Dear Rival - A Deal for the Science Fair

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Dear Rival

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Episode 2 – A Deal for the Science Fair

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The following Monday, the classroom buzzed with excitement as everyone settled into their seats.

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Their homeroom teacher walked in carrying a pile of folders.

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"Good morning, everyone. The annual Science Fair is only three weeks away. This year, you'll be working in pairs."

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Excited whispers spread across the room.

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The teacher continued, "I've already chosen the pairs."

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Iris leaned toward Naomi.

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"Please don't let me end up with someone who never speaks."

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Naomi grinned.

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"You mean someone like Evelyn?"

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Before Iris could answer, the teacher called out,

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"Iris Hart... and Evelyn Cross."

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The classroom fell silent for a second before several students burst into laughter.

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"Of course!"

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"The rivals are together!"

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Naomi covered her face, trying not to laugh.

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Iris let out a dramatic sigh.

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"I must have terrible luck."

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Across the room, Evelyn simply closed her notebook.

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"I don't mind."

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Iris blinked.

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"Really?"

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"As long as we finish the project on time."

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The teacher handed each pair a topic.

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"You'll be presenting renewable energy."

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After class, the two met in the library to discuss their project.

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Iris placed a notebook on the table.

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"So... how should we divide the work?"

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Evelyn thought for a moment.

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"You can prepare the presentation slides."

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"And you?"

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"I'll build the working model."

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Iris frowned.

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"That's not fair."

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Evelyn looked up.

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"Why?"

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"You'll end up doing the harder part."

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"I don't mind."

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Iris shook her head.

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"If we're partners, we should share the work equally."

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For the first time, Evelyn looked slightly surprised.

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After a short silence, she nodded.

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"Alright."

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The atmosphere became less awkward as they discussed ideas.

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They even found themselves agreeing on most things.

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When they finished, Iris stretched her arms.

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"I didn't expect this to go so smoothly."

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"You expected us to argue?"

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"A little."

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Evelyn closed her notebook.

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"You talk too much."

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Iris laughed.

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"And you talk too little."

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As they left the library, it had started raining.

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Students rushed toward the school gate with umbrellas.

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Iris looked up at the grey sky.

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"I guess we're stuck here until the rain stops."

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Evelyn quietly opened her umbrella.

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Without saying anything, she held it slightly toward Iris.

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Iris hesitated.

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"You don't have to."

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"We're walking the same way for a while."

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After a moment, Iris stepped under the umbrella.

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The walk home was peaceful.

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They didn't talk much, but the silence no longer felt uncomfortable.

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When they reached the intersection where their roads separated, Iris smiled.

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"Thanks... for sharing your umbrella."

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Evelyn gave a small nod.

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"You're welcome."

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They went their separate ways, each carrying a different impression of the other than they had just a few days earlier.143Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQzs7wo8whe

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