It was a hot sunny day, the bus seats were hot and felt warm on my legs. Feeling the warm sun on me started to make me drift off until suddenly, “We are almost at the competition, are you guys ready!” My teacher shouted. That really made me wake up. I was so excited because we were going to compete in the 2023 math competition for kids! This competition was huge for me and Tommy. We've been working so hard to get accepted here. “Hey Robert, are you ready to win this competition!” My best friend Tommy said. “Duhh!” I replied. 

The bus makes a scratching sound, I look out the window to see a school with banners saying “The 2023 math competition”. We had finally arrived. As we entered the school he heard some kids snickering and pointing at us. Tommy and I looked different from other kids. Our faces were moved and shaped not like how other kids were shaped, we acted differently. We always get some laughs about it but adults always just tell us we are special and normal too. I don’t know if I should believe the adults that tell me that. Because kids are always laughing at me and Tommy. But me and Tommy keep on walking, we ignore them like we always have tried our whole lives. 

"HAHAHA"

“No way they were accepted to enter this competition! They probably cheated their way in” I heard some kids around us saying. We just kept walking. Soon we reached the stage where thousands of people came to watch Me and Tommy go against some kids named Lolo and Jackson. “I really hope Lolo and Jackson are nice..” Tommy whispered to me. “Yeah I hope so too.” I replied.

“No way they were accepted to enter this competition! They probably cheated their way in”

 “Please welcome Robert and Tommy to the stage!” The host announced. The crowd cheered, I felt so confident and ready to win this competition with the support I was hearing from the crowd. “Now ladies and gentlemen, please welcome the opponents Lolo and Jackson!” the host announced and then the crowd cheered. As Lolo and Jackson came up I started to realize that it was the same exact people that were making fun of me and Tommy.

        “Hey Robert.. I swear I recognize those kids. Do you recognize them?” Tommy asked me.

         “Yes Tommy, those are the same kids that we made fun of when we first walked into the school.” I replied. Now knowing that those were the same kids that were making fun of me and my best friend, I am more than ever determined to win this.

        “OMG, Hey you two! I remember you guys. The two kids that got lucky to be here. This is not even competition because people with special needs are never able to do anything” Lolo and Jackson said then start bursting out laughing. 

“Let the competition begin” The host announced to the crowd. The crowd roared in excitement. As we settled into our seats getting out paper and pencil ready we heard the first question. “What is 3 x 2?” The host asked both the teams.

 BUZZ from the opponent team “6” Lolo and Jackson answered. “Told you they are easy competition, I bet they don't even know how to click the buzzer” Lolo and Jackson snickered

Me and Tommy give each other a worried look. “Hey you know what's okay, it's just the first question” Tommy said in a worried tone. “Yeah.. you're right”. An hour later the competition is still going on. We were currently stuck in a tie, the only way to break the tie is to answer this last question. 

“Ladies and gentlemen, now for the tie breaking question! What is 29382 x 9?” The host said. Panicked looks on both teams. In this competition no calculators were allowed only a paper and pen. 

    “ There’s no way Robert and Tommy are going to get this with their conditions. Let's hurry up and win this” Jackson said. BUZZ “Is the answer is 2000?” Jackson asked.