Chapter 19: "My Prize"

This week is finally exam week. It would be your typical sleepless night and endless studying.

"Damn it, I know this one! I just forgot..."

"I didn't study this at all!"

"Haha. Easy."

"What the hell are these questions?"

Those were the thoughts lingering in my classmates head as we were answering our exam. We are all seated apart from each other as the teacher sat in front, on his table while his eyes were locked on us, like a human CCTV.

"Argh... What was is again?" I hardly thought to myself as I tap my pen on my paper.

It then hit my mind. I remembered what Zen Liang said.

"It's not about memorizing. Just get yourself used to it, and it would be familiar. For instance, if I change these given numbers here. The solution is still the same, only the situation had changed." That's what he said when he's teaching me.

"20 minutes left." The teacher announced.

I looked at the problem on my test questionnaire once more. It is somehow becoming clear now.

"Got it!"

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"I already got my results." Jia stated as we were eating on the dinner table.

"How was it?" Dad asked before taking a sip on his water.

"It's alright. Most of it are above average." Jia nonchalantly replied.

"Very well!" Mom cheered. She then shifted her eyes on me. "And you?"

I already want to forget about it.

"O-oh, I still haven't got mine yet. The results will probably come out on next week. Hehe..." I answered and scratched the back of my neck.

"Fine... As long as you pass." Mother sighed and continued on munching on her food.

I am a bit confident about the results. I got the top student to tutor me!

"Hey! I'm pretty sure I will get good grades this time!" I exclaimed and looked at them eagerly.

I just know it! I have Zen Liang on my side!

"Don't you dare tell me you cheated?!" My mother furiously said.

"What?! Of course not!!"

"Pretty suspicious." Jia added.

"It's okay, son. Just don't do it again." My father continued.

"What do you guys take me for?!!"

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After the weekend, the exam results are about to be posted.

"I'm so nervous about the result..."

"Me too."

"Ugh... Screw it."

"It is, what it is."

I heard the murmuring of my fellow students on the hall. And it made me even more nervous.

The results will be posted tomorrow. For now, all I could do is hope and pray that I wouldn't fail, so I don't have to attend summer classes during vacation.

"I freaking hate exams..." I whined as I walk along Chet and Luke.

"Didn't Zen Liang tutored you before exam?" Luke asked.

"Yeah..." I looked down and mumbled, "But, I'm bad at almost every subject!"

I'm not exaggerating. I'm really terrible at academics.

"It's okay, bro. All you got to do is accept your fate. Like I did." Chet tapped my shoulder and comforted me.

"Wow... That's so encouraging." I sarcastically replied.

"You better do good this time."

"Ugh..! It was hard!"

"That's because you weren't listening."

"I am!"

As the two were bickering. I saw Zen Liang from a distance walking by himself.

"You guys head first." I ran out and went on Zen Liang's direction.

"Hey! How about lunch?"

"I'll catch up later!" I answered back as I make a run to Zen Liang's direction.

"Zen Liang!" I shouted as I ran towards his way.

It made the other students looked at me, and it also made Zen Liang stop and stand still.

"Don't run. You might bump into someone." He said as I caught up to him.

"S-seriously... You're like a mom..." I said as I was panting after running hurriedly.

"What do you need?" He asked as he fixed his attention on me.

I stood straight and looked at him directly on the eyes with confidence.

"The exam results will be posted tomorrow." I stated.

"And?" He raised his eyebrows on me.

"And I worked hard for it!" I continued.

"As you should." He coldly replied.

I pouted and glared at him, "Ugh... Can you stop being mean just for a second?"

He relaxed his face and sighed, "What is it?"

Hehe. I know this guy has a soft spot too!

My mood quickly changed as my face lit up. "If I pass all of my exams you should give me a prize, right?"

"..." He didn't answer me at all and just stared at me.

"Come on! I studied hard, did I? I even endured your torture tutoring!" I complained.

"Fine—"

"Really?!!" I was excited, and didn't let him say another word after agreeing, for I know he'll only give me another sermon.

"I'll see you later! Bye!" I energetically left and bid him farewell.

"..." Zen Liang just looked at me as I left.

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Today is the judgement day.

"The results are out!"

"Let me see!"

"Hey! Your head is on the way!"

It was crowded on the hall. Everyone are looking at their results on the bulletin board.

"Damn it! I failed math again!"

"I got way worse, bro. I failed two subjects."

"Argh... You've got to be kidding."

I took a deep breath and slip my way in the crowd.

"Excuse me!" I digged my way in and immediately looked at my scores.

"Hey! No pushing!"

"Damn it..." I mumbled as I looked at my results.

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"Alright. How was it?" He asked as he cross his arms.

We are now standing under a huge tree outside. I was looking down while he plastered his gaze upon me.

"Well... I..." I mumbled while looking down.

