TIFFANY’S POV
As she prepared the meatballs, she couldn’t help but wonder why the almighty Shawn asked for help. The Shawn she knew would rather do the cooking himself than appear vulnerable by asking for her help.
Seeing that the thought was distracting her, she decided to push it aside and focus on what she was doing.
She dutifully mixed the ground beef, breadcrumbs, eggs, salt, pepper, and spices In a bowl. Then she shaped the mixture into balls.
Next, she heated some oil in a pan over medium heat, and cooked the meatballs until they turned brown on all sides.
After which she took them out and handed it over to Shawn to add to the sauce and he let it simmer until they were well cooked.
After the meal was ready, they both washed the cooking utensils and returned them to their rightful places before going to have dinner at the dining room.
“Thank you for helping out.” Shawn said, while they were eating.
“It’s fine. I enjoyed helping.” She replied.
He nodded and continued with his meal. They never uttered a word to each other until dinner was over. Tiffany cleared the table, and did the dishes before heading to bed.
The next few days were uneventful for Tiffany as it was practically all about school and her preparation for the spelling bee competition.
Finally, the Dday arrived and Tiffany and other students were conveyed to the place the competition was being held in their school bus.
They arrived at Vancouver’s convention center where the competition was being held, and the place was already rowdy with people. From students from other schools, to spectators, to paparazzi and armed forces.
Tiffany and other other students were led to a row of seats to sit down.
And then the Pronouncer mounted the stage. “Good day ladies and gentlemen. I am Alycia Oxford, the Pronouncer for this competition, and it is with great pleasure that I welcome you all to this year’s Vancouver’s international spelling bee. And this year, we have two outstanding schools in the whole of Vancouver competing against themselves. Without further ado, let’s welcome the participants from the two schools. We have Roy Anderson and Rebecca Xanders from Diamonds high. Please, kindly come and take your seats here on the podium.” The Pronouncer said.
And claps of joy erupted from the spectators as the two contestants walked up the podium.
“Thank you. And next we have Tiffany Dion and Mary Quevara from Shines high school.” The Pronouncer continued and everyone started clapping as Tiffany and Mary walked up the podium.
“Ladies and gentleman, these are our contestants for this year Vancouver’s international spelling bee. May the competition begin! The announcer yelled.
“Okay. Roy, your first word is “Karaoke.” Spell karaoke.” The Pronouncer said.
“KARAOKE.” Roy answered.
“Spot on! You are correct.” The Pronouncer said.
“Moving on. Tiffany, your word is “proboscis.” Spell proboscis.”
“PROBOSCIS.” Tiffany spelt.
“Correct!” The Pronouncer said.
The competition went on and on with each contestant refusing to make a mistake.
Tiffany was getting frustrated, their opponents were getting the answers correctly and Tiffany was scared that they might not win.
They went on and on, and soon, the first half of the competition was over. The Pronouncer announced a break and everyone went off to have some refreshment.
“You are not that good, you know that right? I would have done better if I was not an alternate contestant.” Mary whispered to Tiffany’s ear as they were having snacks.
“You wish. I’m not letting you answer any questions as my alternate. You Will keep being in the shadows while I remain in the limelight.” Tiffany replied.
“How dare you?” Mary sneered.
“How dare me? How dare you say trash to me?” Tiffany asked, getting equally angry.
“Contestants should please return to the podium.” The Pronouncers voice sounded on the speaker.
Tiffany gave Mary a dirty look before walking away.
The contestants got back on the podium, and the second and last part of the competition began.
“Roy, spell ‘Onomatopoeia’.” The Pronouncer began.
“ONOMATOPIA” Roy spelt confidently.
The Pronouncer stayed quiet and stared from Roy to his alternate, to Tiffany and then Mary. And then unexpectedly she yelled, “Wrong!”
Roy gasped and so did the crowd. Tiffany suddenly became excited because she knew the word and its meaning. She quietly prayed that the question would be passed to her.
“Rebecca, being an alternate contestant for Diamonds high, spell “Onomatopoeia.” The Pronouncer said.
“ONOMATOPEIA” Rebecca spelt.
“Wrong! Passing the question now to Shine high school.” The Pronouncer announced.
Tiffany heaved a sigh of relief. Diamonds high had finally failed a question and she had to leverage the opportunity and make her school be a point ahead.
“Tiffany, spell the word Onomatopoeia.” The Pronouncer said.
“Onomatopoeia? As in, a figure of speech?” Tiffany asked, to be sure.
“Yes. A figure of speech.” The Pronouncer replied.
“ONOMATOPOEIA” Tiffany spelt.
“Correct!” The Pronouncer yelled and everyone began clapping. Tiffany turned and gave Mary the “I told you look.”
The competition went on and on with Diamonds high losing two more questions to shines high school.
After a few more minutes the competition came to an end.
“Ladies and gentlemen, after careful deliberation from our Incorruptible judges we present to you, this year’s winner of Vancouver’s international spelling bee competition. And the winner is Tiffany Dion from Shine high school!” The Pronouncer announced and Tiffany leaped up in joy as she walked to the podium.
She took pictures with the Pronouncer, the judges, the conveners of the competition, Mrs Campbell, and Mary.
She also shook hands with Roy and Rebecca.
Her eyes suddenly moved to the crowd, and there was Shawn, sitted and clapping for her.
Her eyes widened as she wondered if she was daydreaming. She had to look away because they were about to wear her a medal. And by the time she looked back, he was no longer there!
SHAWN’S POV
He looked at his wrist watch and immediately took his suit jacket from where he hung it. It was lunch time, so he could rush to the competition and cheer her up a bit before coming back to work after lunch break was over.
He was about to get to the elevator when he bumped into Rachel. “Hey, Shawn? Are you going for lunch already?” She asked.
“No. I have to be somewhere. I will be back after lunch break. Could you please grab me a takeout?” Shawn asked, and tried to bring out money from his wallet.
“No. Keep your money. I will pay for it.” Rachel said.
“Okay, then. See you later.” Shawn said and got into the elevator.
He got to the parking lot, got into his car and hastily drove off. He hoped he was not late for the main show.
Luckily, he arrived when Tiffany was spelling the last word that made her win. He joined the crowd to clap for her.
And then, she was announced the winner. He watched her walk up the podium to take pictures and take her medal and other gifts.
She suddenly looked at the crowd and their eyes met. The expression on her face was priceless. Exactly what he wanted. He wanted her to be surprised.
Then she looked away, as they were about to wear her, her medal.
And that was when the pictures came in. Pictures of her kissing a boy in school. The boy was different from the other boy she hugged. He could tell from their different complexions and hair.
His face hardened, and he cast her an angry look even though she couldn’t see him. And with that, he hurried out of the hall.