Final Exam

ADDAMS'S RESIDENCE.

"Reporting live from Washington, D.C.: Russian President Boris Yeltsin and U.S. President Bill Clinton have just signed the NATO-Russia Founding Act..."

"The Act outlines the principles guiding the relationship and addresses issues such as military cooperation, joint exercises, and mutual understanding..."

"While not a formal alliance, the act represents a significant step in fostering post-Cold War collaboration and building trust between NATO member countries and Russia..."

"..." Ben was looking at the screen of TV with sneer and astonishment as he watch the content of the screen.

As a person from from the future, he knew that the 'Act' was created by Nato with the purpose to build bases around the east... However Russia didn't know it yet at the momment.

At the time they realized it, NATO's expansion was already out of their control, followed by a series of events such as establishing an anti-missile shield alliance (missile base) in Romania and a similar base in Poland. The tension between the two parties intensified, eventually leading to the eruption of the Russian-Ukrainian War.

The war caused a lot of controversies, forcing both sides to engage in various propaganda efforts by stating their own versions of the story in order to pacify the public.

Russia claims that : 'Nato betrayed their promised to not expand to east' and Nato responded with :'Russia was using the 'orally made promises that were not recorded' to justify their invation to Ukraine.'

Who was right and who was wrong?

Ben didn't know, and he didn't really care about it at that time. He didn't give a care about it; all he cared about was his well-being.

[P.S: It's not a propaganda, it's necessary for world building. I repeat, it's not a propaganda!]

On the TV screen, Russian Representative: "This signing marks a pivotal moment in international relations. The NATO-Russia Founding Act signifies a commitment to dialogue and cooperation, steering away from Cold War tensions. It sets a precedent for peaceful collaboration, promoting stability on the global stage. This is a noteworthy achievement in the pursuit of shared security goals—"

*Insert, opening music of X-files TV series.*

"..." Ben was watching the program with interest, when all of the sudden, the channel was switch, which stuned him.

"BROOOKE!" Turning his eyes to the girl not far away from him, he called out her name, extending his palms open as he threatened her.

"Oh, common, Ben, X-files si already airing, don't bother me please!" Brooke took several step backs away from him, activate her puppy-eyes no jutsu as she begged.

"Nah that aint gonna work one me young lady You can rewatch that episode next weekend, so hurry up, give me the remote!"

"No Ben I can't!" Brooke dramatically shook her head.

"Brooke!" Glaring at her, he called out her named with a hard tone.

"No!" Brooke glared back, as if trying to match his.

"I'll count three and I swear I'm going to spank your ass really hard." Ben threatened once more, only to be greeted by her stubborn silence.

"One!!"

"..."

"Twooo!"

"..."

"I see... so you think I won't dare?" Ben's eyes lost its glow, as its stared at her unmovingly in a way creep her out and for a momment, Brooke felt heart skip a bit.

'Hehe~ serves you right b*tch!' Ben chuckled inwardly, and no, he wasnt using some kind of genjutsu or whatever, he's just giving him an uncanny valley look.

By lowering the angle of his head, smiling widely, showing his gums, widening his eyes, and staring at her creepily, a certain kind of uncany valley effect can be generate.

Seeing at her expression that become increasingly uncomfotable every few seconds, Ben couldnt help but feel proud to himself.

The trick was discovered by him one morning right after waking up. Seeing his reflection in the mirror, he suddenly felt a pang of guilt, thinking that not many guys could be as handsome as he is.

To make himself feel better, Ben decided to make himself look ugly. It was honestly tough since he always looked good, and that's when he came up with an uncanny valley expression.

[AN: he's being narcistic again(\—_—/)]

"Fine! I'll give it to you!" Brooke finally gave in when she saw Ben's creepy smile. It was weird, like he was possessed by a demon, making her really scared.

"Here!" Feeling helpless, she was about to hand back the remote when she suddenly noticed a slight smirk on Ben's lips. In that instant, she realized she had been tricked, and a mischievous thought flickered in her mind.

