Late nights

XXIV

- Why is that, I wonder, - Tom started thinking, - Why are all the top player's men?

- Honestly, I wish I knew. Maybe it's just chance because there's less of them?

- But if you think about it, - Tom sat down, - women aren't less intelligent, they aren't less smart, less capable or worse at chess, so why are there so few of them at the top?

- I have no idea, but hey, maybe one day that'll change. Actually, now that we started talking about rakings and championships, I'm going to the state championship to defend my title. It's an open championship and I think you could join me and play some games. It's near here, so we won't even need to drive.

- Sure, can't see why not. 

- Great, - Lola smiled, - it's next week and we have a lot of stuff to learn if you want to be second.

- Second?

- Well, I plan on being first. - Lol sarcastically said.

- We'll see about that. - Tom laughed.

Lola was smiling throughout the whole process of teaching Tom and giving him different chess puzzles. 

Tom didn't feel like he was ready for the championship, but he was ready to give it a shot. 

The day before the tournament he spent the day in Emily's dorm with her and Caroline.

- Sure, everything follows the laws of physics, except bees, they don't care about physics. - Caroline was blazed. Emily was smoking a regular cigarette.

- What do you wanna do after school? - Emily asked Tom out of the blue.

- I haven't decided, to be honest. Maybe something with physics, maybe engineering or chemistry. Something there should be pretty fun. I feel like I should've already decided at this point, but I haven't.

- Well, listen, we're in the same boat then, I haven't decided either. - Emily was sitting on the windowsill with the window open to let out all the smoke and smell. - Caroline does, though.

- I only have a vague idea, not an actual plan. I wanna do arts.

- Of course, you do. - Tom chuckled.

- What do you mean?

- Nothing, you just seem like the person to study arts.

- What is that even supposed to mean?

- I don't know, Caroline. It's just a feeling, a vibe of sorts. 

- Alright, - Emily stood up, - I have to go.

- Where are you going? - Emily calmly asked.

- To my girlfriend, we had plans tonight, so I gotta go. Yeah, see you two tomorrow. - Carlone sprayed some perfume.

- Tom has plans for tomorrow, but we'll meet tomorrow. - Emily said.

- Well yeah, obviously, we live together. See you later. - She closed the door. 

Caroline went into the hallway and saw Violet reading a history:

- What's up V? What are you reading there? - She asked.

- Reading up about Japan and kamikazes.

- Cool, cool. Do you believe in heaven? - Caroline asked a random question.

- I'm not sure, I haven't been there yet.

- Yup, I'm not going there anywhere. Where do you think kamikazes went after they blew up?

- Everywhere... - Violet said holding a serious face.

- That's not...Yeah, sure, of course. Okay, well, good luck with history. - Caroline walked away.

Tom hang out a little bit more with Emily before going home to sleep.

- Never knew she was gay, - Tom stood up, - anyway, I'm gonna go home now. See you sometime later.

- You never know. Bye, good luck with the thing tomorrow, I forgot what it is but that doesn't matter.

Tom went home and got some rest before the tournament. He met up with Lola in the morning and they headed to the main hall to start playing. There weren't as many people as there were in Dubai. Everyone here knew who Lola was and immediately came to greet her.

- Lola, hey, - a guy walked up, - how are we feeling today?

- We're feeling great, - Lola smiled, - ready to defend my title. Actually, I'm not alone this time. Caleb, meet Tom, and Tom, meet Caleb.

- Nice to meet you, sir. - Tom shook his hand.

- That's nice, you got yourself an apprentice. You're thinking of retiring or something? - The man laughed.

- Never. Okay, when are we starting? I'm getting excited.

- Just a couple more minutes.

Tom and Lola sat down to wait for the start. Tom was slightly nervous, while Lola felt nothing but excitement. She showed Tom the person that taught her and introduced him to almost everyone there. Soon after, the first games started. Tom and Lola both won their first games. It was the first official win for Tom, so he was pretty excited.

- Worried about anyone? - Tom whispered to Lola.

- Not really. I'd say Paul, but he taught me, so I know all his tricks and maybe Jason a little bit because he's been the runner-up a couple of times. But we'll see. Winning isn't the main reason why I'm here.

- I thought it was, What's the main reason then? - Tom got interested.