The next day arrived at Belmont, and the students were seated in their respective classrooms. The lively chatter of young voices filled the air as they waited for their lessons to begin.
Olive sat beside Lucas, while Mark and Lara shared a desk near the window. Aiden, however, sat alone at the far corner of the room, his head bent over a notebook, doodling absentmindedly.
Just then, Mr. Jas, their English teacher, walked into the classroom. His usual cheerful deanor was replaced with a serious expression. The casual hum of conversation dwindled instantly as the students sensed the shift in tone. Chairs scraped as everyone hurried to sit properly, their gazes fixed on Mr. Jas, who stood at the front of the room with a file in his hands.
"Good morning, students," Mr. Jas began, his voice calm but firm. "I’ve prepared a study titable for all of you. This will take place during this class, and you will be working with assigned study partners."
A few murmurs rippled through the class, but Mr. Jas raised a hand to silence them before continuing, "Instead of introducing new topics, you’ll revise the ones we’ve already covered. Your exams are fast approaching, and I want to ensure every single one of you is prepared. These exams will determine who qualifies for college, so I expect you all to take this seriously."
He paused, his sharp gaze sweeping over the room. "Now, I know so of you are thinking, ’Why should I care? My parents can pay my way into any school.’ Let remind you," he said, his voice growing sharper, "those ’elite schools’ won’t accept you if your grades don’t et their standards. No institution wants to admit a dullard, no matter how rich their parents are."
The classroom erupted into laughter at Mr. Jas’ blunt comnt, but he didn’t join in. Instead, he clapped his hands sharply. "Silence!" he commanded.
The students quickly quieted down, sitting straighter under Mr. Jas’ piercing gaze.
"That’s better," he said, his tone firm but slightly less severe. "Now, as I was saying, you’ll each have a study partner. I’ve already assigned the pairs, and the list is on the front desk. Check it once I’m done talking."
The students exchanged curious looks, wondering who their partners would be.
Lucas leaned closer to Olive and whispered, "I hope we’re partners."
Olive smiled at him, her eyes bright with anticipation. " too," she whispered back.
Mr. Jas cleared his throat, drawing their attention back to him. "I expect you all to take this seriously. Use this ti wisely. Review every topic we’ve covered, and don’t be afraid to help each other out. This exam is important, and I will not tolerate laziness or excuses. Is that understood?"
The class responded with a collective nod, though the expressions on their faces varied. So students looked determined, while others appeared indifferent, clearly not taking Mr. Jas’ warnings to heart.
Satisfied, Mr. Jas began handing out the study schedules. The rustling of papers and quiet murmurs filled the room as the students leaned in to check their assignnts.
Olive and Lucas were thrilled to discover they had been paired together. Their eyes t, and they exchanged excited smiles.
"I knew it!" Lucas exclaid excitedly, his eyes lighting up. "Now, let’s get to work," he added with enthusiasm.
Olive nodded in approval, her smile warm. "Let’s make this count," she said, opening her notebook.
anwhile, Mark and Lara exchanged a high-five, clearly pleased with being paired together. They leaned closer, already discussing their plan for the study session.
Most of the students seed content with their assigned partners. However, a few looked less than thrilled. Aiden, sitting alone in the corner, glanced around the room with a mixture of curiosit. He wondered who his study partner would be and if they would get along.
Just then, Annabella approached Aiden’s desk, her steps confident. She stopped in front of him and announced, "I’m your study partner."
Aiden raised an eyebrow, leaning back in his chair with a smirk. "And you really think I’d want to study with you?" he sneered. "You wish!"
Without waiting for a reply, he stood up abruptly and raised his hand to get Mr. Jas’ attention.
"Yes, Aiden? What’s the problem?" Mr. Jas asked, his brow furrowing in curiosity.
"I want to change my study partner," Aiden replied bluntly, crossing his arms over his chest.
Mr. Jas let out a heavy sigh, his expression turning stern. "You don’t get to choose your partner or request a change, Aiden. The pairs were assigned for a reason, and I expect you to work with Annabella."
"But...." Aiden began.
"No buts," Mr. Jas interrupted firmly. "If there’s been any past misunderstanding between the two of you, put it behind you. Focus on the task at hand. This is about your studies, not your preferences."
