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Casually, folding his arms behind his head, he gets straight to the point. “So, I am here to convince you to dump Braxton and join me in the challenge.”
I wasn’t sure why he was so intent on seeing me today, but this I did not see coming. “I can’t do that Roman. It’s not the right thing to do.”
“Sure, you can. Friends First Always,” he winks.
It’s a low blow using our mantra to try and change my decision, but I stand firm.
“I don’t understand why you’re so desperate to be my partner in the Challenge. I’ve barely seen you since you started dating Alexandraya.”
“That’s exactlywhywe should do this together.”
My jaw clenches, “I won’t do it Roman. Sorry.”
“Have it your way then.”
He stands without making eye contact and exits my hut in two strides, slamming the door behind him.
Chapter14
Siriarna
I can’t believe how swiftly the week went by; I’ve barely had time to think. And now, the much anticipated third quarter Challenge is here. A flutter of nerves tingles inside my stomach at the prospect of competing against so many talented students.
The Auditorium is a rainbow of colour as all students arrive wearing their Propensity uniforms. The atmosphere is electric, which is doing nothing to calm my nerves.
Winning the Challenge is the year’s greatest honour and with it, comes the greatest reward. The victors will have their names etched in the Grand Auditorium Hall of Fame and will travel to Mount Olympus to dine with a table of Gods. They will also lead the next Surface World mission. There is no doubt that the competition will be ruthless because this is a prize worth fighting for.
Group Leaders, together with High Power Omnisensus, are positioned on the platform at the front of the room. They stand behind a long table holding the clue scrolls for each team. I spy a nod between them before I hear the horn blast.
“Commence,” the Authority announces to the chaotic room.
The Challenge has begun with a flurry of activity. Teams runto the table to grab their first clue. Davina and Melodie push past me, sneering in sync, “move ‘basic’.”
Alexandraya and Roman are close behind. Roman looks at me with a sheepish expression.
Alexandraya laughs, “Ah, Siriarna, you don’t need to rush, it’s not like you’ve even got a chance to win this.”
Turning my back, I start searching for Braxton. He isn’t as easy to spot because he isn’t as tall as Roman. I scan the rapidly emptying room and spy him at the side of the hall, looking in my direction.
“There you are,” he says as I approach.
“Let’s do this,” I say with a newfound confidence. The TON’s dismissal has me psyched up, and I am going to give this challenge a red-hot crack. I want to win.So damn badly.
We are the last team to collect our clue scrolls. High Power Omnisensus gives me a knowing little nod and Simeon grins, winking at me when I collect mine.Hmm, strange.
I return to Braxton and unravel our scroll. It reads:
Take your time, but use haste;
Use each clue, but do not waste;
Look forward, see behind;
Use your skills, they’re one of a kind.
Braxton scratches his head and looks at me quizzically. We are the only people remaining in the Auditorium. Everyone else has bolted out the double doors keen to solve the riddle and find their next clue. Instead of following the other teams and the mayhem that followed, I read the rhyme out loud in the now quietened space. “Let’s break down the clue.” I say methodically.
“We’ve definitely taken our time. Maybe we can use some haste when we find the next clue.” Braxton says repeating line two.
