Chapter 16: Let's Make a Deal
971 Words
If there was one thing Kingsley Academy loved more than drama, it was competition.
The morning after the assembly, the entire school was talking about the Academic Challenge.
Students discussed it in classrooms.
In hallways.
In the cafeteria.
Even teachers seemed excited.
For most students, it was just another school event.
For others, it was an opportunity.
And for a select few...
It was war.
Ava learned that before first period had even started.
She had barely entered the classroom when she heard Noah's voice.
"Ten dollars says Ethan wins."
"Twenty," Liam replied.
Jace looked up from his book.
"You two are gambling on an academic competition."
"No," Noah corrected. "We're investing."
Ava shook her head as she passed them.
"You're all weird."
"Thank you," Noah said proudly.
Ava sat down and pulled out her notebook.
The classroom buzzed with conversation until their teacher entered carrying a stack of papers.
Immediately, students became interested.
Whenever teachers carried papers, somebody's future was usually involved.
"Good morning."
"Good morning, ma'am."
The teacher placed the papers on her desk.
"As most of you know, registration for the Academic Challenge begins today."
Excitement spread across the room.
Several students sat straighter.
Others exchanged nervous looks.
The teacher continued.
"The first stage will be an academic debate."
That surprised Ava.
A debate?
She had expected written exams.
Research projects.
Maybe presentations.
Not a debate.
Around the room, students reacted similarly.
Some looked excited.
Others looked terrified.
One boy actually lowered his head onto his desk.
"I'll fail."
"You haven't even participated yet," someone pointed out.
"I'll fail in advance."
The class laughed.
The teacher ignored them.
"The debate will test critical thinking, confidence, reasoning, and public speaking. Participation is voluntary."
A hand immediately shot up.
Nobody needed to see who it belonged to.
Ethan Blackwood.
The teacher smiled.
"Yes, Ethan?"
"I'd like to register."
The room wasn't surprised.
Not even a little.
Of course he would.
Competitions were practically part of his DNA.
The teacher nodded and made a note on her paper.
Several students immediately began whispering.
Ava could already hear predictions forming.
Ethan would win.
Ethan always won.
The usual.
Then the teacher looked around.
"Anyone else?"
For a moment, nobody moved.
Then Ava raised her hand.
The room froze.
A few students actually turned around in their seats.
The teacher blinked.
"Ava?"
"I'd like to register too."
The silence somehow became louder.
Across the room, Noah sat up.
Liam looked entertained.
Even Jace looked interested.
Ava ignored all of them.
Why shouldn't she register?
She'd worked just as hard as everyone else.
Maybe harder.
The teacher smiled.
"Very well."
Another name was added to the list.
And just like that, the rumors began again.
---
By lunch, the entire school knew.
Naturally.
Ava was carrying her tray toward an empty table when two girls hurried past her.
"Did you hear?"
"About the debate?"
"Of course."
"Who do you think wins?"
The conversation continued as they disappeared into the crowd.
Ava sighed.
At this point, she wasn't even surprised anymore.
She sat down and began eating.
Unfortunately, peace lasted less than thirty seconds.
Someone pulled out the chair opposite her.
Ava looked up.
Ethan.
Interesting.
Very interesting.
He rarely approached people.
Especially her.
For a second, neither spoke.
Then Ethan glanced at her tray.
"That's your lunch?"
Ava looked down.
"What about it?"
"It's small."
Ava narrowed her eyes.
"Did you come here to criticize my food?"
A tiny smile appeared on his face.
"No."
"Good."
"Because there are easier targets."
Ava almost laughed.
Almost.
Ethan leaned back in his chair.
"You signed up."
"So did you."
"That's not an answer."
Ava folded her arms.
"Maybe I wanted to."
Ethan studied her for a second.
Then nodded.
"Fair enough."
The conversation should have ended there.
Instead, Ethan surprised her.
"Let's make a deal."
Ava frowned.
"What kind of deal?"
"If we both make it to the final round..."
He paused.
"...no excuses."
Ava blinked.
"No excuses?"
"No blaming luck."
"No blaming judges."
"No blaming circumstances."
The confidence in his voice was almost annoying.
Almost.
Ava leaned forward.
"And when exactly am I supposed to make these excuses?"
"When I beat you."
There it was.
The arrogance.
She'd been wondering where it went.
Ava smiled.
"You sound very confident for someone in second place."
Ethan stared.
Ava smiled wider.
Across the cafeteria, Noah nearly fell out of his chair.
Liam covered his face.
Jace looked exhausted.
The damage had been done.
Ethan shook his head slowly.
Then laughed.
Actually laughed.
The sound surprised both of them.
"See you in the final, Ava."
With that, he stood and walked away.
Leaving Ava strangely unsettled.
Not because of what he'd said.
Because for the first time...
The rivalry felt real.
---
The following afternoon, registration officially closed.
Students crowded into the auditorium while teachers prepared the announcement.
Excitement filled the room.
Everyone wanted to know who had qualified.
The principal stepped onto the stage.
The room quieted immediately.
He smiled.
"Thank you for your enthusiasm."
A few students groaned.
The speech had started.
The principal continued anyway.
"After reviewing applications, the debate competition will proceed next week."
Whispers spread through the auditorium.
Ava felt her stomach tighten.
Next week.
Already.
The principal raised a hand.
"However..."
The room became silent.
"There is one important rule."
Ava didn't like the sound of that.
The principal smiled.
"The debate champion will be awarded a direct qualification into the final stage of the Academic Challenge."
Excitement exploded through the room.
Then came the second announcement.
The important one.
The dangerous one.
"And only one student can win."
Silence.
Pure silence.
Ava looked across the auditorium.
At the exact same moment, Ethan looked back.
Neither smiled.
Neither looked away.
Because suddenly, this wasn't just another competition.
It was their next battle.
- Writer