Aiden opened his mouth to protest again, but the teacher cut him off with a pointed glare. "That’s enough. Now, sit down and get to work."
Reluctantly, Aiden returned to his seat, his expression sullen. Annabella joined him, sitting quietly beside him. Her gaze, however, wandered toward Olive and Lucas, who were already deep into their books, chatting softly and exchanging smiles as they studied.
Before long, Mr. Jas clapped his hands, drawing the class’s attention. "One more thing, keep your phones away. If I catch anyone using a phone, I’ll confiscate it, and you may not get it back. Understood?"
The classroom filled with murmurs of discontent. So students groaned softly, but the seriousness in Mr. Jas’ tone made them quickly comply. They nodded reluctantly, shoving their phones into their bags.
Aiden sighed heavily, clearly displeased, but he grudgingly opened his notebook. Annabella offered a tentative smile, trying to lighten the mood, but Aiden didn’t respond.
anwhile, Olive and Lucas continued their studies. As they worked, Lucas leaned closer and whispered, "Aiden has an appointnt with the doctor this afternoon for the second stage of his treatnt."
Olive looked up from her notes, concern clouding her expression. "Yeah, the doctor texted , too. I really hope he responds to the treatnt this ti. It would put a smile on his face, and we’d all be happy for him."
Lucas nodded, his voice dropping even lower. "I hope so, too. Honestly, I’m scared, but I can’t let him see that. It’d hurt him even more if he thought I was worried. I’m trying to stay strong for him."
Olive reached over and gently touched his arm, offering a reassuring smile. "Don’t be sad. I believe everything will turn out fine." She hesitated before adding with a teasing tone, "Now, let go of my hand before Mr. Jas catches us."
Lucas grinned mischievously, holding her hand tighter under the table. "We can study while holding hands," he said, his eyes twinkling. "It helps focus. Believe , it’ll make absorb the material faster."
"You’re impossible!" Olive huffed, her annoyance fading as she let out a small sigh. She glanced back at her textbook, shaking her head at Lucas’ antics.
For the next hour, the classroom remained quiet, save for the occasional rustling of pages. Mr. Jas patrolled the room, his gaze sharp as he monitored the students.
Eventually, Olive raised her hand.
"Yes, Arthur?" Mr. Jas asked, walking over to her desk.
"May I use the restroom, please?" she asked, her tone urgent. "I can’t hold it any longer."
Mr. Jas glanced at the clock before nodding. "Alright, go ahead. Lunch break is soon, but I’ll allow it."
As Olive left the room, Lucas raised his hand too. "May I go, too, sir?"
Mr. Jas hesitated but eventually agreed. "Fine, but be quick."
Lucas followed Olive out of the classroom, his steps quick and purposeful.
___________
Olive walked into the restroom and headed toward one of the stalls. Just as she was about to lock the door, Lucas appeared, blocking it with his foot.
"Lucas?" Olive exclaid, startled. "What are you doing here?"
"To pee, of course," Lucas replied with a smirk.
"Then go pee!" Olive snapped. "Why are you stopping from using the bathroom?"
Instead of answering, Lucas grabbed her hand and pulled her out of the stall. With surprising ease, he scooped her up, her legs instinctively wrapping around his waist as he carried her to the sink.
"Are you crazy?" Olive hissed, her eyes darting around nervously. "What if soone sees us?"
"Relax," Lucas said with a grin. "Everyone’s in class. Mr. Jas wouldn’t let more than two students out at a ti."
"You’re going to get us in trouble," Olive muttered, her voice tinged with irritation.
Lucas leaned closer, his tone softening. "I just missed you, that’s all."
"You’re seeing every day," Olive replied, her annoyance clear. "What’s there to miss?"
"I miss the kisses, the cuddles, the hugs," Lucas confessed, his voice sincere. "I just wanted to be close to you."
Before Olive could respond, Lucas gently tilted her chin up and pressed his lips to hers. Despite her initial resistance, Olive found herself lting into the kiss.
The sounds of muffled moans filled the small, dimly lit bathroom. Olive and Lucas were locked in a heated embrace, their breaths mingling as their lips collided in a passionate rhythm. However, their mont was abruptly interrupted when the sharp crash of a flower vase echoed from the hallway.
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