Disclaimer: The prose's mine - no one else's. I didn't steal it - and you better not, either. Author's Note: Just to let you know, Ninan is an Indian boy's name - and the main character is, of course, a boy ;) And Quiz Bowl is a contest/competition/Battle of the Brainacs (pick any one) that was held at my old school - even though I've never been in it, two friends of mine did. Also, once again, this was an assignment. He [Ninan] was based on a classmate of mine. And Ninan's the kind of person who tends to ramble on a lot and sometimes makes completely no sense but is still a typical boy ;) Whom also happens to be a 12-year-old genius :P

Today he tells me that I qualified - first overall - for the state finals Quiz Bowl competition. It is to be held on February 29th (it's the 14th now), so I have more than two weeks to practice - either by myself or at team practice sessions - the questions, the rules and so on to gear up and be ready for the competition.

Besides me, the whole team is going, so it's a relief to know that I'm not a sole representative of the school.

After the regional competition had ended, our advisor, Mr. Morse, had us practicing from night until day, from dawn till dusk every single day. The state finals were important not only because they were the state finals, but also since our school had never made it that far. This was the first time ever that it had qualified for the state. Even though Masaka Middle School had won the regionals year after year, it had won only by a narrow margin. That, and the top scorers didn't make it to the state since their scores weren't high enough for them to be considered, by the judges, as contenders in the state finals. Obviously, the state finals are really important to us (us as in the 6th grade Quiz Bowl team) and the school.

Since my scores were sky high, Mr. Morse explained, I was deemed an important contestant - and not to mention a representative of the school - in the finals.

"That's all I needed to tell you, Ninan," he said finally. "Right now my only advice is to not let the stress get to you."

"Okay, I'll do that," I replied in a stoic manner and took the pass that he gave me. "What time does it start?"

"9 in the morning. It's going to be held at Wright State."

"Oh. So in Dayton, then." When he nodded, I simply said "okay," bade good- bye to him, and returned to my Social Studies class.

After school I hurried home; I was in a rush to tell Mom and Dad my news.

Much to my luck, they both were home. Must not have had that much work to do, I thought.

I told them about my qualifying for the state finals, and needless to say, they were ecstatic. Mom kept on gushing on how wonderful this was. "Just imagine, Ninan, your name in the paper!" she exclaimed. I could swear that she had stars in her eyes.

"Are you nervous?" Dad immediately cut to the chase.

"Just a little," I admitted. "But I'll be fine. You know I've done this already. This one will be the same. It'll go fine."

"I hope so," Dad said. I shot him a glare. "Way to be supportive, Dad," I said, but I was grinning.

The words echoed in my head throughout the whole night. I hope so.

I hope so, too, Dad, I thought.