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The classroom buzzed with the noise of busy students. Everyone was working on their projects for the science fair, though some more eagerly than others. Posters, experimental setups, and scattered papers filled the room. Ms. Hatzilakos strolled between the desks, observing her students' progress.
"All right, remember the fair is tomorrow at 9 sharp," she said, stopping to address the class. "Well, it looks like some of you are almost finished." Her gaze shifted to a few desks still in disarray. "And looking around the room, it looks like some of you are lagging behind. Does anyone need any help?"
"Yes, please, Ms. Hatzilakos," JT called out, raising his hand like an eager student.
Ms. H walked over to him with a resigned sigh. Meanwhile, Manny leaned over Emma's desk, admiring her detailed charts and diagrams.
"Em, your project is gonna be so awesome," Manny said enthusiastically. "I can't believe how much work you did." She grabbed a helmet from nearby and placed it on Toby's head. "You are so gonna win."
Jackie, who stood nearby working on her own project about the effects of color on memory retention, smiled. "Seriously, Emma. It's amazing. You've really outdone yourself this time."
Liberty, overhearing the conversation, couldn't resist joining in. "Um, no," she said confidently. "My project on the effects of life deprivation on household plants is so detailed, so thorough, it impresses even me. Sorry."
Manny rolled her eyes. "Don't let her bug you," she whispered to Emma.
"It's not her," Emma admitted with a sigh. "It's my project. It's not working. Two of the kids did better eating junk food."
Liberty, now fully interested, smirked from her desk. "Really, who?" Manny asked, leaning in with curiosity.
Emma pointed toward JT, who was struggling to keep a jar of liquid from tipping over. Just as she gestured, the jar spilled all over Ms. Hatzilakos's desk.
"Sorry," JT said sheepishly, causing everyone to turn and stare.
Toby quickly removed the helmet Manny had placed on his head. "Sorry," he echoed, as if trying to distance himself from JT's mess.
————
Emma caught up with JT and Toby as they strolled through the hall. She was visibly annoyed.
"Whoa, what'd I do now?" JT asked, throwing up his hands in mock innocence.
"You did better after eating junk," Emma snapped. "You faked my test, and you ruined my project."
"Moi?" JT asked, placing a hand on his chest dramatically. "Why would I do that? I only did your stupid project for the free food."
Emma scowled. "Well, there's no other explanation."
"Sure there is," Toby offered. "The health food you eat for breakfast stinks."
"Yeah," JT added with a smirk, "and it's trying to escape." He punctuated his statement with a loud burp.
Emma groaned in frustration and stormed off, leaving the two boys laughing. Toby burped in solidarity, earning a laugh from JT.
As Emma disappeared around the corner, Jackie walked by with Manny. She paused when she saw JT. "What are you two laughing about?" she asked, her tone playful.
JT immediately straightened up, his goofy grin softening into an awkward smile. "Oh, uh, nothing. Just science stuff."
Jackie chuckled, shaking her head. "Sure. See you at the fair," she said, walking off with Manny.
JT watched her leave, his gaze lingering. "She's so amazing," he murmured to Toby.
Toby smirked. "Why don't you just talk to her?"
JT shook his head, sighing dreamily. "You don't just talk to Jackie. You strategize. You plan."
"Or you just keep dreaming," Toby teased, patting JT on the back as they walked off.
————
The science fair was in full swing, with students presenting their projects to teachers, parents, and classmates. JT stood by his display, grinning as Mr. Raditch approached.
"Mr. Raditch," JT began, gesturing to his setup. "I give you the woman of the future."
Raditch raised an eyebrow, already skeptical. "Do I want to know what this is?"
JT picked up two blobs of what looked like dough. "It's a replacement for silicone in breast implants. One hundred percent natural. Made of water, flour, and lard." He pressed the blobs to his chest for emphasis.
Raditch sighed heavily. "Toby," he said, turning away, "would you like to show me your project now?"
Toby eagerly stepped forward. "Surveillance: Friend or Foe?" he announced, guiding Raditch to his display.
Across the room, Emma stood with Manny and Jackie, lamenting her project's shortcomings.
"My project was gonna be so good," Emma said with a sigh.
Manny, unfazed, bit into a chocolate bar. "Chocolate in the morning?" Emma asked, surprised.
"I know it's not good for me," Manny replied with a shrug, "but it tastes like happy."
Emma's eyes lit up as inspiration struck. "Manny, you're brilliant!" she exclaimed, sprinting away to make some last-minute adjustments. Jackie and Manny exchanged confused glances but smiled at Emma's newfound enthusiasm.
————
The awards ceremony was underway, and Ms. Hatzilakos stood at the podium. "Congratulations once again to Nadia for winning first prize in the grade seven class," she announced as applause filled the room. "And now, for our final award, junior science fair first prize."
Liberty pushed through the crowd confidently. "Hope the engraver spelled my name right," she muttered, brushing past others.
"And it goes to... Emma Nelson, for The Mind/Body Connection!"
The crowd erupted into applause. Emma walked up to accept her award, a mixture of surprise and pride on her face.
"Congratulations," Ms. Hatzilakos said, handing her the trophy.
From the sidelines, Manny leaned over to whisper to Liberty, "You are so jealous."
Liberty shook her head, though her expression betrayed her. "I'm not jealous," she insisted. "I'm appalled. Teacher's pet wins again."
Emma held up her trophy, her smile triumphant as the crowd clapped.
In the corner of the room, JT snuck another glance at Jackie, who was clapping along with the crowd. "I think this is the best science fair ever," he muttered to himself.
