The week seemed to blur together. Every day, our group met in the study room, piecing together strategies and fine-tuning our approach. What started as casual practice had slowly turned into real preparation.
And then, at last, Tuesday, October 3rd- the eve of the competition- arrived.
We gathered one final time for our last meeting before everything began.
The classroom felt different that day- quieter, more focused. The chatter that usually filled the room had softened into murmurs as everyone reviewed notes or double-checked their assigned rounds. The air carried a mix of excitement and nerves, the kind that came before something big.
Ashley Boone stood near the whiteboard, a marker in hand, going over the final lineup.
"Alright, everyone," she began, her tone steady but warm. "Tomorrow's the big day. We've practiced, we've discussed, and I know we're ready. So today's about tightening up the last details."
Miles Dalton leaned back in his chair, smiling faintly. "Feels strange that it's already here, huh?"
Noah Jackson's nodded. "Yeah. It doesn't feel real yet."
A few people laughed quietly, easing the tension a bit. I could feel it too — that strange mix of disbelief and anticipation.
Ashley Boone moved on, outlining the final plan. "We'll meet tomorrow morning before the first match. Remember, Group 26 first, then Group 12, and after lunch, Group 10. Everyone knows their rounds, right?"
Heads nodded around the circle. She glanced around and smiled slightly.
"Good. Just stay calm and trust your instincts," she said. "That's what'll carry us to victory."
We spent a little while going over last-minute details- who would cover for whom if someone got sick, how to handle tie-breakers, and even small things like what time to meet before the competition began.
When everything was said and done, Ashley Boone set down the marker. "That's all from me. I just want to say- no matter how far we go, I'm proud of how much we've all put into this. We started as strangers, but we've become a real team."
There was a moment of silence, followed by a few claps and light laughter. The mood softened again, and people began chatting about snacks, music, and what they planned to wear tomorrow.
As we packed up to leave, the evening sun streamed through the window, painting the desks in shades of orange and gold. I paused by the door, glancing back at the group — at Miles joking with Noah, at Ashley erasing the whiteboard, at the quiet buzz of energy that filled the air.
Tomorrow would be the real test.
But for the first time in a long time, I felt ready.
As I stepped out of the room after the meeting wrapped up, the hallway was bathed in the soft glow of the setting sun. The last rays filtered through the windows, stretching long shadows across the floor.
Near the entrance, I spotted Emilia, leaning casually against the wall with her bag slung over one shoulder. She straightened when she saw me.
"Everything's set for tomorrow," she said with a small smile.
I nodded, and answering with a calm tone. "Tomorrow's the big day for us."
She nodded, her eyes gleaming with excitement. "I know. Guess we'll just have to see if we cross paths in the knockout rounds.'
I smiled back. "That'd be something."
We walked out together into the cooling evening, the campus quieting down around us- both of us thinking about what tomorrow might bring.
Side by side we passed through the entrance gate. The air was calm, the sky brushed in soft orange, fading slowly into twilight.
Neither of us spoke for a while- there wasn't much left to say. Tomorrow would begin the real thing, and whatever happened next, it felt like something was about to change.
At the end of the street, Emilia turned to me with a light grin.
"See you on the other side — maybe in the knockout rounds."
I smiled faintly. "Yeah. I'll be looking forward to it."
She waved once before heading down the street, her silhouette fading into the sunset glow.
I watched her go for a moment before turning toward my own path home. The day had been long, but for the first time in years, I felt a quiet steadiness settle inside me.
Tomorrow, everything would begin.