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I remain frozen for the first two questions, my stomach threatening to return my dinner. But when he asks the third question, the answer is right there, at the front of my mind. I hit the buzzer first and answer correctly. My teammates clap for me. They’re quickly drowned out by Ethan and his entourage, who clap and stomp their feet. I laugh. I can’t help it. The sight of them, all dressed for a sporting event, at something as nerdy as the Academic Decathlon, it’s just too ridiculous.
Somehow getting that one question right soothes my nerves. I continue to help my team in each category. Every time I answer a question correctly, Ethan shouts out, “Yeah, Prom Queen!” His friends are quite loud. But they settle down enough during questions that Mr. Graves doesn’t kick them out.
Austin remains unusually quiet during the meet. In every practice, he was almost giddy about racing to the correct answers. But tonight, he remains subdued. Maybe this is just his game face for meets?
When the final question is asked, we’re tied with the opposing team. My fingertips tingle as they hover over my buzzer. I close my eyes, listening carefully as the question is read.
“Who introduced the theory of punctuated equilibrium?”
There is silence for several seconds. Then an image from my AP Biology book floats into the forefront of my mind. It’s as if the words fell off the page and are now dancing in front of me. I hit the buzzer and answer before I have time to second guess myself. “Stephen Jay Gould and Niles Eldredge.”
“That’s correct.”
The crowd goes crazy. The rest of my teammates crowd around me, offering hugs and high-fives. Austin backs away from the group and disappears somewhere offstage. I smile politely and return the high-fives.
As soon as I am able, I slip away from my team and climb down the steps from the stage. I’m immediately engulfed by Ethan and his entourage. Ethan has his phone out, capturing the moment, as usual. He kisses my cheek for the camera and I smile and wave. He’s such a dork. I can’t help but laugh.
“Nice job, Prom Queen!” he says. “I knew my girl was smart.”
I receive several more high-fives and pats on the back. Ethan offers to hoist me onto his shoulders and parade me around the room. I politely decline.
My parents join the crowd and throw their congratulations onto the pile of praise. Mom grabs my arm and pulls me to the side.
“Did you know Ethan was coming?” she asks.
“I didn’t even know he knew about it.”
“This is big, Emma,” she says. “He recorded everything. He has a lot of followers, both online and at the school. And he’s completely pulling you in to his world.” She squeals like a mouse who just discovered cheese.
I’m not sure how to respond. I love that Ethan showed up and surprised me by coming. But I wish it had just been him. I don’t need a bunch of kids I barely know chanting my name. That doesn’t exactly thrill me. And knowing he recorded everything…that just makes me feel sick all over again.
“I bet if you go to prom with him, you’ll totally win,” she gushes. “If he can convince a bunch of high schoolers to give up their evening for an academic event, I bet he can convince them to name you queen.”
The way Mom says “academic event”, you’d think she was discussing a disgusting spider she found crawling across her bedspread. I just nod my head until she finally leaves. I turn around and finally spot Austin.
“Hey,” I say. “Where’d you go?”
Austin shrugs. “I just wanted to get out of the crowd.”
I nod. “Yeah, I get that. Are you doing anything to celebrate tonight?”
Austin shuffles his feet. He opens his mouth to respond, when Ethan yells across the room.
“Hey, Prom Queen! We’re all going out for ice cream. Come with us!”
I smile. “Just a sec,” I call. “Do you want to get ice cream?” I ask, turning back to Austin.
He shakes his head. “Naw, that’s really not my scene. You go have fun.”
Austin quickly walks away. He slips out the door before I even have time to process his leaving. I want to call after him to wait and come back. But, like usual, my mouth is two steps behind my brain. Why do I feel so crushed?
***
“Emma?”
I turn around and see Adika Carson right behind me. Her black hair flows over her shoulders like a dark, majestic waterfall. I look past her, but can’t see anyone else.
She furrows her brow. “Emma?”
