3:30 P.M. Room 2: Group 11 vs Group 27
The afternoon light stretched long across the corridor floors, spilling through the glass panels in a soft golden light. By the time our next match was called, the school hallways had quieted- not silent, but subdued, as if the entire building were exhaling after too many hours of adrenaline.
"Room 2 - Group 11 and Group 27, please proceed."
The voice over the speaker carried its usual calm rhythm, but our steps were slower now. Even the sound of our sneakers against the floor felt heavier.
Ashley Boone rolled her shoulders once and glanced back at us. "Last one for today," she said. "Let's have some fun."
We entered Room 2- the same one where we'd faced Group 25 earlier this morning. The air conditioner hummed softly, its chill brushing against the lingering heat of the day. The chairs had been rearranged, the screens reset. It almost felt like déjà vu.
At the opposite table sat Group 27, led by Yvette Newmem, a calm, analytical Class Vice Representative from Class F, known for her steady composure and methodical approach.
She offered Ashley Boone a polite smile. "Long day, huh?"
Ashley Boone returned it. "You have no idea."
The coordinator, Renee Torres, checked the digital scoreboard before addressing both groups. "All right, teams ready? Let's begin. Group 11's leader, please draw the first subject."
Ashley Boone drew a folded slip from the box, opened it carefully, and read aloud:
"History."
The first question flashed onto the projector. Group 27's buzzer sounded first — correct. Another question — correct again.
Their confidence was obvious: clean, composed, practiced.
Ryan Neal managed to grab one near the end, but the round slipped away.
Yvette Newmem drew next. The slip shoeed the next subject.
"Science."
Noah Jackson's tired eyes sharpened instantly. The questions came fast, but his and Finley Ashford's timing was flawless- almost instinctive. By the final question, we'd built a small but solid lead.
Ashley Boone pulled another folded slip and smiled faintly as she read it aloud.
"Word Association."
Avery Lynch leaned forward, toward the buzzer. The questions flashed one after another. The challenge wasn't just meaning- it was connection under pressure.
Buzzers fired in seconds. Once, both teams hit at the same instant. The coordinator reviewed the footage, then awarded a split point. When the round ended, we edged slightly ahead.
Yvette Newmem reached into the box and drew the next slip.
"Mathematics."
The atmosphere tightened. Both groups leaned in, pencils scratching across scrap sheets at record speed. Ryan Neal and I carried us through most of the round- until the final question, when Group 27 buzzed in first and answered correctly.
By the end of the sixth round, the score stood at 4–2.
Then came Essay Round, the topic drawn by Ashley Boone is When Competition Becomes Cooperation.
Nicole Dean and Ashley Boone volunteered for our side; across from them, Yvette Newmem and her teammate began writing in focused silence.
The room stilled — only the soft scratch of pens and the tick of the clock filled the air.
When time was called, the essays were handed to Ms. Torres. She skimmed through, then nodded.
"Essay Round — Group 11."
A small cheer rippled through our table.
Score: 5–2.
We carried that momentum- winning both the Speech and Word Guessing rounds soon after.
Finally came the Teacher Round. Both groups leaned forward, fully aware this was the last one of the day. Though Group 27 had already lost, they played with renewed determination.
Yvette Newmem drew the final slip from the box.
"Geography."
Buzzers clicked almost simultaneously. The questions flew fast. By the final question, we closed strong, taking the round 4–1.
Final Score - Group 11: 8 | Group 27: 2
The timer beeped softly, signaling the end.
Ashley Boone leaned back, eyes closed, letting out a breath that sounded like relief itself. Ryan stretched his arms and grinned.
"We did it," Avery Lynch murmured, almost to herself. "With this, we can made it to the knockout rounds."
Yvette Newmem stood, her composure steady as ever. "You deserved this win," she said with a small smile. "Your group's teamwork is really good."
Ashley Boone returned the smile. "Your group weren't far behind. That was a solid match."
They shook hands- tired, respectful, equals.
Outside the corridor, the sunset spilled across the corridors as students streamed from the gym buildings- some still in daze, others with clipboards in hand- voices alive with the end of the group matches.
As we stepped out together, the tension of the day eased into quiet satisfaction. The fading sunlight caught the gym windows, reflecting our silhouettes as we passed.
Finley Ashford checked the updated standings posted by the entrance. "Third Bracket results are in."
Ashley Boone paused. "Where are we?"
"Still second," Finley Ashford said with a grin. "But it's close. Really close."
Ryan Neal yawned but smiled. "Then tomorrow decides it."
Ashley Boone looked toward the horizon, the amber sky deepening. "Yeah," she said softly. "Tomorrow decides everything."
In the evening, the golden light mellowed into twilight. Students trickled away in twos and threes, laughter echoing faintly.
As I exited the gym, a familiar voice called my name. "Hey! Over here!"
Emilia waved from near the benches. I smiled and walked over.
"You waited?" I asked.
"Yeah," she said, brushing her hair from her face. "My last match ended at three. I figured I'd wait and talk about the advancement list."
"Right," I said. "The final bracket tables are up by the gym entrance. Looks like everything's set for the knockout rounds."
Final Standings - Advancing to Knockouts
First Bracket:
Group 1 - Ezra Miller (Class A) - Wins: 7 Losses: 0
Group 3 - Emilia Stevens (Class A) - Wins: 6 Losses: 1
Second Bracket:
Group 6 - Zoey Myers (Class B) - Wins: 5 Losses: 2
Group 23 - Clyde Nash (Class C) - Wins: 5 Losses: 2
Third Bracket:
Group 10 - Jessie Robinson (Class G) - Wins: 7 Losses: 0
Group 11 - Ashley Boone (Class A) - Wins: 6 Kisses: 1
Fourth Bracket:
Group 15 - Xavier Vega (Class D) - Wins: 4 Losses: 3
Group 29 - Peyton Atkins (Class G) - Wins: 4 Losses: 3
Emilia studied the list, a small smile tugging at her lips. "That's it, then- eight groups into the knockout rounds."
"It's something, isn't it?" I said, smiling faintly. "Two full days of prelims just to cut it down to eight."
"Yeah," Emilia said, thoughtful. "But from here on, it only gets tougher. No more point tables- just win, or you're out."
We started walking toward the gates, the orange streetlights flickering to life one by one.
"So," Emilia asked, glancing at me, "how does it feel being part of one of the qualifying groups?"
I gave a small laugh. "Honestly? Feels like I'm finally starting to find myself again- in all this chaos."
She looked toward the gym, where the last coordinators were locking up. "Tomorrow's the big one- Knockout Phase: Quarterfinals, Semifinals, and Finals."
"Yeah," I said softly. "No more safety nets."
Emilia smiled faintly. "Guess we'll see who makes it to the finals."
"Guess we will," I said.
We reached the intersection leading to my house where our paths split. She waved once before heading off to the end of the street.
The sky behind us glowed with the last gold of evening- the quiet calm before the next day's storm of competition begin.