Chapter 98: Pre-Competition Jitters?

(I have a doctors appointment tomorrow, early in the morning. My adhd brain makes me unable to do anything, even if the appointment is 12 hours away lol.)

[Edward POV]

The sky was darkened by rain clouds, however it wasn't raining just yet. The high pressure gust of wind had uplifted many girls' skirts today, making a pervert's dreams come true. However, I couldn't enjoy the rainy day as I had to focus on the grade-skipping exams in front of me. I had already finished with the History and English Literature subject, and now, I was facing the Math subject.

"Hmm?" As I jotted down the answer on the second final question, I suddenly realized something and turned to Mrs Henderson who was sitting directly in front of me in the teacher's chair with a confused expression.

"Why? You can't answer it?" She said with a sly smirk. Her hair was tied up in a bun, and I could sense tiredness emanating from her voice.

"This is Grade 12 stuff. There's no problem with me answering it, but is it necessary?" I asked, hiding my curiosity about why she was behaving this way today when she had never shown her tiredness in front of the students…ever.

"It's your choice Mr Newgate." Mrs Henderson said before reprimanding me, "Also. Don't talk while having your exam." She continued to mark my exam paper as she ignored me.

I was flabbergasted as I was the only student there in the class, but decided not to argue with the teacher and turned my attention back to the test papers. It took me 3 hours to answer the first part of the test.

At the same time, the rest of the decathlon team members were answering their own test inside another classroom. As I was the only one in grade 8 while the others were in grade 7, I had to answer the exam question alone. Alex, Haruna, and the douche (Sanjay) were taking the exams in front of their classroom teacher as I did it with mine.

My situation was different from the other students. They were only making up the exam questions for the time we were going to miss school – Wednesday and Thursday. Although the competition was only on Wednesday, the school had allocated Thursday as a reward for the students to take a day off and enjoy themselves.

'Kinda missing the point of the whole enjoying themselves thing if they had to take the exam earlier isn't it?' I thought to myself.

When they return on Friday, they will have to continue with the exams. While for myself, I was having all of the exams cramped together inside one day of school. It was unorthodox, but both the principal and Mrs Henderson allowed me to do so as they had absolute trust in me.

"Come back after lunch for the rest of the test Mr Newgate." Mrs Herderson said as I gave her the papers I had finished. I nodded and asked, "Aren't you going to lunch Ma'am?"

Without raising her head, she said while marking the exam paper on the spot, "History is your weak subject Mr Newgate. Also, you don't have to worry about my lunch. Go and enjoy your time with your friends. You won't be able to for much longer."

I smiled sadly as I heard that and walked to the cafeteria while thinking about what the teacher said. True, I wouldn't be able to be among my newly made friends after I skipped a few grades.

Sure, in the beginning, we could still gather together as we went through high school together. But then, it will just be on a special occasion, and will most likely devolve into a simple nod as we pass each other in the hallways–

"I shouldn't be too negative. Who knows what will happen in the future." I muttered as I walked the noisy hallways. The students were stealing glances and even pointing their fingers at me as I passed by. Some courageous girls even tried to strike up a conversation, and I refused their approach politely. But some of them didn't know how to read the hint, making me depend on a more drastic method. For example, this manic pixie dream girl in front of me.

"Ed. You're so funny. Why don't you make me your girlfriend? You're always looking at me, so I know you're attracted to me." The purple haired, short girl with a stout body and overall vain demeanor said while putting her hands all over my torso.

While being coquettish, she said, "Oh my god. What is this? A six-pac? Are you perhaps hiding a-"

Before she could go on any further, I slapped her hands away from my body, and leaned in. Then, I whispered to her ears. As she heard my words, her face turned ashen and horrified, and she finally stopped behaving like a madman. I nodded in satisfaction and continued walking to the cafeteria, ignoring the gazes of all the other kids around.

"So, Jenna is the weird one." I muttered in newfound understanding.

…

[3rd Person POV– Mrs Herderson]

Gong Shin, the afterlife senior agent, had invited Henderson to a Korean barbeque place last night before the exams started.

As the male agent put a wrapped 'samgyupsal' into his mouth, he said to the woman, "You know, your role will be over once he gets into high school right?"

"Don't talk while eating. It's disgusting." Herderson reprimanded the agent with a grimace on her face.

Gong Shin smiled as he wiped his mouth with a napkin and said, "You really have changed. You won't even bother to scold me if it was you before descending to earth. Too bad your time is almost over."

Henderson nodded and said, "I know."

With a hint of reluctance, she said, "When the school term is over…so will …Mrs Herderson, the middle school teacher."

Gong Shim suddenly put his dirty hand on Herderson's shoulder and said, "Cheer up. Look at the bright side. At the very least the company is giving us a 10% discount at this restaurant."

"..." Henderson didn't know how to respond to her visiting senior. But as he ruined her dress, she grabbed a fork and stabbed his hand, making the guy scream in pain.

…

[Edward POV]

"Ed! Over here!" Jacob called from afar. The group was sitting around a circular table– conversing with each other as they ate.

