Enchanted

Chapter 19

Nicolette

I was about to tug myself into bed when my phone rang. I glimpsed at the name of the caller before deciding to answer or leave it ringing. Linda, the white letters projected on my too-bright phone screen in the dark. Why was the vice president of chess club calling me at 10?

I slid to accept her call and Linda's voice was sharp and alert. "Nicolette! Thank goodness you're not asleep! Jane had chicken pox so she won't be participating in the tournament tomorrow."

"Does that mean I get to take her place?" I quickly regained consciousness and sat up straight on my bed.

"Yes, I'm sending you the details now." Her message was sent to me a few seconds later. "We'll meet at the school gate. The bus departs at 6 sharp so don't be late."

"Alright. Thanks, Linda." I smiled even though she could not see it on the other end of the phone.

"I finally get to join the state-level team tournament!" I squeaked with excitement and got up to repack my school bag. I wanted to turn on my laptop and play a few matches of chess online but my brain was burnt out. I needed sufficient sleep hours to keep myself mentally concentrated tomorrow.

"Good morning, Nicole! You're up so early today," my mum caught me tiptoeing down the stairs, trying to be as quiet as possible so I could sneak behind her and hug her but failed. "My friend rang me last night and told me Jane couldn't make it because she was sick." I walked over to watch her prepare meals for lunch. "That's wonderful! Good luck with your game. Remember to keep me and dad updated with your team score, okay?"

Being a substitute is like hiding behind the shadow of a person, never getting the opportunity to battle against the beast. "We'll put you first in the substitute list," Coach Walton told me after discussing with James, the president of chess club and Linda. I could not protest because the players chosen deserved their spots. So does Sabrina. We played 5 rounds of chess two months ago for the selection and I was half a point lower to be in the team.

Luck was on my side this year. At last, I got to experience what is it like to represent your school in the tournament. I felt the spring air sweep past me as I walked down the familiar road to school.

Spring is the season during which the natural world revives and reinvigorates after the cold winter months. I observed the dews on tender leaves and puddles on pavements that were left after a heavy rain yesterday. A sign telling me today is a new day that I should rejoice and immerse myself in the moment.

I was not an extremely religious person like my parents but I did a little prayer on the bus. It was almost a 2-hour trip from the small town to a national school near downtown Dallas. I sat beside Sabrina who was wearing her earphones, which I assumed to be listening to music while playing online chess. "You're so lucky, Nicolette!" Charles turned over from his seat and smirked. "Thank you?" I laughed and he told me how the other girls from the substitute list would be jealous of me.

Normally, only the first person on the substitute list gets to tag along and I was on the second last year. This year, Yuna who was second on the list supposed to come with us but Linda said she could not reach her last night.

There were 16 students from my school. 2 pairs of girls, 2 pairs of boys. 2 pairs in the under-15 category and in the under-18 category respectively. The team captains did registration at the front table while the rest of us find a corner to place our belongings.

The hall was estimated 4 times bigger than my school. Despite the large size and the crowded area, the temperature indoor was well-maintained between the heater and the air-conditioners installed, not too hot and not too cold. The competition ground was enclosed with barriers in the centre of the hall. All the tables and chairs were arranged in straight lines with chess boards and pieces on top, untouched. High school students with different school logo tees walked around feeling nervous and some talked to their coaches for advice.