Random Short Stories

Us against the world pt. 5

On the fourth year we met, we started intense preparations for a looming national exam. This meant that soon, we would advance to a different school. You with your straight As could go to any school of your choice, and it wasn't as if I didn't know that your goal was the top junior college in our city. I had only mediocre grades that would only get me a position in a neighbourhood school, far away from where you would be. I didn't want to part, and so I studied really hard. When we were free, we would call each other to do homework and revision together. I also had you tutor me.

I remember on the day of our first exam, I got so nervous I kept trembling. You had to come over from your class and comfort me. I'm still sorry to have made you worry back then.

Fortunately, after a few papers, the butterfly attacks in my stomach eased and I became more able to cope with the exam stress.

We had a fun holiday after that. We went kite flying and cycling, swimming, rock climbing. There were days we just stayed home and gamed too. It felt good to relax after studying so hard.

Of course, all the forgotten stress once against crashed over me as we awaited the release of our results. It just suddenly hit me on how I practically screwed up my practical exams, which only aggravated my nervousness.

I remember turning around just to get a glance of you for comfort as I headed to my teacher on wobbly knees. Your smile gave me the courage I needed to just grab my results, sign my name on the sheet and go.

We met up after you collected your results. That day, we decided on your home. I remember myself being so afraid to open the envelope. In the end, I had you open it and forcefully shove it in my face. I got B for half my subjects and A for the other half. Maybe it was all the stress I endured, or the relief I felt, or the disappointment that came as well, because tears just endlessly made their way down my face.

Instinctively, you grabbed your headphones on the table and placed it gingerly on my ears. I was greeted by my favourite song. "You did your best. Well done." You mouthed as "Bad Day" by Daniel Powter rushed into my ears. Somehow, that brought a smile to my face.

You passed with flying colours as usual.

In February the following year, you enrolled into your dream school and I the typical neighbourhood one.