"Ya know what?! You can get it by yourself as long as you dare!" Brooke, with a smirk on her lips, mischievously opened her pajamas and cheekily slipped the remote inside her panties.

"..."

"So?" With a proud smirk, she looked at him with a mocking expression before heading back to the couch, adding an extra sway to her hips.

"..."

***

JUNE 1997, MIDDLE SCOOL DAYS

"Alright, people, good day, and see you next school year." The homeroom teacher, Mr. Carlos De Guzman, said his goodbyes with an impassive look on his face, as usual, before exiting the room.

"Finaly, it ended!"

"Dammmit! I wanted to go home, I missed mom!"

"Phew~ I swear I was about to fall asleep earlier!"

The previously desolate room was instantly filled with chatter as soon as the homeroom ended; groans, sighs, and complaints echoed one after another, making the scene extremely lively.

"F*ck, I suddenly feel like vomiting..." Keny Doyle muttered, his face pale, and his eyes red. It's not his iris, but his sclera, which is terrifying as hell!

"Holy sh*t, bruh, what happened to you?" Ben stared with wide eyes, not knowing whether he should laugh or feel worried. He looks like a mix of a drug addict and a zombie.

"Ah... I spent the whole night reviewing. I lost track of time, and when I finished, it's already three in the morning, so I only have five hours of sleep." Keny sighed, explaining bitterly.

"..." Ben was left speechless for a moment, not knowing how to respond. Eventually, he decided to comfort him: "At least you did well on the exam, so it's worth, right?"

"... About that, I don't think I did well on the exam," Keny nervously chuckled. He kept his face straight, but it could be seen by how his eyes started to water that he was just a few moments away from crying.

"... What?"

"Well... I was originally confident in scoring fairly just a day ago, but the lack of sleep messed me up, making my thoughts float half of the time."

"You know, I really don't know how to comfort you this time," Ben mumbled as he massaged his temples in pain.

"As if I need someone to comfort me? Tsk, don't mind me, I'll be fine the next day. I just need some rest." The other party snorted before reassuring him that he'll be fine the next day.

'What a thoughtful best friend.' Ben looked at him and couldn't help but feel amazed in his heart. Keny Doyle is a really strange character, Ben thought. He swears, sometimes Keny is more mature than someone his age would act, to the point that he even thinks that Keny might be a reincarnator like himself.

'I guess he was just that perfect best friend material, someone who was willing to listen to OG Ben and tolerate his flaws, and even sometimes give him advice that should be obvious, but because OG Ben is dumb af, he needed someone to remind him of it... He was a perfect side character,' Ben mused in his mind.

"Anyway, how about you, Ben? Do you think you can pass all the tests?" Keny looked helpless, but as if tired of talking about the exam results, he turned to look at Ben and asked.

"Eh, you know me. It should be normal to get a high score, maybe lower by a few points, but what's the difference?"

"..." Speechless, Keny wore a sour expression and remained silent for a moment. "Ben?"

"What?"

"I suddenly feel like you have to comfort me, treat me to some snacks to heal my wounded heart!!"

"..."

***

Author's Note: I'm not an American native, so forgive me if I wrote some details wrongly.

P.S. I did some research, it turns out that in most states in the U.S., Grade 1 to Grade 5 is primary school years, Grade 6 to Grade 8 is middle school, and Grade 9 to Grade 12 is high school.

P.P.S. Grade 11 to Grade 12 is basically senior high, but "senior high school" isn't a commonly used term in most states; senior high students are just called 'Seniors.'

P.P.P.S. In most states in the U.S., the school year typically starts around July, August, or September and concludes in April, May, or June of the following year. Additionally, there is a summer break that usually lasts for two to three months.

In this fan fiction, class started around September and ended in June. Next is July, Summer Break (Summer camp arc).

EDITED (3X)