text: The Spelling Bee by Gee Whillickers
  Sometimes a spelling bee word will turn out to be particularly meaningful
  to some contestants and members of the audience.
  Thanks to Cole Parker for the original idea for The Spelling Bee.
  "R-U-C-K-U-S. Ruckus." Parker smiled at the English teacher running the spelling contest, and then out at the audience.
  Cole's nervousness increased. He knew that the English teacher, Vice Principal Hanratty, had it in for him. He was peering at Cole now over his half-moon glasses, while perusing his list of words. Wasn't he just supposed to pick the next one on the list, wondered Cole.
  Hanratty smiled. Cole thought the smile, more like a smirk really, was full of malice, as the Vice Principal's eyes locked on to him. His eyes were full of barely concealed glee. As Hanratty opened his mouth, Cole finally understood the meaning of the term 'stage fright.' He was standing on a stage, and he was frightened to death. It all made sense now.
  Hanratty said, "Mamihlapinatapai." And then he just looked at Cole smugly. The audience mostly remained silent, except for a few mutters and barely heard snippets of confusion.
  Cole looked out at the audience, his eyes darting everywhere until they lit upon his very best friend, and as of last night his brand new boyfriend, Rodney. He smiled at Cole, and Cole couldn't help smiling back as they both realized, at the same moment, the incredible stroke of serendipity.
  It was just last night that Rodney and Cole were able to really talk, to tell each other how they were feeling. Afterwards, Rodney had remarked that there just had to be a word for that, for what they'd both been going through the last couple of weeks.
  Cole didn't realize quite how soon that would turn out to be true.
  "M-A-M-I-H-L-A-P-I-N-A-T-A-P-A-I," Cole spelled out, followed by, "Mamihlapinatapai." He looked out at the audience again, not at all nervous now. "It means a look shared by two people, each wishing that the other would initiate something that they both desire but which neither wants to begin." He grinned once again at Rodney, and watched Rodney laugh in return. Interestingly, several of the kids in the audience were sneaking curious looks at certain other kids at this pronouncement. And so was Miss Hollansby towards Mr. Tuskan. Hmmm.
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  This story is Copyright © 2018-2019 by Gee Whillickers. The included image is Copyright © 2018-2019 by Colin Kelly. The original image is Copyright © by zatevakhin | Adobe Stock File #181912031. They cannot be reproduced without express written consent. Codey's World web site has written permission to publish this story and is licensed to use the image. No other rights are granted.