Before I could even finish my words, he then took out three lollipops on his pocket. It was the same candy he gave me last time. He gently tapped my head with the lollipops.

"Hey!" I complained and covered my head with my hands.

"Let's study again tomorrow. So you can do better next time." As he was talking, he's also unwrapping one of the lollipops. "After all, practice makes progress." He added and gave me the lollipops, including the unwrapped one.

"H-huh? Aren't you going to scold me for being stupid?" I took the lollipops and looked at him.

"It wouldn't change anything. Just try again until you get there." He simply answered.

This guy is really weird...

"I-I was just joking!" I break the act. "I actually passed." I confessed. I handed him the copy of my results with my face slowly becoming red.

He took the papers on my hand and look through it.

"See?" I proudly said with a lollipop on my mouth.

"Alright. You've improved."

"Of course, I did!"

"Good job. I'll get going now." He was about to leave.

"What?! Hey! How about my prize?!" I caught up to him.

"You already have them." He was referring to the lollipops he just gave me.

"Are you serious?! I've worked hard for it and you'll only give me three lollipops?" I whined, still following him around.

"Yeah." He replied while walking.

"No way!" I grabbed his hands.

It made him stopped and looked at me.

"A proper prize is necessary!" I eagerly looked at him and stated.

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I am now climbing the school's fence in front of the council president, Zen Liang.

"So, you want me to help you skip class?" He said with his arms cross. I can feel the judgement on his stare boring on my back.

I finally got to the top. I sat and faced him.

"No. We're going together!" I replied with a bright smile.

"I'm leaving." He replied and turned his back.

"H-hey! Come back! Just this one time! I promise, this will be the last time!" I pleaded. I lost my balance and was about to fall from the fence.

"A-ah!" I suddenly fell down, but luckily Zen Liang was quick enough to catch me on his arms.

I raised my head to look at his eyes, still on his embrace.

He looked worried. "Do you want to break your bones?"

"O-oh..." I immediately got off him and stood straight. I can feel my chest jumping. "T-that was close! Haha..." I awkwardly said as I scratch the back of my neck.

Zen Liang sighed, "Let's just go through the gate."

"What? No way! That's boring!" I disagreed.

This guy is way too innocent!

"Haven't you skipped class your whole life? Seriously, bro... You don't go through the gates, it should be through the wall and fence!" I proudly thought him as I was pointing the fence we're climbing.

He didn't reply. He just looked at me in disbelief.

"Come on, man! You need to experience this before leaving high school. Or else you'll be missing out!"

I climb back on the top of the fence. While he's still on the ground.

"Do you trust me, Pres?" I lend him my hand with a smirk.

"You're unbelievable." He shook his head before taking my hands.

"Hehe... Let's have some fun!"

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We arrived at the Dokidoki Fun Place. It's a popular arcade around.

"Welcome to Dokidoki Fun Place!" I introduced.

"What are we doing here?" He asked, as he looked around the place.

It was filled with arcade games and kids playing around along with their parents.

"What else? We'll play of course!"

"How childish..."

"Argh... Stop complaining!" I took his hand and went in.

We went directly to the counter to buy some Dokidoki Fun Place coins.

"My brother used to bring me and my you get sister here before. I kind of miss this place." I muttered while gathering the coins.

"Have you been to a place like this?" I looked at him and asked.

He paused for a moment. "No." And simply answered.

I could feel the emptiness along with his lines.

"Then that's good! Now, you'll experience how fun it is here!" I enthusiastically grabbed his hand and went to play.

We spent a lot of time playing different games in the arcade.

"Hey! Hey! Left!" I screamed as we play the gun games on the side.

"Damn!" I complained while playing the air hockey. "Why are you good at this?"

"I don't know." He shrugged off.

"Tsk, what a show off!"

"Argh! Another one!" We also played basketball, and as usual, I still lose.

"Let's play that one next!"

"Cool! This one too!"

"Just point that one there."

"Like this?"

"Yep."

"Nice one!" We both cheered and bumped our fist.

It had been a long and fun day with him. After playing, we went to a food court and ordered some snacks.

"Why do you kept on winning!" I whined while sipping on my soda.

"Because you suck." He replied before taking a sip.

"Tch! You just got lucky."

"Yeah?" I can see a smirk forming on his stern face.

"Yeah! Oh, let's do this again someday! O-of course, not during classes. Hehe." I gladly suggested.

"I don't know if it's just me... Or did he looked a bit happier?" I thought to myself as I glanced at him.

He looked at me.

"W-what? Do I have something on my face?" I asked.

He then suddenly patted my head.

"Let's do this again someday." He stated with a smile on his face.

It was the first time I saw him smile. And even better, he smiled at me?!

I can feel the heat on my cheeks and ears. I can't help my heart but beat even faster. I feel like I'm going insane.

"I love this..."