Chapter 10 Competition

Earlier I took care of myself. Because today is Friday, I'm wearing white pants and a tuck-in gray t-shirt provided by the school. I wore simple black shoes. I decided to go down to the living room, I immediately kissed my uncle who was busy talking to Erwin who turned his gaze to me as well as the other people in the mansion.

They're all smiling.

"We want to congratulate you Annika!"

"Your students are excellent. Imagine? In the elimination round, almost half of your students are going in to the final now," Auntie Summer said with a smile.

"Meaning, you are a great teacher," Auntie Cecil complimented as she tied me to my circle.

"No aunt. They are just good followers. A good listeners," I corrected as they smiled even more. I can see the joy of uncle and Erwin, uncle rarely talks to men I know or my co-workers because it's hard. It seems that Erwin is the only outsider that uncle lets in here except for Patricio, Fred, Mara and other colleagues of ours then.

"A goddess," Aunt Cecil said as she finished fixing my hair.

I looked in the mirror, I m familiar with such hair ties, this is Lana s favorite style. "A chignon style, it's suits to you," she added then I kissed her on the cheek.

"Thanks, we'll go ahead," I said to them all so my companion and uncle stood up.

"Take care. Come home later. I love you," uncle said weakly then kissed my head.

I just nodded so we could leave. Erwin is still supporting me in the car, it's Friday so I have to be early. Today the final round of various games will be held, there will be no classes today so make sure many students are celebrating today because they will just watch the programs.

"The Engineer who visited you last time, is also from there? Your cousin?" Erwin asked in the middle of my observation on the road.

"Nope. He's not my cousin. That's where we grew up, ah, long story short," I shook my head and he laughed.

"I see. Your uncle is scary," he whispered causing me to cringe.

I looked at him out of nowhere. Everyone I know thinks that way about my uncle.

"Are you being teased?"

"No. He's a businessman when it comes to talking. Even your other uncles. No wonder, now I know who you inherited from," he said with a laugh as I asked.

For me, they are cool parents. They go along with what their children want yet they have a condition. I answered some of his questions, I noticed my talkativeness in front of Erwin but to other people I couldn t.

"I'll be the first to sign your booksigning," he said again as we walked into the school.

"Oh! Oh! Oh! Line up! I'm first! Isn't it my friend, I'm first?" as Patricio's appearance to which reason I laugh at them.

They barely stopped, I lost my laughter and was replaced by astonishment. Why do they look like that every time I laugh? They walked towards me again and were silent as if nothing had happened, their weight was amazing. I just let them go and refocused myself on students who seemed to be going to a covered court where another program was being held.

"I'm just in the office, I'll just go out when my students are in their way," I said quickly then they turned away.

I ignored their conversation, I went straight to the office near the faculty. When I arrived, I immediately closed the door and dropped the body on the swivel chair. I was just exhausted because I was so tired, even though I didn't do anything. I looked at the clock, it was too early.

We're still here until five o'clock. I just bothered myself with writing, they knew my condition, they even told me not to come in first but I wanted to see what my students would do.

I took advantage of the two hours for compiling the last two chapters and the final one. The longer I type the more I feel fun. I can finish another story. Action is one of my favorite genre. I don't know, but I'm comfortable here. I write it based on my experience. I don't have to read any action novels just to write something. Here I grew up, in pure excitement.

Well, writers are different. They write based in their own experience and the other one is write that fully made in their imagination. So proud of them. I smiled sweetly when the last letter I wrote was finally dotted. I published it in different platforms in the different language. Some are offer me to publish it as a physical book but I used to rejected them. I feel like this is not yet enough time for my works to become books. There is much more to learn and much more to learn.

I want to explore something new... But I can't. I want to write something different but I didn't know what is that.

I decided to go out of the office first to see what was going on outside. Various students I meet and greet me. They were only wearing a PE uniform so I quickly knew what grade I was getting. I don t like noisy, chaotic and crowded people. But it's contrary to how I feel now especially from what I see, I only hear one song now but it's loud, all the students are singing it but why don't I seem to know?

I continued walking until I came to the opposite side of the covered court where the students were gathering. I saw my students waving at me and still arguing so I could see them.

"Ma'am Ficarro! Here!"

"We're here!"

"Ma'am!"

I narrowed my eyes then nailed to head in their direction. It was just fun because the people blocking the path were the ones who were sidelining so I quickly got to the side where the other players were.

"Ma'am, we thought you weren't coming," my female student said tearfully.

"Are you okay Ma'am? Sir Pastolero told us about your condition, ma'am," they added.

I nodded softly then smiled a little. "Hmm. I'm okay. Thank you. 'Don't worry about me. You have to focus on your game. Please do remember to don't pressure yourself. I won't be angry if you or I lose. Just remember our two rules, " I said as they stared at me.

"Enjoy while learning and do your best!" they shouted at the same time with their hands still raised.

I couldn t help but smile in front of them. It was as if we were going to the Olympics because they were so excited. I was even more surprised by what they did when they were called. They gave me a hug and a word I used to say to my aunts and uncles.

"Ma'am! All is well!" They last word before going to the middle and simultaneously row.

My other Co-teachers also came and gave me a winning smile. Another school has judges who are known to be good in the field of Archery. The battle has begun. Some of them have obvious nervousness in the eyes so it affects their grip on the arrow. I was just quietly ready to stare at them. Some of my defeated students were just watching behind me and not making any noise.

The battle was so intense, the two in my group had already fallen because of the arrow that missed. But even if they didn t mean it they still fell. Three groups competed, each group with a representative entered. Lorence, my only student left, looked at me, nervous and I could clearly see the sweat forming. I smiled at it then nodded.

"All is well," I said then the bell rang signaling that he needed to hit the very center but it wasn't easy.

That stance moves, slow at first until accelerating. Their grade will be based on the score where the arrow went through and its speed. I have confidence in Lorence, I have taught him what to do whenever he feels scared. Instead of looking at his movements I turned away. I just looked at the others as Lorence performed his gesture. In the middle of the fight I caught sight of a familiar look behind the pedestrians, I could hardly have recognized that when my students suddenly shouted. I looked straight ahead.

A smile dawned on me and a gold medal was now worn by my student. I don't know how it happened, I was just stunned when the kids shouted and went to Lorence's place.

"Congratulations Lorence Gonzales! Together with his teacher, Ms. Annika Ficarro. You are now going to represent our school in different region."