Into The Night

Forty-Nine

Niall laughed so loudly as if I just said the worst joke, "The fearless Harry, afraid of distance. Damn dude."

I groaned, "Know what? I'm not even going to answer to that. I know you two are a close-knit."

The very next day, I was as sleepy as hell. . . but, I still stayed awake since Mr. Delfin was quizzing us like we're in a real competition.

I haven't been cooperating, for one, they both seemed to already know what they're talking about, the two barely needed me.

"That's correct, it was Marathon who delivered the news of Persia's defeat who ran--"

Approximately 26 miles during 490 BC.

"Across country. He was a Greek messenger during the four hundred ninety before common era, and he ran about twenty-six miles." Taylor answered, seemingly satisfied of herself.

I don't even know why I remembered that detail.

I kept my head down the entire time. Paris sat in-between me and Taylor, they were both rather attentive in writing down the answers in that small whiteboard whereas I had my arms straight and my chin on the table, blowing invisible air bubbles and muttering the answers to myself.

And the quiz went on, Mr. Delfin said we're going to an even more difficult round. Well, finally because everything was easy for them.

"Date and person, first man in space."

I thought it should be difficult?

"April 12, 1961, Soviet cosmonaut, Yuri Gagarin." I whispered to myself and Taylor wrote it down quickly because it was Paris who told her that. . . that was his field, as I recall.

"Correct." Mr. Delfin said, smiling widely.  "Taylor, give the marker and board to Harry." As Taylor slid both across the table, to me, Mr. Delfin's eyes darted to me. "Son, this is a group competition and nothing will happen if you mutter the right answers to yourself."

"Yes, sir." I groaned a bit as I straightened my body up, taking the marker.

"You feeling alright, Harold?" He asked.

I nodded, "Yes, sir." I really am a freaking liar.

"Shall I continue?"

I nodded once more. I wrote down almost everything Paris told me and it's quite odd because he only speaks in French so I had to ask if I wrote it right first.

"Date and person, which Greek philosopher wrote about a civilisation called 'Atlantis?'"

I wrote it down immediately before Paris answered with his rapid French answers. "Plato, 4th Century BCE"

So it continued.

"Correct again, Harold. Taylor, you've gone quiet, you're not even helping. Remember, this ain't a one man game."

"But sir, he can handle--" she started protesting but I don't think she'll work with a witty teacher as Mr. Delfin.

"Switch with Paris. You're making it into a boys game, switch." Mr. Delfin said but he was smiling. I would swear that he was onto us.

"Sir, he barely needed--"

"Switch. Do I have to tell you one more time?" He asked.

"But sir, please I--"

I was being amused by her stubbornness and Mr. Delfin's eagerness for us to work together. It was actually a no-win situation but nevertheless, amusing. . . until,