THE TECHNOLOGIST

THE COMPETITION

* * * PETRICK'S P.O.V * * *

I survived.

It was quite hard to believe, but I survived. Well, and so did Calvin. We managed to make it to the end. It was amazing. Unimaginable. I hadn't thought I would make it. The competition was tough, tougher than I thought it would be and the contestants were also no simple run-overs, they held their ground. But in the end I survived.

As Ty had promised the day was jam packed with greatness and fun. About halfway through the competition we took a break and the entertainment was exceptional. We got performances from the greats in the music industry. There was also a little raffle for the spectators, the winner got an SUV and the second got to leave with a brand new ECLIPTIC eighty-five inch television.

The sun had already long set when the final round was wrapped up. My head hurt, I couldn't even feel my arms, I didn't even have it in me to even look at the time. I let out a long, heavy sigh as I stepped away from my creation.

A smile tried to creep its way to my face but died just as quickly. I was tired, but proud. If it didn't make me win, nothing would. It was my greatest creation yet. I was proud of it, and I just wanted it — by all my might — to have what it took to make me win.

I didn't dare look at the other contestants' inventions. Even though I wanted to, I wouldn't. It would only make me doubt myself, so in the struggle of not looking at their creations I turned away from my table and let the blue cloth-like pixel covering take hold.

I nearly sank on the bench near the fountain. Calvin was already there beaming like crazy. I couldn't share in on his enthusiasm, it probably seemed like I wasn't proud of my creation to the others but I could care less.

"Hey, man." I slumped down and spread my arms around the back of the bench. I bumped onto him amd mumbled a quick apology.

"Hey. Quite a challenge, huh?" He smiled and I nodded my response. Speaking was not on my mind, I was tired and I needed rest. It had been a long, long day.

He looked at me for a while before he stared ahead not uttering a single word. He seemed to get the message. I sighed feeling a little bad for shrugging him off. I held in my animosity for that particular feeling, I couldn't help it, I was dysfunctional.

And so we stayed like that until the wee hours of the day when the judges had finally made a decision.

Ty appeard on the screen and my nerves simultaneously shot up. I had not realized how nervous I was until then. My hands were shaking. My mind numb to anything but Ty's voice. I couldn't deal. My breath hitched. My brain was already harrasing me with what could have gone wrong and what I didn't do right. I was doomed.

I clutched the sides of my head and squeezed as hard as I could. My eyes bulged. I had to stand. I couldn't take it. I had to move.

"So, ladies and gentlemen, it is that time of the competition." He paused and flashed us a smile. I stood up abruptly from the bench causing Calvin to follow suite. He was staring at me, concern written all over his eyes. He held out a hand and I winced, pulling back before he could touch me.

I didn't know what to do. "Are you okay, Petrick?" He let his hand fall. I just stared at him. I needed to get a grip on the situation, so I smiled. Releasing my hands from my head.

"Yes, yes, I'm just - I'm just a little nervous, jus - don't worry," I said with a much calmer voice than I thought I could master. I started taking deep breaths, hoping to calm my nerves down. It worked, my heart stoped palpitating enough for me to stop shaking.

Calvin smiled at me just as Ty started delivering the news. "I will begin at third place and take it from there." He smiled again and I near groaned. Get on with it, Ty.