Chapter 47

The Cowbellpedia competiton was different. Nobody had time to be taunting other schools but the way they glared at each other and looked at each other spoke volumes than words.

"There are two sections here babe. You go first"

"Me? First?"

"Yeah. You go first"

"Am still a little nervous. I could break down or..... "

Semiloore brought a finger to his lips stopping him.

"That's enough. I watched you read day and night for this. I watched you lose your sleep and over work yourself. You are perfect for this. Your nervous could make your hands shaky might not be able to pick your answers quickly but its fine. As long as you can stay in the first twenty schools. We can screw the first section but if we screw the second;we are gone"

Nathaniel nodded as the contestants started walking to their stand.

"Babe"

"Huh?"

"If you stay in the top ten, I'll tell you my dad's story"

Nathaniel smiled a little as he walked over to his own stand attracting attention.

"Hello everyone, the senior section of the first round is about to start. Am sure you all know the rules. So let's do this quickly. Please endeavour to quickly pick your answers before the timer goes off. You have 60seconds to answer the questions in front of you. Be fast in choosing your answers and every time you miss a question, you get a red mark. If you have more than 10 red marks, you are out. Thank you"

Nathaniel stole a glance at Semiloore and she gave him a flying kiss in return.

Soon the section started and the students were seen hurriedly tapping on the implanted tabs in the pillar. Semiloore didn't know when she started muttering prayers.

Oh Lord, help him. Guide him. Oh lord please he worked hard for this.

Even Mr Williams seemed nervous as he watched the seconds tick on the big screen.

"30 seconds gone" Semiloore muttered.

She closed her eyes and slowly counted in her head. She knew Nathaniel would do fine she knew but he seemed nervous his hands might shake and might miss tapping on the answers.

"41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60" Semiloore counted as she opened her  as the section was over.

The list was shown on the large screen. Nathaniel's name was number fifteen. He had three red marks. Semiloore's hands flew to her mouth. Even Mr Williams was dazed.

"He did it"

"As we have said the people with more than ten marks am so sorry but this is your last bus stop in the cowbellpedia competition. Thanks so much for working hard"

About 34 students out of 70 students had dropped out, leaving them with 36 students.

"We'll go for the second section in two minutes"

Nathaniel walked towards Mr Williams and Semiloore.

Semiloore threw herself on him as she hugged him

"You made it"

Nathaniel smiled "I even thought I would have about six red marks"

Mr Williams patted him on the shoulder "Well done"

"Thank you sir"

"Its your turn"

Semiloore winked at him as she strode towards the standing tabs. She yawned as the man gave the instructions.

"This section is much different from the first one. This time your marks depend on how many questions you can answer in 30 seconds. With the rules still standing I wish you the best of luck"

The section started and Nathaniel stared at Semiloore ran her fingers on the tab in front of her. Her face was full of confidence as her eyes twitched. Obviously she was calculating and time was up. Everyone had their jaws open when the large screen showed the scores.

Semiloore name was number one answering 48 questions, the next person had answered 21 questions.

Even the judges seemed impressed.

"Whoa! Model Secondary school has never seemed to amaze us. Miss Semiloore Ajayi, your fingers are very fast"

Semiloore put her mouth closer to the microphone.

"I'll like to make some corrections sir. I am not a student of Model Secondary School but a student of Oxford International College. And thank you"

"You are not from MSS?"

"Yes. Whoa! Seems like OIC prepared for this year. Thank you ladies and gentlemen. Please have your seat as the schools who have passed the two sections will be moving unto the next round.

Semiloore walked to her seat under everyone's gaze. She snuggled up to Nath.

"Did I do great?"

"Yes, you did" Nath replied nodding his head.

Soon the schools that had passed were posted. Only 20 schools remained on the list. Nathaniel gushed "This elimination method is mad"

"Of course" Semiloore replied with a short laugh. "The next round is in twos, and ten schools will be shortlisted"

"Okay"

"We'll have to come back for the final round tomorrow were three schools will be picked"

"Three?"

"Three"

"Its going to be tough" Nathaniel breathed

"I trust you" Semiloore replied

Nathaniel looked at her in an odd way,"What do you mean by you trust me?"

"You'll be the one to represent us tomorrow"

"Huh? No way. You'll do better than me"

"You studied hard for this and I do know that you'll do fine"

"You are thinking too highly of me"

Semiloore pecked him as she dragged him up and walked to the spaces as the next round was about to stand.

"Now that I think of it, we didn't prepare for the junior section"

"Ohh"

"There's still time anyways, the junior section comes after the senior championship"

"Who would you choose?"

"Give me suggestions"

Nathaniel shrugged "There's actually a girl in JSS3 and she's very much like you"

"Like me?"

"Amadi Chidima is a mini terrorist"

Semiloore laughed slightly "She scares the shit out of her mates. She's also very smart too"

Semiloore smiled "I like her already. Is she pretty?"

"I already said she's a mini version of you"

Semiloore covered her mouth as she burst into laughter.

Nathaniel didn't seem as nervous as the time he stood in front of this implanted tab. With Semiloore standing just beside him. He looked confident as threw questions at them. Semiloore allowed him to answer most  and whenever she discovered he was taking much time, she'll just ship in the answer.

A huge smile crossed his face as the screen showed Oxford has the leading school. Model was right behind them but the gap was significant that even the recorder had to mention it.

"Seems like OIC has nurtured their students this time around and are ready for this battle"

The screen showed Nath and Semiloore's face. While Nath showed a blank face, Semiloore excluded a bored aura.

"I wish you all best of luck, see you tomorrow"

The students dispersed quickly as Nath and Semiloore walked up to Mr Williams. The man had tears in his eyes. He didn't even looked the least embarrassed as the pulled the two into a hug. He subconsciously rubbed their heads as he pulled them along.

"Rolake and Deji are done, they should be here soon"

"Okay"

The bus pulled into the venue as soon as they stepped out. Rolake sprinted out of the bus as she ran and pulled Semiloore into a hug.

"We made it"

Semiloore's eyes brightened.

"We missed a few questions but we were number four on the list" Deji mumbled

"Whoa!"

"All thanks to you"

"What about you guys?"

Semiloore smiled smugly at Nathaniel "He was awesome"

"Am so happy"

Two students were the same uniform walked up to them.

"Hi, my name is Sharon and he's Felix"

Semiloore nodded at the girl

"Your hands were pretty fast back then. I was pretty flabbergasted when I discovered you answered 48 questions and didn't miss one. In 30 seconds. That's amazing"

Surprise flashed in Rolake's and Deji's eyes before Rolake stared at her with admiration in her eyes.

Semiloore gave her a rueful smile "Thank you Sharon"

"Unfortunately I won't be seeing you tomorrow. I wish you best of luck" she said with a smile.

Felix also offered a smile "Can I get your contact?"

Rolake stretched a paper and pen to Semiloore as she scribbled her number on it and stretched it to him. Felix chuckled lightly as he collected it.

"You are pretty" he said

Semiloore clutched unto Nath's arm immediately.

"Hehe, Babe am I really pretty?"

Nath laughed slightly before pushing her head slightly. Felix's turned green as Deji burst into laughter. Her way of turning people down was really effective.