31

Today was the day we were going to the Olympiads-- the real reason why we're here at Greece.

My heels click on the floor with each bounce of my leg.

I was sitting on the bed impatiently, waiting for Iris to get ready.

I glanced over at the picture the French man had taken of us yesterday on the boat.

For some reason, my eyes were drawn to  Daniela's lips pressing against my skin.

I swear I could still feel the warmth of her lips on my cheek and the way my heart fluttered at her touch.

I remember we went back to the villa and I had to wash my face because both Daniela and Iris' lipstick were stained against my cheeks.

Day one was completed, and already had a bunch of core memories.

As Iris finally emerged from the bathroom, her bright smile pulling me out of my thoughts.

I tucked the photo away in my bag.

"Ready to go?" I asked, standing up.

Iris nodded eagerly. I think just being here actually made her a bit more excited for the Olympiads.

"Ready as I'll ever be." She walked over to me and hook her arm around my shoulder, bringing me into her side.

"Let's go make memories, Vic." She grins, "The day we leave, everybody will know our names. They'll be saying, 'Αυτά τα δύο κορίτσια είναι τόσο έξυπνα!'"(Those two girls are so smart!)

"You know Greek?" I frown.

"Nah, I googled it." She shrugged, "Wanted to say that for a while to motivate you."

"Are you motivated?"

"Very."

It was a grand hall where we were writing.

Even inside the Greek-inspired architecture made itself known.

The walls had carvings of the 12 Greek gods and scenes from Greek mythology, while the high ceilings were supported by towering columns that reached up to the sky.

The room was filled with students from all around the world, each one sitting at a sleek, modern desk with a white notebook and pen in front of us.

The air was full of chatters, yet Iris and I were the only quiet ones.

That's because we were split up.

They didn't allow students from the same university to sit near each other.

We all were definitely nervous, I could see it in their faces.

All thirty of us.

While I was busy looking at the art on the walls, I notice everyone stopped talking.

We were about to begin.

The professors, including Daniela, stood up with papers in their hands. And started to hand it out to their students.

There was a very long table in the front looking out to all of us.

It's the kind of table you'll have a meeting at.

There were about 8 professors sitting around it.

There were even some people walking around and standing at the doors, probably for security or to check if we're not cheating.

Professor gave Iris a paper, whispered her something, then walked to me.

I gulped as her eyes locked with mine.

She stood next to me.

Not next to the table, but right next to my seat where I was sitting, and crouched down.

I was about to have a heart attack when I tilted my head to the side to look at her.

She was looking at me through the top of her eyes.

"They don't allow us to help, or even answer you if you put your hand up." She said softly.

"O-Oh, okay." I whisper nervously, "But, what if I need to go to the bathroom?"

She stands up, "What makes you think there's a bathroom in here?"

She places the paper down on my table. "Sign here." She said, pointing her finger, and I signed.

She took the paper back and this time looked down at me.

It felt like she was searching for something in my eyes, and I couldn't help but to get all shy.

"Nikolas Antoniou is the host of the Olympiad, he'll come and hand out the questions right after everyone signed." She said.

All I could do is nod.

She definitely hesitated to do something before she did it.

My mind went blank as I felt her hand on my thigh.

Her touch was as light as a feather, but it still did things to me.

My legs pressed shut together, and I didn't mean for it to happen.

That didn't make her pull her hand away though.

"You can do it." She whispers against my ear.

I was certain after that I couldn't anymore.

I was going to think about her breath against my skin and her hand on my thigh while writing.

Maybe I was doomed.

She gave my thigh a squeeze which made my muscles tense.

Luckily she let go before she could feel it, and walked away.

Daniela joined all the other professors at the table before a man stood up that was sitting at the end.

He moved to the front.

"Boys and girls, you are here today to participate in the Spanish Olympiads. You can call it a writing exam, only much harder, and of course, in Spanish. The average human has an IQ of 90-100 You'll need above average. You'll have a higher chance in passing if you guess." The man, who I believe to be the host, Nikolas, said strictly.

The fear was showing off of the people around me.

He looks somewhere mid fifties maybe. Very tall, 6'2 maybe.

Pale. White hair.

"Very well then, I'll start handing these out." He shows the papers, "You'll write the answers in the given notebook with the pen in front of you. I will blow a whistle that indicates you may start writing."

Mr. Antoniou walked through the rows, licking is finger to grab the papers easily and giving one to each of us.

Daniela was staring at me.

"Right then, I believe everyone has a question paper." The host said and he grabbed a whistle out of his briefcase at the desk.

The whistle went off.

"Begin."