Gemotions

The confetti rained down, a vibrant shower of color against the setting sun. Clara skipped forward, nearly tripping over a discarded streamer. "Can you believe it, Liam? We won!" Her voice cracked with a joyous thrill. She spun around, arms outstretched, her face lit up like a supernova. Liam, however, just stared, his brow furrowed.

He opened his mouth to say something, but Clara cut him off, her laughter bubbling over. "Remember the final question? I was so sure we were done for, but you, you pulled it out of the bag!" She punched his arm lightly, a surge of adrenaline coursing through her.

Liam blinked, a confused look on his face. "The final question? I thought *you* answered it. About the… the… the ancient Sumerians?" He ran a hand through his hair, his voice flat, devoid of any celebratory energy. The joy drained from Clara's face like water from a punctured boat.