Chapter 4 The Winner and the Loser

Chapter 4 The Winner and the Loser
Thursday in second period, Sophia’s debate teacher allowed them to spend the entire hour working on their debates to be presented the following day. She would have relished being solitary as she concentrated, she could really use the solitude to talk out loud to herself at this point. A tight knot formed in her gut, as she worried about her debate topic.
She looked across the classroom to her assigned opponent, Jess Low; the smartest kid in class, and possibly in her grade. He scribbled on note cards with confidence, possibly stating every most convincing reason in support of stem cell research that ever existed. Shoot, had he used his whole pack of 50 note cards? She wondered noticing his thick stack. All she could muster was a deep sigh, as she let her head drop to the desk, knowing her forehead was forming a greasy spot on her ten note cards. She was supposed to be against stem cell research, period. Her true opinion, though, was for adult stem cell research, which didn’t harm human life, and against embryonic stem cell research, which requires harvesting human embryos for research, essentially killing the seeds of human life. She couldn’t change her topic at the last minute, albeit a small change, because she was still against part of it. She would just have to read her notes and be done, and cross her fingers that she’d sound convincing enough to the teacher.

By lunchtime, Sophia began to develop a stress headache, worrying over her debate. She carried her notecards with her, studying each one as she ate. Taking a bite, flipping a card, adding extra notes, taking a bite and repeating. She was oblivious to anyone around her. The crowded cafeteria produced a low roar with occasional stoccato pitches of silverware tapping, shoes slapping, chairs banging, just a dull accompaniment to the confusing solo in her mind. “stem cells act as a repair system for the body, replenishing specialized cells…embryonic stem cell lines can be generated using a single-cell biopsy…allows for stem cell creation without embryonic destruction…”
“Hey.”
Sophia looked up, eyes still accostomed to upclose reading and blinked several times waiting for her eyes to refocus.
“Hey” Adam said again waving a hand in front of her face. “Are you ok? You looked stoned or something.”
“If studying too much can cause the same effect as drugs, I guess you could call me stoned.”
“Well, you’ve got the bloodshot eyes and dazed expression.”
Sophia dropped her forehead into her palm. “I should just give up.”
“You look stressed, what bites?” Adam asked.
“Oh, it’s my debate class, I’m supposed to present my debate tomorrow, and I’m really nervous, I just don’t feel prepared,” Sophia lamented.
“Oh yeah, the stem cell stuff.”
“Yeah, that. The problem is I disagree with some of the points I will be presenting. I do support adult stem cell research.
Then why don’t you just say that then
What?
Just say what you think, people can tell when you’re jacking them around.
“I know, I want to sound convincing. But how when I don’t agree with half of my arguments?” She looked pleadingly into his eyes for the first time, and he couldn’t help but smile.
“You’re desperate, aren’t you? Why do you care so much?”
“I…I just really want an A in the class. “
“Why, will your dad ground you if you don’t?”
Sophia frowned, “No, he’s not that strict. I guess my real goal is to get straight A’s this semester.” A memory poked her. She also wanted those straight A’s because when Jared was still hers, she wanted something with which to impress him. Something to keep her in his mind. There was to be no more impressing Jared. She guessed it was all about personal achievement, now, whoo hoo! Sophia sighed and picked at her food.
Adam offered, “Well, when I am in an argument, say, with my mom I try to show how by choosing my side it could benefit her.
Has it ever worked?
Not really, she’s too smart for me.
Well, I doubt I’ll try that then.
Thanks, Adam said sarcastically.
I’m sorry, it’s just that I’m up against the smartest guy in the junior class, Jesse Low. I feel defeated already.
Adam thought harder, Sophia noticed. She marveled at him, thinking, he really cared about her stupid problem!
I know. Tell me about your teacher, male or female?
She’s a female, so what?
Well, she’s the one giving the grade right?
Yeah.
Well, the point is to try to convince her, not Jess Low to choose your side.
“You’re right!” Sophia realized. If she could not only give a good presentation, but also go a little further in actually convincing Mrs. Nixon then maybe she could get her A.
It’s not necessarily about what side you’re on, but if you can be the greater convincer.
Oh, I guess you’re right. So what does it matter that she’s a woman?
I’m getting to that. I heard somewhere. . . and don’t you laugh at me. He pointed at Sophia warnignly. Sophia shook her head and pursed her lips.
