I'll Tell You Why I'm Single

9: I Don't Trust Boys

11th Grade

I'm 5 minutes late to Ross' Science Quiz Bee competition. It's alright because the quiz master is still briefing the contestants for the rules.
Honestly, it's hard to be an audience of competitions like this. You have to clap for just a right time and you're not allowed to cheer. Unlike in other sports events, you can cheer at the top of your lungs.
I saw Phoebe sitting on the third row, I waved as she see me entering the auditorium. She raised her hand to tell me to come over quickly. I passed her the iced coffees she asked me to buy.

"Good thing you came right in time." Phoebe says. I see that she's with her classmate, I don't know if it's just a classmate but he's the guy that's been around with Phoebe since we enrolled in this school.

"The line in the cafe was blockbuster." I said while tapping my sweaty skin using a handkerchief.

The contestants moved in their podium, the quiz master starts to ask questions. First round is easy, Even Phoebe and I can answer almost of it. It's just a matter of speed on who will answer first. It's second round where the intensity starts. Ross is a little left behind because he doesn't possess a quick reflex in pushing the buzzer. Good thing the points in Round 2 is worth 3 points. He managed to chase on the scoreboard.
Final round is too difficult for me to understand, Ross and the other girl from Room 458 are the one's who are battling for championship. They have tie scores as the last round approaches. In the end, Ross becomes 1st runner up, it's his slow reflexes that made him lose.

"You need to exercise more, you push the buzzer like sloth." I say, Ross is with us in the cafeteria and he's annoyed when he only got a silver medal.

"You're actually telling me to exercise when your fats are obviously showing?" Ross says with irritation. I threw him a peanut.

"Everybody flinches whenever you buzz, the audience are rooting on you but you disappoint us." Phoebe chuckles.

"Why do I always get a runner up award, something's really wrong with my luck. I don't want to be a second placer anymore. I'm sick of it." Ross says and thrusts his medal.

"You need to work harder." Phoebe says. Ross scrapes his hair.

"You need motivation." I say. Ross looks at me, interested.

"What do you mean?"

"On your next competition, you have to win. I'll give you anything you want if you win first place." I say. Ross' eyes lit, he smiles wide.

"You mean anything? Really?" Ross repeats.

"Anything but not something that will exceed 1000 pesos."

Ross chuckles. "Alright, deal!"

"Hey I'll help Aria. This motivation thing may work." Phoebe says.

I don't have a lot of savings but I must start keeping cash on my allowance. I just want my friend to be happy.

***

I went home as I check my coin bank. I start counting the coins I have, it's not plenty but this will be a great help. I was actually saving for a graphic tablet that I want, I guess I'll just set that plan aside.

I hear a beep on my phone. Who messages me this late?

Rafa's name pops on the screen.

"What are you doing?" his text says.
At first I don't want to answer him but it will be a shame that I won't use my load that will expire later on.

"Zzzz...." I replied.

In a second, a text arrived. He's fast.

"(>v<)" his text says.  "You're not really sleeping lol" he added.