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THIRD PERSON ~ Saturday

The day opened up with a big bang. Betilla and her people got ready for the competition. They were dressed in their school's uniform to show representation. They marched down to the school after getting a quick breakfast. Their hands were occupied by endless bundles of flashcards for the upcoming competition. They really wanted to win. The competition was scheduled to start by noon and will last until late evening due to frequent breaks that will be taken. 

Archer, on the other hand, is seen struggling to knot his tie while skimming through flashcards he had stolen from his teammate. He cursed under his breath as he got in his car and headed to school. There was supposed to be a last-minute revision for their team. Which he was late for apparently. He parked his car and technically ran to the classroom. All the heads turned to him as he walked into the class while trying to catch his breath. He ran a hand through his hair as he leaned on a chair to gather himself. "Archer, you're late and not fashionably late as I expected. Your tie is a mess." The teacher had scolded. That etched a scowl on Archer's face. 

Betilla was having a hard time, partially because of the competition. Her feelings were all over the place. Not only figuratively but literally, she had also confessed her feelings to Archer and he basically left her hanging. She had trouble preparing but she had to get herself together at least for this day. Her phone buzzed signalling that it was noon and the competition had officially started. She hurriedly made her way to the gymnasium. The crowd made her get the tingles. She saw Mae seated next to Kayden and Anne. She walked to them. The opposing team weren't on seat yet. 

"Look guys, I know these past few days haven't been easy on you." The teacher said. No shit. "I want you to know that I trust you and I hope you have fun out there. We don't have to win, we are already winners." That was a shitty pep talk. Archer scoffed under his breath. A student said, "It's five past noon sir." They were late already. "Go! Go! GO!" 

Betilla held her breath as they announced their names. They also called the names of those competing against them. Her heart dropped when she heard Archer's name being called. As if on cue, he walked in with an unreadable expression. She felt used and misled. No doubt that reduced her vibe. One could tell he knew how she felt. There was a moment that he appeared sympathetic for her but it vanished as soon as it appeared. 

"Detergent is defined as....." The quizmaster asked. In a second, Anne pushed her buzzer and answered. "A liquid surfactant." It was correct, what a good way to start the competition, in favour of her team. Betilla was too busy stealing glances at Archer which he never returned. Mae noticed that and gave her a firm pinch in the arm. That snapped her right in action. 

"Proteins are made up of ......." The next question, Betilla was ready to answer but Archer beat her to it, "Amino acids." He said smugly with his accent. Her blood grew hot. That's how the competition between them panned out with Betilla only landing a few answers in. It was time for the appointed break. She rushed out to follow his retreating figure. He seemed to know she was following him so he stopped when they reached an empty classroom. 

"What the actual fuck Archer!" She exclaimed. He remained speechless. "You could have told me, oh Betty, I'm in the competition so heads up." She continued. She paced in front of him twice and stopped, "Why ask me to tutor you then if you're smart enough to compete?" She questioned and it got him speechless. "Cat got your tongue huh?" She pushed, tears making their way into her eyes. "You have to stop feeling things for me." He said and crushed her heart for the umpteenth time. So apparently, all those moments they spent together meant nothing to him?

She stepped back, and said, "You're angry because I have feelings for you?" She tilted her head looking at him like he would do to her. "I have fucking feelings for you Archer!" She spat. There was a tick in his jaw and he walked out. And the flood gates opened. It was a fifteen-minute break so she used the remaining time to bawl her eyes out and still made herself look presentable. Once Mae saw her after the break, she only said, "I told you so, Bee." and a pat on her back accompanied that. 

The competition continued and once they reached the last section, the two teams tied. They had to select an individual to represent and answer a question on Biology. Betilla was picked for her team and just her luck, Archer was picked for his. The final tiebreaker was on the topic,  diffusion. The irony of the situation. "What phenomenon exists in the smell of perfume?" The question went. 

They both knew the answer. She was torn between saying the answer and reliving the moments she spent discussing it with Archer in his room, with his perfume. Basically, she was daydreaming on the spot. Archer was torn between saying the correct answer and breaking her heart which in turn will hurt him or let her win and then be chastised by his teammates. She looked at Archer who was already looking at her.

"Diffusion." He answered. It was correct. He had won and they had lost. He felt bad after. Betilla didn't stay for the rest of the ceremony. She burst out of the place and went to the library which was surprisingly open. Her team had lost because of her stupid feelings for Archer. She decided there and then about her true feelings for him. He was always on her mind, his actions meant the world to her. She loved him. There was no denying that. What had she got to lose if she told him now? Nothing so she did. "Meet me in the lib." She sent to him. 

Moments later, his footsteps were heard. He reached their section and saw her standing. She rushed to him and pulled him into a hug. He was surprised but hugged her nonetheless. She leaned into him and whispered into his ear, "I love you, Archer." He stopped moving altogether, he seemed almost frozen. She shuddered and exhaled a breath that she had been holding.

"I'm in love with you." She said again more firmly. Just to make sure he knew it was sincere. There was no response. She left his embrace, he seemed deep in thought. "Please say something, Arch." She pleaded. He looked down at her. 

"You can't love me." He finally said. "I can and I do." She answered firmly and went for his embrace again. He stepped back. "I can't love you." He concluded. "I'm sorry I hurt you, Betty."

For the third time, he left...

AN

There you have it! This chapter took so much effort so please show some love. Questions are from the link below

https://www.jagranjosh.com/general-knowledge/1000-gk-question-and-answers-on-general-science-1487151522-1

She finally confessed to her but his reply prolly broke her. Aww