Adam stated cautiously, “I heard somewhere that to be convincing to a woman. . .’ he paused assesing Sophia’s reaction, “you need to validate her feelings.”
“Wow, good observation.”
“Really?”
“Yeah, that’s like the one thing keeping guys from understanding girls.”
“So if I understand all about validation, I’ve got it made?”
“Putting it into action will get you the girl.” Adam smiled at Sophia who began to blush realizing she was revealing too much. “So anyway, where were we?” she asked looking down at her notes.
“Validating your teacher’s feelings.”
“Oh Yeah. Go on.”
“Well, what are her feelings?”
“Mrs. Nixon’s feelings?” She’d never thought about that before. Weren’t teachers supposed to withold their opinions from the class, and not sway the student body?
“I don’t know, I don’t think she’s supposed to say.”
“Well, you know some things about her. She’s married right?”
“Yeah.”
“Does she have any kids?”
“I think she has one. I know she mentioned she was on maternity leave for part of last year.”
“Perfect! There you go!”
“Huh?!”
“Wow, I really am smart sometimes, I surprise myself!”
“Wait, I missed something.”
“She had a baby! She would definitely be against killing an embryo; she values human life too much.”
“Well, how does that help me? I’m supposed to be totally against stem cell research, and I’m not, I just want to be honest with myself, you know.”
Well, as I was saying she probably already agrees with you on banning embryonic stem cell research. She will be on your side already.
Yeah, and?
The next big step is to convince her that adult stem cell research is good. I doubt your opponent spends more than a minute on adult stem cells alone, he will have breezed past that to more technical stuff on embryonic, because that’s an unkown area with amazing possibilities. He will not have convinced her at all.
You’re probably right.
You will already have her feelings validated by stating stuff she agrees with, then you state how accepting adult stem cell research could benefit her and her baby, not harm. Give some real life stories of how adult stem cell researcch has beneiffited children. She’ll be nodding her head the whole time and you’ll get your A++.
Perfect! That’s right. I just remembered that adult stem cell research has been used for many years to successfully treat leukemia. And leukemia attacks children. Sophia exclaimed and began scribbling on her notecards before she forgot all that Adam had just told her.
Where did you learn to be a good arguer? Sophia asked as she dotted the last ‘i’.
I didn’t, I guess I just saw so many bad arguments with my parents when I was little, I knew what not to do.
You should take debate. You would get an A in it.
I’m not a conformist, I wouldn’t be able to follow any of the formal debate guidelines.
So you’re a streetsmart debater, not a booksmart one.
Exactly.
“Well, you get an A++ in my book,” said Sophia wanting to hug him. Then the bell rang.
“Well, I’ve gotta go. And thank you so so much!” Sophia said gathering her things and stuffing them into her backpack.
“No problem. Let me know how it goes,” said Adam smiling.
“I will at lunch tomorrow.”
“Good luck!” Adam said watching Sophia walk away.
Thanks!

After lunch in Chemistry, Sophia couldn’t keep a smile from forming on her face as the teacher passed back their graded assignments. Adam had really helped her on her debate project, and relief washed over her, knowing she had her presentation under control.
“Sophia” Mr. Duncan handed her assignmetn back, with an 88% marked at the top. Sophia remembered something.
“Oh no! I’m so stupid!” Sophia said slapping her forehead.
“What did you get?” Bonnie asked, sitting two seats back from her.
“ Oh, a B+,” Sophia responded absentmindedly.
“You did better than I did! Bonnie replied.
“But that’s not what I’m worried about.”
“You’re not?”
“Nevermind,” Sophia replied. How could she have forgotten? She had spent most of last evening planning on how she was going to ask Adam today if he wanted to come to her Halloween party. She was so caught up in her own world of achievement, that she failed. She failed to even ask how Adam was doing or pick up where they left off the day before. She was doing a terrible job as a member missionary so far. She pulled her backpack out from under her chair and pulled out a new personal planner. She would write it down. October 24, invite Adam to party, thank him for his help, debate presentation 2nd hour. Now she needed to remember to look at her daily planner. Daily!
Friday, during first period band practice, her mind felt so distracted. Thankfully she had the songs memorized as she played her trumpet and marched around the practice field with the entire band. They had a home football game that night and everyone was getting pumped up, working out the last few kinks of their halftime show.
