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"I can't believe I'm supposed to compete against you

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"I can't believe I'm supposed to compete against you."

"Don't worry, you'll win just fine."

"Against you? Hell will have to freeze over for that to happen."

"Judging by the way my team members are slacking, it won't be long until we have a frozen hell."

"Is Meave still not talking to you?"

"No. But Sindy isn't being any better either."

"Well, aren't you just fucked?"

Claire and I sigh at the same time, leaning against the massive French windows of the corridor as we watch people pass by us. It's lunch break, and a week has passed since the Debate competition had been announced. The orientation was over, where the six of us, Claire, Sindy, Mary, Meave, Tammy and I went along with Mr. Hawthorn to Newton High, but we weren't alone. Ryan, Isaac and Ron made a team as well, and many more students from the higher classes. In short, we are the junior of all participants.

Meave said not a word to me after that day, and although I had tried to talk to her a couple of times, she always shrugged me away like she didn't want anything to do with me, which only makes me fear where our friendship stands now. Like how do I tell her I was trying to protect her?

"How are things with Mary and Tammy?" I ask Claire who in return rolls her eyes. "You know Tammy. She barely shows up to school, so I don't even know what she's up to. Mary on the other hand, seems like a very nice person. She's actually very interested in this competition and knows more than I thought. She'll be an excellent speaker."

"That's nice." I can't help but reply with envy. "Looks like there's at least one decent member on your team. And I'm stuck here."

"Mr. Hawthorn might lose a gem by sticking it with rocks. He doesn't know your potential."

While Claire continues to talk, I spy Meave and her two friends, Sharon and Yovonne, walk out of their classroom with lollipops in hand. "You think we can ask him to change my team?"

"Will he change if we asked?" Claire asks, now eyeing the three as well when she sees my attention on them. "What if he thinks we are not taking teamwork seriously?"

Teamwork? What teamwork?

Meave notices me staring at her, so I put on a smile. But my words are still directed to Claire. "One of them can't speak to the crowd. Another's personality did a 180 change. What teamwork are you talking about Claire?"

Meave doesn't smile back at me, and this only makes me more agitated, especially when Claire is silent as well. So, I decide to follow her.

"Go to Mr. Hawthorn. Tell him Tammy isn't showing any interest in the competition and is slacking. Let's see what he says."

"Where are you going?" Claire doesn't ask anything about what I said, her focus on my movements as I prepare to follow Meave. So, I tell her just that. "I'm going to try talking to Meave. Again."

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