The Last Twist: Dialogue and Details at a Puzzle Cube Contest

The Last Twist

1I had solved my puzzle cube a thousand times at home, but never in front of a crowd. At the Saturday cube contest, the gym was full of clicking. Hundreds of colored squares spun in every direction, and the noise sounded like a field full of crickets.

2My first two rounds went fine. I solved one cube in about a minute and the next one a little faster. Grandpa gave me a thumbs-up from the bleachers each time. Before I knew it, it was time for the final round.

3"Nadia Haddad," the judge called. "Table three."

4My mouth went dry. I walked to the table and sat down. The cube waited under a plastic cup, and I could see one red corner peeking out. My fingers drummed on my knees.

5"Ready?" the judge asked.

6"Ready," I said, though I wasn't sure it was true.

7The judge lifted the cup, and I studied the scrambled colors. Then I set my palms on the timer pads and lifted them. The clock began.

8My fingers flew. White cross. Corners. Middle row. Yellow on top. Everything was going perfectly until the very last step. I twisted the top layer, and one corner was in the wrong spot.

9I froze. My heart thumped once. Twice. Somewhere behind me, Grandpa coughed. A drop of sweat slid down my neck.

10Then I remembered what Grandpa always told me at the kitchen table: "When you are stuck, slow down and look again." I took a breath and turned the cube in my hands until I found the problem. Four quick turns later, every side was one solid color.

11I slapped the timer. The numbers stopped. It wasn't my fastest time ever, but it was my fastest time that day.

12Grandpa was already standing and clapping when I turned around. "You looked again," he said, grinning.

13"I looked again," I said.