Unfortunately there were too many overzealous players, and Mr. Maxwell kept stopping the song to correct a row alignment, or practice over and over again a particlur line in the song.
Finally Mr. Maxwell let the band play the songs all the way through, and then finished by talking through the megaphone, “Good practice everyone. Be at the stadium at 6:30 wearing your uniforms, don’t forget gloves and plumes. We don’t want to lose the meaning of the word uniform!” The band members broke their formations, and began running back towards the band room. Sophia glanced at her watch. “8:57” No wonder everyone was running! Band practice had gone over, and Sophia had three mintues to get her backpack and run to Debate class. Just my luck she mumbled.
Finally!




Sophia deliberatly walked to the cafeteria to look for Adam and invite him to her party next week before she forgot again. Then a horrible thought rammed her like a jackhammer. Oh, no! Adam’s going to think I’m asking him out on a date! I never even thought of that. Sophia stopped abruptly in the hall, a couple of student’s behind her nearly knocking her over. Sophia forced herself to keep walking. Even if I say just as friends, she thought, he’s going to know I like him. Do I like him? He’s so different than I am! It doesn’t matter now. He probably already thinks I like him. I keep hanging out with him everyday at lunch. I can’t lead him on. I can’t do it! But the party isn’t a date, it’s a party, she thought. I don’t even have to talk to him at all during the party, there will be enough people there. But that’s not the point, she countered. The point is to talk to him, and have him meet my Mormon friends. She entered the cafeteria, the debate still battling in her mind, and stood in the food line.
"Hey!" Sophia turned and saw Adam walking into the cafeteria towards her. You saved me a spot?
"Um…yeah, sure!" Sophia said as she noticed an unpleasant look cross the face of the guy behind her. Sophia pretended not to notice and stepped aside. Adam searched Sophia’s face.
"You don’t look happy. I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have tried to help you. If you get a C on your debate you can blame it on me. Call me whatever bad names you want. Punch me if you prefer. I deserve it.” He grabbed her wrist and tried to make her slap him.
“No no no!” laughed Sophia pulling her arm back and quickly switching mental modes. “Your advice was perfect. I did exactly what you suggested and Mrs. Nixon was smiling at the end! I couldn’t believe it. I wished you could’ve been there.” Sophia beamed.
Adam just smiled, almost laughing.
What?
Nothing, it’s just your eyes again. They’re like a drug on me.
Sophia blushed profusely, and turned her head away as if distracted. She wanted to invite him then to the party, but her hesitations held her back. Wasn’t it obvious he liked her? How could she be so dense? If she asked him now, he would totally think she liked him too. She just wasn’t sure what her feelings were, the breakup with Jared, still so freshly over. It would still be a while before she knew.
“There’s something bothering you.” Adam observed Sophia’s pensive face. “You can’t still be worried about your debate, it’s over, right?
"Oh, no, everything’s fine." Sophia forced a quick smile. Adam didn’t seem convinced.
"Is it me? I’ll leave if you want me to. I know I’m weird. Just say the word and I’ll be gone."
"No no, you’re fine." Sophia turned to look at him and noticed his dark concerned eyes. “I guess I still have some jitters from my debate this morning. It’s not you, I promise,” Sophia lied. “I’m just glad it’s Friday, relieved you know?”
“Yeah” Adam smiled. They both looked away in silence. Sophia and Adam both got their food without speaking.
“Hey I haven’t talked with my friend Jake in a while. I need to get caught up on what the ‘in crowd’ is doing these days. Make sure I’m not doing it, you know.” Adam waited for Sophia to smile.
“Yeah sure.” Sophia watched Adam walk away. She was not sure if she was relieved or not.
What was she doing letting him get away? Where was her resolve? Didn’t she acutally pray about Adam and feel that confirmation from the spirit, that peaceful feeling that it would be a good thing to be Adam’s friend? Didn’t she feel like Heavenly Father was supporting her efforts at being his friend? And here she was starting to back out, fearing the unkown. Sophia inhaled deeply and then exhaled slowly. I’m probably just feeling overstressed. I just need to take it easy. Maybe it’s just not time yet. Plus there’s still all of next week to run into him and casually ask him to the party. She couldn’t think so hard anymore at the moment, and the cacophony of lunchtime overtook her thoughts.