Chapter 176
"Good to see everyone wearing the shirts today. My mom will take some pictures of us that I'll post after the competition," the team captain said, "I was going to suggest that Candace sits in the middle since she's the girl, but after what happened last weekend, I think we should have Kaden on one end and Candace on the other."
We glanced out at the very small crowd, dispersed across the seats. I tried to find Zenon in the crowd, but I couldn't see him.
My eyes hovered over Julia, sitting in the center to support Kaden, and skimmed over her. I've said it once before and I'll say it again: I've unsubscribed from her issues.
Where was Zenon? Joe was up on stage competing against the other teams and it was almost my turn. I cast another sweeping glance over the audience. There were 23 people in the crowd – yes, I've counted them all – and not one of them was Zenon.
Actually, make that 22. Someone just went outside with a burrito wrapper in his hand. I guess he just stopped by for lunch.
Suddenly, I received two texts at the same time. I immediately opened them, despite the strict no phones rule.
Kaden: Fake boyfriend problems?
Kaden is paying a lot of attention to my love life recently. He's paying more attention now that he's not a part of it.
I didn't bother replying since the other text was from Zenon. I quickly opened that one instead.
Zenon: I'm trying to get out of practice but stuck
He might not make it?
I texted him back, conscious that Kaden was watching me from a couple seats over. He probably thought I was sending him a message. Ha.
Kaden checked his phone after I sent my text and realized it was not to him. He pretended like he was checking the time.
"Candace, you should really pay attention," Toby whispered, "You're going to be up next."
The door to the auditorium opened again and I turned around, hoping Zenon had managed to get out of practice. Deep down, I knew it wouldn't be him.
I thought Zenon put this in his calendar ages ago? How did practice get in the way?
All that fear and self-doubt started creeping back. I've been in so many humiliating situations, I was scared this was about to be another. People have laughed at me, have mocked me - and now I was getting up on stage, exposing my weak mental math skills...
I perked up when I recognized the new entrant.
Axel was standing at the back of the auditorium. His eyes scanned the stage, horrified that he was late and I may be on already. I gave a shy wave, which he noticed and came over.
"Hey Candace," he whispered, "Zenon and Bryce are stuck at practice."
"I know. I got Zenon's text," I whispered, craning my head to properly look at him.
It touched me that Bryce had also been planning on coming. Or maybe Bryce's claiming that now... now that he can't come. That felt like exactly something Bryce would do. And, oddly enough, I was OK with that.
I watched the round come to an end and the audience applaud. I was up next.
"He's really not coming?" I whispered to Axel, hoping for a last-minute surprise.
I didn't realize how much having Zenon around gave me confidence.
I was still hopeful. It would be very much like Zenon to rise above expectations and make it just in time. But the sorry look in Axel's eyes, made me realize that this was one wish that wouldn't come true.
"I'll be here," Axel reassured me, "I'm rooting for you, Candace."
I gulped and stood up exactly as the presenter yelled out my name, "Candace Turner, representing Preston Oakes High School."
The auditorium of Preston Oakes High was built to seat two hundred people. 22 were in the room right now, and it was 22 too many.
And 1 too few.
Zenon Albert, where are you?
I nervously stepped onto the stage under a large banner saying "POHS Mathletics." I think I've spent my whole life establishing how un-athletic I was, so this was a good way to undermine my confidence.
I squinted under the bright lights and made my way to one of the chairs on stage. My footsteps echoed in the auditorium.
The doors to the auditorium stayed firmly shut. With every step I took, I kept hoping to see Zenon enter. Unfortunately, no one did.
My mom and sister weren't here either. I texted them that I was taking part in a math competition today, but no reply.
It's probably for the best. I didn't want to cause more second-hand embarrassment than I already do.
I took a seat on stage behind a small desk with a red buzzer on it. My competitors had the same setup and we were all side-by-side, facing the 'crowd'. The guy next to me was doing finger exercises.
A shadow in the crowd waved at me and I knew it was Axel. I never expected Axel Thomas to end up being my guardian angel, but he always seemed to be there. Supporting.
Think like a proton. Always positive.
"Everybody ready? I hope your minds are as sharp as your pencils!" the presenter announced, building up anticipation to the first quiz question.
The guy next to me finished his finger exercises and hovered his hand over the buzzer, wriggling his fingers like he was conducting a spell.
I tried to concentrate, despite the voodoo going on next to me.
I ignored the fact that more people in this room wanted me to fail than to win. My competitors, my teammate and ex-boyfriend Kaden, even Julia who was randomly here...