The Underestimated Genius: A National Asset

ted through the floor of the O'C

ge bash celebrating college acceptances. His d

nsive fabric of his one good shirt. It st

wd, Mark at the center. Stanford-bound,

g on Mark's arm. Her laughter

ceptance letters, university logos

othing in

us about him during Academic Decathlon sea

ere," Brittany called out, her vo

heads

fall? Did you even apply anywhere

ppled throu

n of the Decathlon team, r

at her. He didn

vously beside him. Kevin had gotten into a good

Kevin mumbled, his voice b

on Alex. "Plans? Like what? Working at the local booksto

ter. Loude

ech mogul, finally turned his full attention

e was friendly, but his eyes weren't. "Don't

just letting off steam, you kno

The polite dismissa

cket. It wasn't flashy like a Stanford hoodie. It did

ever heard of, not unless they were in ver

t like they were happening on a diff

ex said, his voice quiet but clea

start for what? Countin

around h

Their faces were flushed with triumph

. Mostly just tired.

t," Alex said. He s