def partition(my_list, first_index, last_index):

    pivot = my_list[first_index]
    left_pointer = first_index + 1
    right_pointer = last_index

    while True: 
        while my_list[left_pointer] < pivot and left_pointer < last_index:
            left_pointer += 1

        while my_list[right_pointer] > pivot and right_pointer >= first_index:
            right_pointer -= 1

        if left_pointer >= right_pointer:
            break

        my_list[left_pointer], my_list[right_pointer] = my_list[right_pointer], my_list[left_pointer]

    my_list[first_index], my_list[right_pointer] = my_list[right_pointer], my_list[first_index]

    return right_pointer