Chapter 215: A Quiet Kind of Star
Micah returned to his seat with his hands shoved into his pockets. He pulled the chair back lazily and dropped into it. But Darcy’s chair beside him was empty. Micah frowned slightly, eyes scanning the room.
Then he spotted him. Darcy stood in the middle of a small crowd, not too far off. Archie’s teammates surrounded him like he was the sun and they were caught in his orbit.
They leaned in when he spoke. Some nodded excitedly. A few girls covered their mouths when they laughed, clearly charmed. The guys didn’t look much better. Their faces open and focused, eyes sparkling like kids meeting a hero.
It was full of awe and admiration.
Micah stared for a few seconds, watching Darcy answer a question with that calm voice of his, his posture upright. There was no cocky tilt to his chin, no smugness in his tone. He didn’t try to act impressive, and yet he just was. He stood out effortlessly. Something about him made people want to listen.
And slowly, a smile formed on Micah’s face.
Darcy belonged here. Not just here at this tournament, but in this kind of setting, on stage, in the light, with people who noticed him for what he truly was. He had the kind of quiet talent that made others lean forward. He didn’t need tricks. He didn’t need drama. He had presence. He would shine in any field, on any stage, no matter the pressure.
Hadn’t he won the Math Olympiad while juggling several part-time jobs and caring for his sick mother and little sister?
Micah’s smile faded just a little.