Presley's Point Of View;

The last thing I wanted to do was to meet him as I already felt bad enough. But this is the reason she wanted me to come here in the first place. So I had to, but I hoped she would be the one doing most of the talking. That way I could try to focus on calming myself down.

"Hello Bert, ready for the competition," she said to him as he passed his hand through his black hair with red highlights.

"Born ready Amelia, nice of you to participate this year," He said in a tone that seemed to show that he had gained some composure back.

Amelia hunched her shoulders similar to what she had done with me before in response. I expected the commanding and firm voice to come out as she was clearly offended.

"Participate? Oh! I plan on doing much more than that. You won't be an undefeated champion for much longer."

"Well nice of you to be so optimistic but the reality is participation is all you're going to have to settle for. There is no way a blind shrimp like you is going to be any trouble to me," Bertie answered with a smirk.

That didn't sound like friendly banter at all. As someone who is athletic, I would think he would have welcomed the competition. Judging from how Amelia's dog started growling at the guy I was right. Whether I'm feeling bad or not I can't have this guy talking to someone like that. I had to say something even if she wasn't going to say anything herself.

He stared at her intently and as he was going to open his mouth to say something else but before he could I cut in. "Woah ok, don't you think that's taking it too far?"

I hope the weakness in my voice wasn't heard but if I continued talking there would be no hiding it.

"Yeah, it's just a friendly competition. No need to resort to insults," Mitchum added shortly after.

"And just who are you guys supposed to be?" he asked us as he now took notice of our presence. It felt like he was scanning us with his eyes and whatever he saw he didn't seem very impressive.

"They are some of my friends I invited over to watch me win." Amelia then spoke up and said.

That command in her voice didn't fade. I can only wish I could sound that way. Bertie then put his attention back on her, likely to ignore us again.

"Well then, there in for a lot of disappointment, see you on stage. Or at least I'll see you you won't know the buzzer from the table. Sandra come on, I have a competition to win!"

He turned his back towards her and left with the girl following him. Since I was closer to her I could tell she was of possibly Indian descent also. She wore dark shades with a long sleeve brown hoodie that camouflaged her dark hair. It was almost like she was trying to hide in plain sight. All she was missing was a facemask and headphones. Then it would be the perfect don't talk to me outside outfit.

I would know, I invested a lot in those things throughout high school. That way you can avoid talking to people without coming off as rude. Of course, there are expectations like Mitchum who don't get what it stands for.

"See what I mean, there is no way a guy of his character could actually win a tournament in Chemistry," Amelia said to me bringing me back out of my thoughts from watching the girl walk away.

I couldn't entirely agree with her statement as I believe everyone has their talent no matter how messed up they are. My dad was a very talented construction worker for a company but that certainly didn't make him father of the year.

I took a deep breath again as I felt a some relief from the pressure on my chest. "He could just be a smart jerk," I muttered.

"I'm not saying that he's not smart, I'm just saying that he's not that smart," Amelia answered as she heard me. She wasn't letting this go, so that means I have to take it seriously.

"What are you guys talking about?" Mitchum asked, entering the conversation again. I knew it would all be confusing for him because I didn't tell him the real reason I came here.

"I'll tell you later, the tournament is going to start any minute so we have to find a place in the audience," I answered but I fully well knew that there was no way I was bringing this back up again unless it became necessary.

"No need, here take this; it will bump you up to the front row. They'll think you're my helpful associates and let you sit there automatically." Amelia then took out of her pocket and gave us two passes that we could hang around our necks.

"Shouldn't this be used for actual helpful associates?" Mitchum asked as he took his own from her before I did.

"You are helping me, besides they do that for most of the contestant's friends anyway. Now go and take Octo with you. I can't bring him on stage during the competition," Amelia more or less ordered us in a stern tone.

Mitchum took the leash that Amelia gave him to walk him to our seats. Her dog's name sounded rare. I'd think that name would have been better for an octopus if you had one as a pet but I wouldnt be the one to question it.

We went out from backstage and showed the security guard nearest to the stage the pass Amelia gave us. He allowed us to go in the front row as it was just separated by the purple velvet rope from the rest of the crowd. This is a bit more comfortable for me.

"Are you feeling ok? Your voice sounds really congested or something," Mitchum asked when we got in the space. I just nodded yes, and avoided his gaze by looking forward at the stage.

Although Mitchum didn't say anything I knew that meant he was just not ready to pursue it yet and I'm sure he was wondering what I had gotten him involved in. It was still noisy as the voices of others echoed through the room even though the ceilings were not as high. The entire room was airconditioned so the voices would probably bounce off the walls and the contestants had a small voice amplifier attached to the collar of their shirts as they came on stage. They seem to be running last minute audio checks with them.

The stage itself was average size but it was high enough that I think the audience in the back could see. Not that it would really matter since it had one large monitor on both the left and right side of the surrounding walls. In any case, if tried to explain to Mitchum now it would mean I'd have to shout and I'm not feeling well enough to do that.

My only complaint is that there were no seats other than the one by the security guard that let us pass the velvet rope. But when I took a look behind me and saw that as people poured in some of them even bought their own portable chairs. I guess that made sense since this seemed like a temporary setting. The stage itself looked like it could be disassembled and reassembled as the poles that stuck out of the covering of the white tarp blocking backstage.

When I looked over to Mitchum again, his attention was no longer on me thankfully. Octo sat next to Mitchum as calmly as he did with Amelia outside. I'm glad that Mitchum had him cause I'm not sure he would feel as relaxed with me.

The owner of "said dog" isn't exactly to keen about me either and he could sense that. I was just doing her a favor after all, so I was probably just tolerable.

"Hey, can you hold Octo for a while? My phone died and I want to use the charging port near the guard."

I wanted to tell him that I could do that for him instead but he had already put the leash in my hand and walk away. This is what I get for not being able to say no. As fast as the least was in my hand Octo started tugging on the chain. I didn't have a good hold on it yet so out of my hand, the leash slipped and he ran into the crowd.

I told Mitchum that I would get the dog back as I ducked under the rope passing the guard he was talking to. To make matters worse someone on the stage started to talking to the audience to get their attention so they could start. What was I going to do now that I had lost Octo?

I stood in the crowd seeing everyone starting to settle themselvesinto their seat and no sign from him. Then I felt a hand on my shoulder and I turned to see the same guy Bertie had thrown out from behind the stage earlier.

"This is your dog, right? I saw you standing next to him backstage. He just ran into the lighting room as the door was open and ate my beef jerky sandwich," He said with a smile as he handed me the leash.

I apologized because, I of all people know that a smile doesn't mean everything ok. The last thing I needed was to make an enemy during my first week here over a sandwich. This guy though responded to me as if it was no big deal.

"That's alright, it wasn't that good anyway. I prefer to eat it on white bread. But you better keep a tighter hold on him, not everyone is as forgiving as me," he answered with what seemed to accompany it was an awkward laugh. So instead of being polite, I somehow managed to make the situation uncomfortable. I mentally groan as it reminds me that this is why I only have one friend.