"All NSMQ contestants are to meet me in their room now! No exceptions, all of you should be there." The voice of Mr. Fitz was heard booming through the sirens in the school, so Clara had to adjourn her meeting and dash into the room with Ellen. "You are finally going to see your partner, Elle. Don't be too surprised." Clara teased, and a name popped into Ellen's head, but she cleared that thought as quickly as it came. Everyone sat with his/her partner except Ellen, as usual. The seat next to her was empty, and she wondered who was supposed to be sitting there. Mr. Fitz announced he was done grading their last assignment and that the best three were the ones going to compete in the grand quiz. "Clara, where is he?" "He is coming, sir. I think." Mr. Fitz shook his head and announced the best two first. Everyone in there knew the "he" the teacher was talking about with Clara, except Ellen, who tried keeping his name off her head. It was not a surprise when Clara was the second best, with Ellen coming as the third, and that shocked them. Mr. Fitz was extremely proud of Ellen as being the only freshman after Henry's time to be this brilliant by surpassing form three brilliant students and making it to the top three. Eric came fourth and was added to the final contestants to balance the gender. Mr. Fitz was about to mention the overall best when the man of the moment arrived, making the teacher mention his name automatically: "HENRY KWABENA YAWSON". Ellen lost her balance as her head felt heavy, but felt a powerful arm around her waist from her front. 'Oh God, it really is him. But of course, how was it possible that the most brilliant boy on campus wasn't a part of the quiz team?' she thought and gulped. Henry studied her feet before leaving her waist. He was also shocked to see Ellen in the quiz room. "What is she doing here?" he asked no one in particular. "She is part of the team and the selected finalists for the national quiz this year. She is also your partner in the group. Ellen, meet your absentee partner, Henry. I'm sure you both know each other since both of you are quite famous on campus," Mr. Fitz explained, and Ellen nodded, but Henry was upset. "There is no way I'm teaming up with her, sir. Who even added her to the team? I thought the freshmen were now taking their exam, right?" he said. "Yes, they are, but Ellen needed no exam as she would have made the team, so the headmistress and I added her automatically. If you had stayed in school, you would have known what's going on here." Mr. Fitz replied, and Henry frowned. They took their seats, and though he didn't want to, he had to sit by Ellen. She, on the other hand, was disappointed he was treating her this way, even after saving her earlier from falling. They were assigned new projects, and Henry was instructed to help Ellen out, as it was a group project. "Will you calm down? I thought you liked her, so why this attitude? What is wrong with her being your partner? And besides, you two have an interview to do, remember?" Clara inquired, and Henry kept mute. "Just let it be, Clara. You know this guy; he will do it, don't worry. He just doesn't like surprises." Eric defended his buddy. Henry just shut up and waited till Ellen came back, while his friends left. "Um, I'm free now, so if you also are, can we begin the interview?" she asked cautiously. He just sighed and stood to leave. "Let's go to the snack square, I'm famished," He instructed and led the way. It was past supper time and Ellen couldn't go for dining. She followed for a while before asking, "Are you still going to pretend you don't know me? I know I must have said something hurtful, but did you have to go home and come back like I was a stranger? I'm really sorry Henry; I hope you can forgive me." She pleaded as they entered the snack square. She didn't notice the smile on his face as it disappeared as quickly as it appeared. "I want chips with malt please." He ordered. "Come on Henry, when did you lose your manners around a lady? Hi there, we haven't formally been introduced. I'm Eric, the guy you surprisingly overtook in the top three hahaha." Eric introduced himself, and Ellen smiled. "If you want to make introductions, do it, but leave me out of it. What manners did I lose huh?" Henry was the one to respond in agitation. "You ordered food for just you, that's what I'm talking about." Eric replied. "Oh, thanks but I'm not hungry." Ellen replied but 'grrrrr', her rumbling stomach gave her away. You could see blood rush to her fair face as she became embarrassed and ran to sit and go over her interviewing questions. "Hahaha, see that? Be a gentleman now, at least, bro. She missed supper because of you," Eric said with a laugh. "I didn't force her, did I?" he replied, and Eric shook his head in disbelief. Ellen was trying to tame her growling stomach when someone placed food in front of her. She raised her head shyly to see Eric smiling at her while Henry was still at the counter. "Here have this. I know you are starving," he said and pushed the plate forward. "Thank you," Ellen said shyly. "You are welcome, but you should be thanking that guy over there. He bought it; I'm only a delivery guy," he said, pointing to Henry. Ellen was surprised but pleased as well that he bought food for her. She started to eat after Eric refused her invitation and prayed over the food. She turned her head to find Henry gone and was shocked. "Don't think too much, he is going to change his uniform, that's all. He will be back soon," Eric assured before she calmed down. She was done eating in no time and was glad Eric was there to keep her company as they conversed and laughed together. Henry arrived to find them laughing hard and wondered what was funny. "Why are you two laughing like Hyenas?" he asked in an upset tone, a bit jealous that Eric was interacting well with Ellen after only introducing himself a while ago. "Oh, it's nothing actually. Sir Daniel just missed a step and fell flat on his face. The funny thing is, he dashed off with speed, out of embarrassment. Hahaha," Eric explained and laughed harder. Henry merely smiled as he took his seat. "Shall we begin the interview?" he asked Ellen, and she nodded. "Um, thank you for the food earlier," she said coyly. Henry just raised his brow but said nothing. The interview proceeded afterward, and they found it quite interesting. However, the next question caught all three by surprise, especially Ellen, who had no idea what she had blurted out until after it had come out. "DO YOU HAVE A GIRLFRIEND?" They were shocked by that question, and Eric was the first to recover as he roared with laughter. Henry narrowed his eyes at Ellen, who looked like a ripe tomato from how red her face had become. He was about to say something, but Eric beat him to it; "Actually, he doesn't, Miss Wilson. Would you like to occupy that vacancy?" he said teasingly, and Ellen almost fainted. "Oh no-no. That's not it. I don't know why it's part of the questions, I just asked impulsively. I'm sorry." Ellen tried to explain and apologize. "That's a wrap. We have prep, and you have to go get ready. See you later," Henry said and left. Ellen was so embarrassed but kept her cool and left, the interview coming to an end. She went back to change her uniform to the prep attire and left for class. Her friends were already seated and had been waiting for her. "Hi," She greeted. "Hey, Elle, how was your meeting at the quiz room? Any new assignment?" Kelly asked. "It went well. I met my partner today since there were no exceptions. And yes, I've got an assignment as I've been chosen as one of the finalists for the NSMQ," Ellen explained casually, intentionally leaving the identity of her partner. Both girls almost screamed when they remembered it was 5minutes to start prep. However, Abby asked Ellen, "Who is your mysterious partner?" Ellen swallowed hard and didn't want to answer the question. "Elle, she just asked you a question," Kelly probed. "Uh-um, you guys are not going to like what I say," Ellen answered, and they got a fair idea of who she was talking about. "You have got to be kidding me," Abby said, and Kelly shook her head. "Wow, is this fate or destiny?" Kelly asked. "It's witchcraft," Abby answered sarcastically, and they laughed. "Well, you can say it's all three because we just can't get rid of him, and you guys need to chill. Henry's a great guy, trust me," Ellen said. "There we go again, madam lawyer always defending him. Okay, dear Ellen, but don't get too disappointed if he fails you alright?" Kelly teased. "So does this mean I can hang with him again?" Ellen asked with unconcealed anticipation. "Well, since you guys are partners, you are literally going to be around each other, so yes, but be vigilant, alright?" Abby answered. "Alright," Ellen said with genuine happiness.