"Alex. Look over here. This color is so pretty." Enid said as she showed Alex's own hand to her. Nose deep in her studies, Alex glances at her fingers, smirked a bit before turning her attention back to her books. Enid sighed and continued to put nail polish on Alex's other hand while Elsa and Jacob were acting like a dumb couple in front of them.

"You're so pretty. I just want to keep you right in my pocket." Jacob said as he flirtingly brushed Elsa's hair behind her ear. Elsa blushed and said, "Then. We will be together all the time-"

I got sickened by them and retorted, "If Jacob kept growing, he could literally put you in his pocket. Where's Jenna?" I sat down next to Jacob and Enid (Circular table) and smacked Jacob right in the middle of his back for his revolting demeanor. It was as if they thought I couldn't see them touching each other in intimate places underneath the table.

While Jacob tried to rub the sore place, Elsa said, "She's getting some food."

I nodded and opened my lunch bag– given by Claire in the morning before I went to school.

"Hey. Why is yours more special than mine?" Alex said in disbelief as she saw that my lunch was packed properly, while hers were just thrown into the paper bag carelessly. Not to mention mine was more complete with additional fruits as snacks.

"Because I'm more special than you in your mom's heart." I said casually, causing Alex to roll her eyes. She wanted to retort but was disrupted.

"Hey guys. Ed. I finished Baratie." Jenna said in excitement as she pushed Jacob away to sit next to me. I smiled while eating my sandwich, finished chewing first and swallowed before turning to her and said, "Really? So You didn't study?"

"... I studied a little bit." Jenna's face flushed as she got caught. Alex rolled her eyes and slammed her book on the table before reprimanding Jenna. "Listen. I don't care about your bet, how you guys are going to make out if she got all As. But I gave you my notes and energy. So if your grades are-"

"Alex. Chill." I said, cutting Alex off before she could keep going with her rant. Alex snorted and returned to her book while giving Jenna a side eye. Feeling her guilty conscious pricked, Jenna quickly said, "I have already finished all the notes you gave me! I only watched the show while I was resting!"

"Lies." Elsa added. Jenna glared at her friend and said, "I didn't lie! Although a weird thing did happen, I still studied?"

"Weird thing? What happened?" I asked curiously.

"No-Nothing. How's yo-your test?" Jenna avoided my eyes and stammered making her look like she was hiding something. The entire group turned to Jenna as if they were hyena's looking at delicious meat.

"What happened Jenna? You can tell us. We are your closest friends." Enid said coaxingly.

"And I'm your best friend." Elsa said.

"And I'm your best friend's handsome boyfriend." Jacob didn't forget to use the opportunity to declare his identity once again. I threw the paper bag at his head, in which he accepted the punishment as he knew he did something wrong. Then, Elsa and Jacob locked eyes with each other before they passionately make out with one another at the table again.

We looked at the couple in disgust before turning to Jenna. "So, what's the story?" Alex asked.

"Well…"

Although Jenna was apprehensive, she thought that the best way for her to understand what had happened was to gather external input– in other words, let her friends think about that for her.

"So I was watching one piece."

[Jenna POV + Flashback]

(I'm trying a HIMYM format on this one. If it's weird, then tell me)

"Jenna. Mr Davidson is coming today." Mom said as she knocked on my bedroom door.

"Who?" I asked in confusion while looking up from the laptop.

"Remember you asked me before? The ways to become famous?"

"Hold up" Edward's voice interrupted the flashback.

[School cafeteria.]

"Why do you want to become famous?" Ed asked.

My eyes darted between my friends who were staring at me, and I bashfully lowered my head in embarrassment.

Elsa rolled her eyes and admonished Ed, "Why else do you think?"

Ed thought for a bit and asked in disbelief. "Because of me?"

[Flashback]

"I was only asking what I could do. Don't just spring a movie producer on me like this. I can't even act." I said to my mom after she told me her plans.

"Really? I thought-"

"Mom. Seriously?!" I stood up in anger and walked to my mother.

"Doesn't matter. It's too late anyway. Also, he's one of the good ones….I think…"

[School cafeteria.]

"So. Is he one of the good ones?" Ed asked while narrowing his eyes.

"I don't know. It wasn't him who came by." I replied.

[Flashback]

While in the living room, I sat far away from the movie producer, a Harvey Weins***n wannabe who came by to persuade my mom into casting me in his movie.

"You know, there is a lot of competition out there…It's going to be hard for your daughter to have a successful debut as an actress." He said with a smile, but his words carried a certain threat. He scooched over to get close to me and put his hand on my thigh as he said, "She got a lot of chance…she just need to let loose a little-"

My mom wasn't having it and threw a glass of lemonade on that man before dragging me away. She chased out the perverted producer and told me, "Never get near that man ever again!"

[School cafeteria.]

"He touched your thigh? How?" Elsa asked.

"How? What do you want me to do? Show it here?" I said sarcastically.

"Yeah. Show it on Ed." Jacob interjected.

"Me?" Ed was confused when his name was suddenly mentioned. I looked at him and he looked at me, before I turned to Elsa and said, "Ok…."

"Do it! We want to know." Enid said teasingly.

