or simply chatting to unwind. David found himself at a table with Ethan, Sarah, and Ollie, flipping through his notes while munching on a biscuit.
"You know," Ethan said, leaning back in his chair, "this might be the most prepared we've ever been for anything."
"That's because we actually care about this," Sarah replied. "We're not just doing it for ourselves; we're doing it for the hostel."
David nodded. "And to prove Lucas wrong."
"Always about Lucas," Sarah teased, rolling her eyes.
"Hey, he started it," David said defensively.
The group laughed, the camaraderie between them lightening the mood.
As the evening wore on, the common room gradually emptied. David lingered for a while, staring at his notes but not really reading them. His mind was racing, a mix of excitement and nerves.
"David," a voice interrupted his thoughts.
He looked up to see Mrs. Carter standing nearby. Her kind eyes softened as she spoke.
"You're doing great," she said. "But remember to rest. A sharp mind needs a rested body."
David smiled, her words reassuring him. "Thank you, Mrs. Carter."
With that, he packed up his notes and headed to his room.
As he lay in bed that night, staring at the ceiling, David's thoughts drifted to the upcoming quiz. He pictured Lucas's smug face, the crowd cheering, and the moment when Pine Grove would finally claim victory.
"This is it," he thought, his determination burning brighter than ever. "We're going to win."