The Annoying Dreamer and the Artistic Doubter

3 Minute Race to the Bottom of the School

 Camila was anxious, listening to people groan about it being the last week to head to the Opportunity Office.

Silas tapped her. "Why are you worried?"

"I was caught up in so much, I completely forgot to sign up! Isn't the deadline today?"

"Yeah...for the day you chose to sign up this week. I helped you sign up, remember?"

Her head jerked. "You did what?"

"You forgot? Remember when we were the last ones to leave the office? It happened after the rejection?"

She looked back.

I'm probably just gonna relax at home this summer. But they said they'll let our parents know what to do after school.

Cool. Oh hey, there's a sign up sheet for the end of March.

Huh, I'll probably go at the start of lunch so I can get it over with.

Alright. Sign it so when you forget, I can remind you in a month.

"How did I forget that?"

"Cuz your memory's as bad as you texting back fast," laughing at her dismay.

"Wait, what time was it supposed to start?"

They ran to the teacher as everyone was packing up, who pulled it up on their monitor.

"It started ten minutes ago?"

"We only have until the bell rings for the next period. Mr. Schwarz, why didn't you say anything?"

"Camila, I asked you if you were going now-oh I should've said what."

The bell rang.

"We gotta go, now!"

It took her a while to pack up, and those seconds were too late as the hallways were flooded.

"We're not gonna make it."

"Oh yes we are! Come!"

He found spaces between people for them to slip through, running downstairs when a senior blocked their path in a conversation with some ladies.

"Hey, excuse us!"

"Uh, go the other way."

"Like every girl you approach should?"

That angered the more brawlic, larger male, who forced them to duck as he threw his bag at Silas and Camila, then chasing after them. They had to retreat up the fifth floor with their classmates serving as obstacles to his physique.

"Was that the right time to defend yourself?"

"Sorry! Wait, Royal's meeting with Ms. Dresden," pulling out his phone. "Royal, after you see me, say: Silas, why are you hiding in the science room out loud!" He pressed send when they headed to the other staircase down to the fourth floor where Royal checked her phone.

"Royal, now!"

They snuck down to the third floor as the junior arrived.

"Where did he go?"

They heard Royal repeat it out loud.

"Thanks. Hey, get out of my way! Silas, get out of the room now!"

"Isn't he going to try and find you after this?"

"As if. There's four teachers up there, none of them are silent hearing a senior trying to murder a sophomore."

With the opposite stairwell blocked by other students coming down from the third floor English room, they ran through the hallway hoping the other one was more free, stumbling across their next hurdle.

Sports teams. The basketball team and football team were chatting with both ends filled up on the hallway, forcing everyone else to go around the whole rectangle hallway. Camila's excuse me, got drowned out.

"Plan B," sliding behind the basketball team. "Football is mid! Basketball's better!"

The football team turned to the basketball team. "Say that again?" They approached them with no chill, clearing the hallway for Silas and Camila to slip through just enough before the two started arguing, heading downstairs.

"You were joking, right?"

"Of course. Soccer clears!

The two shared a laugh until they were blocked from going further by who Silas called the Camera Detection Drug Dealing Squad.

"They didn't have regular brownies. I was hungry."

But they weren't barging at all, struggling to pick up money. Camila got more hungry sensing the smell as her stomach roared.

"Hold my stomach," she whispered.

"Uh," clearly uncomfortable.

"Trust me."

He did and she started coughing out sounds, belching out.
"Get me, arghh, to," weezing, "the nurse!"

They decided to back off, allowing them to pass.

"That was so smart!"

"Guess I learned something from the play after all."

Only for them to swerve back to the other stairwell when the girls from the other school were heading up. With one minute left, they dashed down to the few people on the first floor.

"We've only got a few seconds left."

With no other choice, Silas had to pull out a move he didn't expect to use.

"So I heard Ms. Eleanor's giving people a test worth 30 percent of their grade, and anyone who doesn't finish it has to spend a week in lunch detention, or she'll start calling parents."

"What?"

They flew up like dolphins before their feet surfed their way upstairs, crashing against the sophomores and juniors heading to lunch. Silas laughed much to Camila's joy, but concern.

"I feel like one day you're going to be smart enough to destroy the world."

He grinned. "Why would I destroy the world when you exist?"

She rolled her eyes, amused, getting to the front of the room just as the bell rang, finding it locked.

"No!"

They banged their arms on the door. "We were so close!"

Ms. Greer opened the door.

"Oh. Camila Rose. Time's almost up, but it seems the person after you isn't going to be here today, so you can use that allocated slot for your summer program research. Are you willing to take it?"

She sparked up with joy. "Sure, absolutely," as Silas stepped back, relieved. "Where do I start?"

He waited out, not paying much attention beyond the surprise of excitement about hearing there were open slots. When she opened the door, the look on her face was much more relaxed.

"Why did you help me?"

"Whether we're friends or something more. I told you, I'll always care about you."

Reflecting on what's happened since, Camila's face beamed bright.

"Thank you."

Enamored, she reached for his cheek when his face matched hers.