The journey from Onitsha to Awka was a mix of excitement and nervous anticipation for the representatives of Martist Boys and Girls School. As the bus rolled along the highway, Victory leaned against the window, watching the scenery change. Destiny, seated beside him, flipped through a book with a look of intense concentration which surprised everyone because he wasn't participating in the competition. Adah, Helen, and Ben sat in the row behind them, quietly discussing last-minute preparations for the provincial-level competition.
Their teachers, Mrs. Pete and Mrs. Ojimaga, sat at the front of the bus, whispering amongst themselves about how young their team was. It wasn’t common for juniors to represent a town at this level, and they both knew the pressure would be immense.