"What do we do, brother?" Eleanor asked.

Meanwhile, Elvis crossed his hands over each other on his small back, as he paced back and forth, ruminating on his sister’s question.

Eleanor’s eyes followed his movements and when she couldn’t take it anymore cried out. "Can you sit down or be still for a moment. I’m feeling dizzy already from your ceaseless pacing."

"If you are feeling dizzy, just close your eyes. That way you won’t see me," Elvis said without sparing Eleanor a glance.

With a scowl on his face, he eventually stopped. "Now I can’t remember where I stopped in my thoughts due to your interruption."

Eleanor smirked, "You were thinking about how to approach dad."

"Not that. I was about coming up with a plan," Elvis snapped. Now he has to start the process all over again.

From his smart wristwatch, he saw that they had just five minutes to the end of break. His eyes narrowed slightly as he saw that they didn’t have much time again.

They were to all assemble in the school hall for an important announcement to be given immediately after break.

"Eleanor! Elvis!" Sophia’s chest rose and fell as she stood before the two siblings. "I knew you would be here. Everyone has started moving to the hall, let’s go," she said, taking Eleanor’s hands.

She had become more comfortable around Elvis after their outing the other day at the park, where everyone played together without inhibition.

She found out that it was not too difficult getting along with Elvis and he was quite free and accommodating when among the people he seemed to care about.

"What’s the rush about? I thought we were to meet after break?" Eleanor asked, her forehead puckering in a frown. 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖

"It’s almost time, Eleanor. If we don’t go in now, we might be forced to sit at the back and I know how much you love the front seat."

"Yeah, you are right. Let’s go."

Sophia glanced at Elvis who had resumed his pacing. "What is he thinking about that made him so serious?"

"He is always serious. Have you forgotten?" Eleanor dragged Sophia along. Let’s go."

"Elvis," Sophia called again.

"Go, I will meet you up later."

Sophia shrugged and left him alone, leaving with Eleanor. "What do you think the teacher is going to announce?"

"I don’t know, let’s hurry so that we can have a seat where we can hear her clearly."

The school hall was filled with a thrum of whispers and excited chatter as the children filed in to take their seats. The atmosphere was filled with anticipation, everyone eager for the Head Teacher’s announcement.

Sophia and Eleanor made their way to the front to check if there was still any empty seat.

Amidst the loud chatterings from other children, they heard someone calling their names.

"Eleanor, Sophia. Over here."

They followed the voice and found a dark haired boy with glasses waving and smiling at them from the second row.

It was Graham Summers, Sophia’s second cousin from her mother’s side. He was about a year older than them and had taken a liking to the two siblings from the very first day he saw them.

The moment he realized they were not yet in the hall, he had reserved some seats for them and his eyes had been trained on the door, waiting for them to show up.

"Hello Graham."

"Hello Graham, they greeted one after the other.

"Here," he said, gesturing to the seats beside him. "I reserved these seats for you guys."

"Thanks, Graham," the girls chorused and settled themselves down on the empty seats, leaving the one right next to Graham for Elvis.

"Where is Elvis? I thought you were all together," Graham asked, still looking around.

"Yes, we were. He will be joining us soon."

The school hall buzzed with excitement as more children filled the space, finding their seats.

Not long after, Graham who had returned to staring at the door, sighted Elvis and waved him over. It wasn’t up to a minute after Elvis sat down that the microphone emitted a loud sound.

The Head Teacher, a poised figure exuding authority, stepped forward.

"Good morning, children!"

At the sound of her voice, the chatter slowly died down, and all eyes were fixed on the Head Teacher.

"We have an exciting announcement to make. Next week, we will be hosting our annual sports event!"

"I know everyone has been practicing hard for it and I believe we are all ready for the big event."

The children erupted in cheers and applause, their enthusiasm echoing through the hall.

Sophia and Eleanor’s eyes shone with excitement.

Giggling, Sophia turned to Eleanor. "I can’t wait! What sport are you thinking of, Eleanor?"

The excitement could not be hidden from Eleanor’s voice as she answered, "I’m torn between basketball and swimming. They both sound so fun!"

"But you don’t know how to swim yet. I think you should stick with basketball," Graham advised.

"How about you, Elvis?" He wasn’t really expecting a reply from Elvis but was shocked when the next second Elvis said,

"Definitely soccer! I’ve been practicing my moves." He was even grinning when he asked Graham what he was interested in.

"I’m also going for Soccer," came Graham’s enthusiastic reply. "Sophia, you’ve not told us what sport you will participate in."

Sophia’s eyes sparkled. "I’m going for track and field! I love running, and I want to try the long jump too."

The school hall resonated with the joyful chatter of eager children, each bubbling with anticipation for the week ahead.

Eleanor and Elvis had completely forgotten they had something important to plan for amidst the excitement from the Head Teacher’s announcement.

It wasn’t until they passed by Hudson Corporations on their way back from school that they remembered they had an important task to accomplish aside from the school annual sporting event.

They turned to stare at each other then exchanged a smile before turning to face their mother’s back who was driving.