Here's to Second Place
Your Point of View
"Attention students this is your principal, I'm sorry for this interruption, but I would like to let everyone know that three weeks from now we will be having a science fair. The fair is being funded by a local college, who will be giving out a scholarship to the first place winner! If you're interested please sign up at the bulletin board in the main hall. That is all."
For the first time I was actually interested in what the principal had to say. I was actually pretty good at science, (A/N if not, you are now, mate) and since my family wasn't the richest, that scholarship would be amazing. If I could get a college degree and I would be able to provide for my family.
My mind was set on entering the science fair, so the second the bell rang I was up and out the door. I sped walked all the way to the bulletin board, to find some people had already signed up. When I reached for the pen and another hand grabbed it.
I followed the hand up I found it connected to a boy I knew very little about. His name was Todd and he hung out with the 'Freaks' of the school as many called them. I never minded them, always saw them as just normal people.
Realizing I still had my hand in the pen I let go and he brought it up, signed the sheet, then handed the pen to me. I signed my name and then looked at Todd who was still standing there.
"You're Todd, right?" I seemed to almost startle him, like I took him out of a trance.
"O-oh yes, umm and you're (Y/N)." I nodded to him,
" We have next period together, right?" This time he nodded, so I continued, "Want to walk together?"
"Sure, why not..." We had Mrs. Packerton for our next class, he actually didn't sit to far away from me.
"Sooooo," I started, not wanting to walk in silence "Why'd you sign up for the science fair?"
"Science is... one of my strong suits... and a scholarship sounds nice." I nodded to his answer and said,
" Yeah, I'm kinda the same way, I really want that scholarship." We stopped just in front of Mrs. Packertons door and he turned to me with his hand out.
" May the best win." I took his hand and said sarcastically,
" Thanks, I will." We laughed a bit and went in.
One week later
I had my idea and design ready, all I had to do was build it. My idea was a portable water turbine, that when water is moving through it, energy is made. The test machines worked fine, I just needed a final project and a poster to go with it.
The whole week I'd been working on my generator, I couldn't get Todd out of my head. He was one of the smartest people I knew, so I was a little nervous that I'd lose to him. After we met at the bulletin board, we've talked just a bit more then normal. Casual conversations about how our work was going and etc. The way he talked, he had everything under control.
Todd's Point of View
I have nothing under control! I've had countless ideas, but all of them have failed. I've even considered borrowing the super gear boy from Sally Face, but I know it'd be against the rules. I thought I had this in the bag! I even lied to (Y/N)'s face! God I'm hopeless!
I held my face a let a long sigh leave my lips. I looked down at my watch to see the time.
[2:15 am]
I groaned knowing that I'd probably be exhausted tomorrow. I again looked at my watch. All it did was tell the time and for some people, look nice. But the got me thinking... what if it did more.
One week and Six days later
Your Point of View
Everyone who signed up for the science fair was asked to the gym to set up our displays for tomorrow. The fair was going to be on Saturday, and all were welcome (though most kids would probably stay home.)
When I walked into the gym holding my box filled with everything I needed, I noticed there was only around twenty or so tables for everyone. Meaning that there wasn't many kids doing the science fair this year.
I wondered around the gym looking at my competition and for my assigned table. When I finally found it, I looked to my left to see Todd setting up his display. In big black letters at the top of his poster read " The Advanced Watch" ( A/N the game takes place in the 90's sooo no smart watches)
I sat down my box and walked over to him.
" Hi Todd!" I said cheerfully seeing him jump a bit.
" O-oh hey (Y/N), good to see you." I smiled and said,
"Good to see you too!... Sooooo 'The Advanced Watch' huh?"
I asked reading over his poster.
" Y-yeah," He started as he rubbed the back of his neck. "I've had the idea for a long time now."
I nodded along and turned to look at the now red faced ginger. 'I wonder why he's so red?' I thought 'Maybe he's just nervous.'
" Well good luck to you and really, let the best win!" I said with a smile and walked over to my display, as I did I heard behind in an almost whisper.
"Thanks, I will." I giggled and by the way he looked at me, he knew I had heard him.
The day of the Science Fair
Today was the day, I dressed in the best clothes I was trying to look good for the judges. When I looked over at Todd I guess he had the same idea. He had a nice white buttoned up shirt with a lovely baby blue bow tie.
Since it wasn't time for the judging just yet, I walked over to Todd.
"Good evening, Todd." I said walking over to him. He had been looking at the floor, so when he heard me, his head shot up.
" Oh hey, good evening to you too," He looked down at my clothes and continued, "You look nice." I smiled and blushed slightly at the complement.
" Thanks, you too Todd."
We stood there for a second in silence, when I looked up at his display. His invention not only looked amazing, but really did work. A sense of happiness and sadness washed over me. While my generator we useful, his watch was something no one had ever seen before. I had a feeling he would win, it made me sad for I really wanted that scholarship, but also happy it would go to someone like him.
"I hope you win." I said softly, moving my eyes from the watch to him.
" M-Me? Why?" I smiled and turned fully to him.
"If I'm going to lose, I'd at least want the win to go to someone I care about." He face, like many times before was a cherry red.
"W-well same to you, I think your device would be great all over the world in many different scenarios." I smiled and felt my cheeks burn a bit. I walked over to him, but this time instead of a hand shake I hugged him, in which he slowly hugged me back.
" Ok everyone!" One of the judges yelled. " To your tables, it's time for the judging." Me and Todd slowly separated, and at the same time whispered. " Good luck."
I stood at my table as the judges walked down the aisle. Two men, one being the principal, and a woman. The path they took made it where Todd would go before me.
When they made it to him, I could always see him shake, but when his eyes met mine he loosened up and cleared his throat.
He talked clear and a bit slow to make sure they understood. He let the three try on the watch and showed off the different things he added. By the end of it the college representative look pleased and told him, "Well done."
I gave him a thumbs up, getting one back from him.
Next was my turn, I also cleared my throat as Todd did and began my presentation. I went over possible scenarios, the uses, and even the fact with more time ( and money) I could make it even better. To demonstrate I had two buckets in between the machine, the top bucket held water, the bottom would collect the excess.
I tipped the top bucket and watched and the water fell onto the machine, moving the turbine. A row of lights on the side of it showed just how much energy it made. To provide it collected energy, I plugged in an old alarm clock and had it go off. The judges clapped and said, "My machine was wonderful."
When the walked away, Todd and I high fived and then talked about each other's presentation.
Finally the time had came and it was time to find out how had won. Me and Todd stood side by side, and in fear I took his hands, in which he gave a small squeeze.
"Before I say the winners, I liked to say that everyone did a wonderful job.... In third place was their solar powered light... Ray Simmons!" They walked up and received a new backpack and note books (They weren't happy)
" And In second place... we have a tie! With Todd Morrison and (Y/N) (L/N)!" We looked at each other, confused and slowly made our way to the stage.
Time skip to later that evening
" I can't believe we lost to a paper-mâché volcano!" I almost yelled as we sat in a local ice cream shop.
"And our prizes was t-shirts and coupons for ice cream." Todd said picking at his Sunday. I sighed and picked my head off the table, then took a sip of my milkshake.
"... At least we lost together... ya know." I smiled up at Todd, who smiled back at me. He then took my hand and held it again. I held it back and picked up my milkshake saying.
" Here's to second place!"
(A/N hoped you liked it, I had the hardest time thinking of what Todd's invention should be.)
Edited: 9-6-20