Preparation

At the beginning of the class, the teacher distributed the exam sheets across the room. The room fell silent, and tension mounted as everyone received their test, then she explains " This exam is counting for your final grade, so I wish you all luck."

Everyone was visibly tense, knowing that this exam would count towards their final grade. My teacher, noticing the tension in the air, tried to lighten the mood. "Cheer up, folks! It's just a test, not the end of the world," she said with a smile.

As we began the exam, I noticed some of my classmates glancing around nervously. Suddenly, I heard a whisper from the back of the room. "Hey, Alex, what's the answer to question four?"

Alex, always the jokester, responded with a smirk. "I don't know, but I heard the answer to number five is 'B' - as in 'better start studying harder!'"

The group around Alex laughed, but my teacher, overhearing the exchange, shot them a stern look. "Alright, alright, everyone stay focused. No cheating!"

Although I was confident in my knowledge of history, I couldn't help but notice a few of my classmates attempting to cheat by sneaking peeks at their phones or notes. As I was scribbling down my answers, I overheard two students discussing a recent incident involving a classmate who tried to cheat in a creative way.

"Hey, did you guys hear about Ben? He tried to cheat on his history exam by writing the answers on his shoes," one of them whispered.

"What a genius!" the other replied sarcastically. "Did he get away with it?"

"Nope," the first one laughed. "He got caught because he put down the wrong soles!"

I couldn't help but chuckle at their conversation. It's amusing how people go to such great lengths to cheat in exams, but in the end, it never really pays off.

We all laughed at the silly joke, but then the room fell silent again as we continued working on our exams.

Although I didn't attach much significance to it at the time, performing well on this test could potentially earn me scholarships if things didn't go as planned. Better have a plan B than nothing. As the timer began, I quickly scanned through the questions to understand the scope of the test.

I chuckled to myself as I found the test quite easy, not because I was feeling proud, but because I remembered how difficult it was for me during my first attempt. I completed the test in only 30 minutes and left the classroom earlier than everyone else so that I could prepare for the event.

As I was going towards the School Cafeteria, I notice Miguel sitting by himself next to the school kitchen.

--MIGUEL POV--

I couldn't focus on the exam. My thoughts were consumed with finding a group to join for the upcoming event. I found myself sitting alone at the far end of the cafeteria. As I opened my lunchbox, I felt a tap on my shoulder. It was Asahi.

"Hey, man," he said, taking a seat next to me. "What's going on? You seem down."

"Me just tired," I said, trying to hide my worries.

Asahi looked at me for a moment before speaking. "Is it about your Dad?"

I hesitated for a moment before nodding. "Me look for group to join event. My Dad come. I want show him I have friends. he think I not good make friends, but I want prove him wrong."

"Well, What about me then?" Asahi said. "Are we not friends? Besides, we can easily show him."

"A-asahi, Me not mean that." I asked. "But How?"

"It's simple really, just join our group" Asahi said.

"Me no understand. What you mean?"

"Well, I have organized a Cookie Stand with Olivia and Alex, similar to lemonade, but instead with cookies," Alex suggested. "Your dad will be there, right? so he will definitely notice us."

I thought about Asahi suggestion and realized it might not work. "Thanks, Asahi. But I think I won't help much. I no good cook and don't want cause trouble for your group because of me being selfish."

Asahi looked at me and placed his hand on my shoulder, giving me a reassuring smile. "You know, you're one of the top students in our school. In fact, you're so famous that we could probably use your face to attract customers! We won't even need a sign - just a cardboard cutout of you holding a cookie or something. But seriously, let's not dilly-dally - we've got work to do!"

Asahi then pushed me quickly as if he was in a hurry. "H-huh!?" "Where we going?" I asked.

"We are going to sell cookies bro!"

I noticed Asahi smiling at me... He really...

I mustered some courage and said "Thank you..."

"No problem, man," Asahi said, smiling. "That's what friends are for."

Well... maybe with Asahi's help, I had a glimmer of hope that I could show my father that I am not an incapable person. As we were running, I began to realize that something was missing... *GASP*

"W-WAIT ASAHI, I FORGOR ME FOOD!"

--MC POV--

As we arrived at the kitchen, we saw Teacher Rondell instructing the workers. I approached her and said, "Excuse me, Teacher Rondell, we were wondering if we could use the kitchen for our event."

She looked at us and replied, "Hello, Anderson. You may use it, but you will need to be supervised by one of the cooking staff."

I still can't familiarize myself with that surname...

I nodded and said, "That's no problem. We just need supervision."

Teacher Rondell then turned to James, one of the cooking staff, and said, "James, can you supervise these students?"

James looked at us and said, "Sure thing, Miss Rondell. I'll be happy to help. What kind of event are you planning?"

I explained the event to him, and he seemed impressed. "That sounds like a lot of fun," he said. "I'll make sure you guys have everything you need to make it a success."

We thanked him, and he showed us around the kitchen, pointing out all the equipment we could use. As we started to prepare, I Suddenly remembered something "Uhhh, I forgot some stuff to cook in Olivia's car, but..." I trailed off, getting shivers just remembering her anger. "I shouldn't have bothered her like that. Now I have to talk with her to get the stuff, haha..."

James noticed my hesitation and came over to ask, "Anything wrong?"

I hesitated for a moment before replying, "N-no, everything's okay, hahahahaahhaah....ha."

Miguel was scared as well, he was shivering a lot. "W-with miss Olivia? What we do?"

"Well, I will go find her, and I think they have all finished their exams..."

--GENERAL POV--

Olivia was fuming. "I WILL KILL THAT BASTARD. WHO DOES HE THINKS HE IS?" she exclaimed.

Maria chuckled. "You'll get old if you keep doing that face" she said teasingly.

"I AM NOT OLD!" Olivia retorted.

"Hahaha, I didn't say that, silly. Also, look who's coming ahead," Maria pointed out.

"What?" Olivia looked up and noticed Asahi walking in their direction. Just seeing his face made her head ache, and she wanted to punch him so bad.

As Asahi approached them, he gave them a hug, Olivia tensed up, expecting him to act immature like he usually did. But then, to her surprise, he greeted them with a friendly hug. "H-hey guys, what's up?"

Olivia tried to separate herself from him quickly. "D-don't touch me."

Asahi was taken aback and confused by her sudden reaction. "Huh? What's wrong?"

Olivia's expression softened, and she returned the greeting. "H-hi to you too."

Maria and Asahi exchanged surprised glances. "Wow, Olivia, I didn't know you had it in you to be civil," Maria said with a smirk.

"Shut up." Olivia said with a playful punch to her arm.

Asahi smiled at the change in Olivia's demeanor. "So, what are you guys up to?"

"Just hanging out," Maria said.

"Oh right, have you heard about the school event?" Asahi asked, to which Maria eagerly replied, "Yes, I have! Are you guys participating?"

Asahi and Olivia exchanged a glance before Olivia hesitated, "We have been preparing for a long time. How about you, Maria?"

"I've already signed up with some friends," Maria beamed.

Olivia's face fell, but she tried to mask it. Asahi noticed her sudden change of mood and suggested, "Maria, why don't you join us? It'll be fun!"

"Yeah, maybe next time I will but I have already signed with another group of friends, sorry."

Olivia's face fell even further as she realized Maria didn't want to join them. Asahi was disappointed too, but he understood Maria's decision. "Maybe next time then," he called out to Maria as she walked away.