Kylie waved once again, friendly as ever.

Lucas and Ava, their mouths rising in slight smiles, seemed to take note of Marianne’s blank notebook. They whispered something to each other.

Next, a history question.

“Oh yeah, my time to shine! Bring on some Founding Fathers!” Lucas announced, rubbing his hands together.

“No commentary, please,” Mr. Garcia said, ice cold.

“So sorry, I’m super sorry,” Lucas said.

Ava and Jalilah giggled.

“Just like Andy,” Dan whispered. “So cocky. It’s not all Founding Fathers, you know…”

Marianne loved Dan. He was going to destroy Lucas.

“Ahem,” Mr. Garcia quieted them. She wondered if he’d lose his cool again that day. Twice would be a lot for the typically inscrutable Mr. G. “Who led the Nez Perce tribe as it marched to Canada, fleeing the US Army?”

Lucas buzzed in so hard the buzzer flew off the table.

“Chief Joseph, baby!” Lucas hollered.

He stood up and slammed high fives to each of his teammates. “Team Hayes!” he shouted.

“Um, I object?” Jalilah said.

The four kids laughed. “Okay, okay, fair. Team … Einstein?”

“I like it,” Kylie said.

At least Kylie wouldn’t be able to dominate a subject like the other three. Marianne had a bad grades soul mate on the other side of the tables.

Next to her, Dan deflated.

“Lucky guess,” Marianne whispered to him.

“He knows his stuff.” Dan seemed to disappear into himself.

Oh no, he couldn’t give up that easy! Marianne craned her neck to check on Nina. She had gone all in on her fingernails and her limbs bounced on overdrive.

Marianne felt so bad for her. Was she extra nervous because she’d seen them mocking Quiz Quest on Dan’s post? It was all Marianne’s fault. Marianne quickly wrote down a note and passed it to Nina. It read: it’s okay! stop worrying!!!

Nina tilted her head forward and looked sadly at Marianne like there was nothing to be done.

Lucas retrieved the buzzer from the floor and performed a goofy dance with it all the way back to the table, to his twin’s delight.

History questions came again, and Dan seemed to have disappeared.

The Stamp Act

Frederick Douglass

“Remember the Alamo!”

The Oregon Treaty

Lucas and Jalilah took turns answering, and Marianne could feel Vi seething from a seat over.

“Now for some cinema!” Mr. Garcia said.

Dan fidgeted in his chair, pulling himself up a bit.

“I’m back,” he whispered to Marianne.

“Go, Dan,” said Vi.

“I just created a memory palace for Best Actress Oscar winners,” he went on, stretching his neck, preparing. “I’ve got every year down. Let’s go.” He stared right at Lucas.

“No. Commentary,” Mr. Garcia reminded them. “This will not be allowed at competition. Do you hear me?” he asked, clearly trying to restrain his annoyance.

They all nodded, Nina particularly vigorously.

“Here we go, here we go…” Dan said under his breath.

“Who was the youngest actor/actress to ever win an Academy Award?” Mr. Garcia asked.

As Dan jumped forward to buzz, Kylie hit the buzzer first.