"Do it! DO IT! DO IT!"

"You guys know you're supporting sexual harassment right?" Ed said, causing the group to fall silent.

"Not if she has your consent." Alex interjected, raising the group's spirit once more. Ed thought and nodded, giving me his permission. I really love Alex at this moment. I wanted to touch- I mean, get closer to Ed for a long time now.

[Edward POV]

'So how in the hell did a conversation move from a pervy producer to me getting molested?'

Jenna blushed and giggled hard as she placed her palm on my thigh.

"That's pretty normal." Elsa said as she saw the example. Then, Jenna caressed her hand upward my thigh, making the whole group exclaim.

"Too far!" Enid said with a blush as she stopped Jenna.

"I think it's not far enough." Jacob said in excitement before he got glared at by Elsa.

"You know the guy's name?" I asked as I got a bad feeling about the whole thing.

"Nah. Sorry." Jenna replied, her hand still on my thigh.

I shook my head as I noted about the whole incident in my mind. There's going to be consequences when you try to mess with my friends.

"My mom invited you to the house. She wants to meet you." Jenna said.

"Hmm? Okay. I'll give you a call when I have free time." I replied casually as I too wanted to have a talk with her mother about the whole thing.

Despite Jenna acting casual about the matter, I knew she was struggling with it. For example, she wore modest and baggy clothes today instead of her normal clothes.

I patted her head and said, "Don't worry. That asshole is nothing but a perv. It's not your fault. Also, I will make sure he'll pay for what he did."

Jenna widened her eyes before lowering her head as she enjoyed the protection. Alex then sighed and put her books down. "I can't study like this."

I smiled and said, "Then. Wanna play a game?"

"Can you say that again…but in Jigsaw's voice?" Jacob asked. I turned to him and mimicked the toy and said in a hoarse voice, "I want. to play. a game!" While putting my hands together like a villain.

"You really should stop hanging out with my dad." Alex rolled her eyes and leaned forward as she waited for the game to start.

"Truth or dare?" Elsa guessed the game.

"That should only be played when we all get to highschool. It's very easy for the game to turn wildly inappropriate, so we really shouldn't play it right now. And definitely at the school cafeteria during lunch." Jenna said.

"What game Ed?" Enid asked as she kept her nail polish in her bag.

I took out my phone and opened an app called Undercover. "The game will give us 2 words that are similar to each other. What we should do is to use ambiguous and obscure words to describe the word we have gotten, and try to find the person with the different word- the undercover."

"Huh. So, we will win if we catch the guy? How do we catch him?" Jacob asked in intrigue.

"We're going to vote every time a turn ends. But, even if the undercover is caught, he or she could still win if they guessed the keyword accurately."

"There's also a Mr White role where the player wouldn't be given a word at all, but we're not including it yet in the game."

The phone would be a moderator for the game. After we all typed in our name and read our keyword, the game finally started.

"We'll start with Enid." I said as I read the game direction.

Enid thought about it for a while and said, "Hmm…Jenna's lip gloss?"

The rest thought for a bit before they nodded at the clue. "Acceptable." Jenna said.

"Alex." I said on behalf of the app's moderator.

Alex smiled and said, "Red?"

"Sure." Elsa accepted the hint.

Next was Jacob, and he said, "Fruit."

Jenna was next, and she said, "Supermarket."

"Hey. That's cowardly." Alex giggled and admonished Jenna.

Elsa was next and she said, "Salad."

"Huh?" Jenna was confused by the hint.

"Huh what?" Elsa was flabbergasted when she realized that none of them could relate with her hint. I smiled and said, "The last one is me right? As we already know who the undercover is, I will say…the thing Jenna is allergic to."

"Vote now." I ordered. All of us pointed our fingers at Elsa, while she alone pointed the fingers at me. She glared at Jacob, and he reluctantly changed his vote to point at me, however it didn't change the outcome.

I pressed Elsa's name on the apps, and it showed that she was undercover all along!

"What is your keyword?" She asked.

"Strawberry. You?" Jenna replied.

"Cherry."

We played a few more times, and everytime we caught someone lying, the whole table burst into laughter, and overall it was a great time for all of us. Alex managed to relax a bit before her exam, and I was able to create more valuable memories with my group of friends today.

"Hey. Next week is the Summer Festival. There's a stage for the bands. You should play there." Alex said as the lunch break bell rang.

"I don't think the school could afford my fee." I said with a slight smirk, making Alex roll her eyes.

"If you don't want to, then don't." She said gruffly and turned away. I grabbed her wrist and said, "You're really like your grandfather. I wasn't finished. I'll sing, if you get up on the stage with me."

"Huh? I don't know how to play in a band. Also, I play the cello." She said in confusion.

"That's okay. I'll make a song that has a cello in it." I said confidently. She hesitated a bit and agreed afterward before we both walked back to our classes. I finished the rest of the exams without a hitch and I followed along the Dunphys as Claire drove us home after school was over.

"Ed. You're staying at our house tonight right?" Luke asked.

"Yeah."

"Cool. it'll be like sleeping over."

"...What do you think I'm doing when I get there Luke?"