“Begin your group reading. We will come together as a class to discuss in 15 minutes,” Mrs. Moriel said.

  The entire class turned their attention from Mrs. Moriel to their peers near them and the paper in front of them.

  ‘I hate group work…’

  I turned my head to those around me and inwardly sighed.

  Despite not being very fond of my situation, I had to give it my all.

  I had to do well in English class. Even though it was above 95%, it was still one of my lower grades.

  Looking at the people I’d be working with, I realized that one of them was Shin.

  ‘Maybe this will help me to understand this guy better.’

  With that thought in mind, I spoke.

  “Alright so let’s decide on who’ll read each paragraph. I guess I could read…” I began to say before getting cut off.

  “Yeah, yeah I get it. I’ll do the first, you do the second, you do third, and you do the last one. Then I’ll answer the questions so you guys don’t mess it up,” Shin said coldly and with a hint of annoyance.

  I slightly frowned in response to Shin’s attitude.

  ‘Interrupting me? Really? What the hell? Dirtbag.’

  Despite my anger, I restrained myself and didn’t argue with Shin. He was much smarter than me, after all.

  And everything really did end up fine.

  We all read the text and Shin quickly knew the answers to each question.

  He answered not only questions about finding specific moments or information mentioned in the text, but also ones requiring us to interpret the themes and messages of the text.

  When we all came together as a class to review the answers Shin was completely correct.

  ‘I definitely wouldn’t have gotten those answers that fast, assuming I got them right in the first place. Geniuses are such a pain.’

  I continued to complete my work as I inwardly complained about my intelligence for the rest of class.

  For my next period, since it was Tuesday, was Science with Nishimoya.

  “When we’re adults, why don’t we all get in a car and drive around the world together?” Nishimoya suggested as she wrote in her science packet.

  “We’d likely die. I don’t trust you or Soriel to drive and Tristan would probably make us crash by reading while driving. And I would crash the car because it’d be funny,” I replied, also writing in my assigned packet.

  “Exactly. It’d be fun, so we should do it,” Nishimoya said confidently.

  I looked up from my paper and stared at her.

  “You know what? Sure, we’ll do that one day,” I responded.

  Nishimoya looked up at me and smiled back.

  “Good. Oh…what are the reactants for photosynthesis again?” Nishimoya asked.

  “Carbon dioxide…light…and water,” I answered, pausing a few times to recall the answers.

  Nishimoya nodded and began writing in her packet once again.

  At that moment, I had a sudden thought.

  “Hey Nishimoya, are you ready for the upcoming regents?” I asked abruptly.

  The regents exams that were needed for graduation were soon approaching. It was already December and we had to take them in January.

  This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.

  But due to my forgetfulness, I hadn't talked to them about it much. So I was curious about how they were preparing.

  “Yes, I am. My parents have been making me study daily for them. Are you ready?” Nishimoya replied calmly.

  ‘Oh yeah, Nishimoya’s parents definitely already readied her for the exams. I guess that was a dumb question on my part.’

  With a slight bit of self annoyance, I answered Nishimoya.

  “As ready as I can be,” I responded.

  This was the truth. I had been studying since the beginning of the school year, only stopping for a short period of time before starting again last Friday.

  In response to my answer, Nishimoya made a look of understanding and continued to work on her packet.

  ‘I guess I should start getting productive too. If I keep acting lazy and distracted, I won’t get myself anywhere.’

  My eyes slightly dimmed.

  ‘Although…even if I focus and work hard…will I be able to achieve anything anyway?’

  With that thought, I picked up my pencil and began working in my own science packet.

  **

  “Boom biddy pop bop bood dee poo,” I blurted out randomly.

  I sat at my cafeteria table in the lunch room with the others, resting my head on the surface.

  “What are you even saying?” Nishimoya asked, with concern and confusion.

  “Ignore him, he’s gone insane again,” Tristan said as he read his book.

  My head jerked up dramatically and I made a hurt expression.

  “How dare you! I am fully sane. In fact, I’m the smartest, strongest and handsome person to ever exist! The king of the world!” I exclaimed.

  ‘Ah, that’s a lie. I’m dumb, weak, and ugly too. The lowest of the low…’

  “Let’s try not to get too egoistical, okay?” Soriel said politely.

  I made my eyebrow twitch.

  “Egoistical?! How can I be egoistical if I’m only saying the truth?”

  ‘Another lie, in truth, I am inferior to everyone around me. I am nothing.’

  “You’re an idiot,” Tristan insulted flatly.

  “You’re a fool! You clearly don’t understand my genius!” I retorted.

  ‘I wonder…why do I keep lying like this? Oh yeah, I already know the answer to that. But I still have another question. Do I really belong in this school? A place full of talent? Oh yeah, I know the answer to that too. I really need to stop asking such pointless questions…’

  Through my dramatic and comedic performances, I eventually ended up changing the topic of the conversation.

  And then we all continued to talk amongst ourselves, having lots of fun while we did.

  **

  Pop!

  I slowly rolled my neck in circles until I felt a satisfying pop.

  “I bet that felt good,” Soriel said from her piano stool, as usual.

  “Yeah it really did,” I replied, sitting next to her.

  We were hanging out in the music room after school, something we had begun to do a lot more frequently.

  “Oh yeah, wouldn’t me sitting here make it harder for you to practice?” I asked with a bit of worry.

  “That’s not a bad thing. The harder the challenge, the more I’ll improve. And…I hate seeing you alone on the floor like that,” Soriel said as she placed her hands on the piano keys.

  Soriel then began to practice her playing for a little while.

  But, for once, I wasn’t focusing on enjoying and taking in her musical talent.

  Instead, I thought of some questions I wanted to ask her about.

  And when she finished playing, I asked her about what I had been wondering.

  “Hey Soriel,” I called out.

  “Yes?” She replied curiously.

  “Why are you so kind all the time? I mean you even do community service.” I asked.

  Soriel paused for a second and smiled.

  “It’s because my grandfather raised me to be as kind as possible. And with all that he’s done for me, I have to honor those ideals,” Soriel answered proudly.

  Listening to her answer, another question came forth.

  “What about your parents? Was your grandfather the only one who raised…ah forget it. That was an insensitive question,” I said with a hint of guilt in my voice.

  ‘Think Elliot, think before you speak!’

  To my relief, Soriel’s smile didn’t fade.

  “It’s okay, I don’t mind. My mom wasn’t very involved in my life so she passed me onto my grandfather. My father is very busy with work, so even though he still sends gifts and money, I don’t see him very often. Making my grandfather my primary caretaker,” Soriel explained with a calm tone.

  I nodded in understanding.

  ‘She doesn’t seem like she’s bothered about it. What a positive person, her grandpa raised her well. Although I wonder what happened to her grandmother…’

  With that question answered, my questions turned to a very different topic.

  “Soriel, what would you do if you didn’t have your piano talent?” I asked.

  “Simple, I’d play the piano,” Soriel replied.

  “But you wouldn’t have your talent…do you think you’d reach the same level of playing without it?” I questioned, pushing my point further.

  “Even without talent, I’d work to become just as good as I am now. I’d find a way,” Soriel answered, still calm.

  “But without talent, that’s impossible. Talent is the foundation of success, you can’t be that excellent without it,” I stated.

  Soriel listened intently to what I had to say.

  “For example, I’m not intelligent. So if I played a game of chess against a genius, I’d never win,” I explained.

  “But I think you’re intelligent…” Soriel mumbled.

  “Nah, I’m not,” I retorted.

  Soriel stared at me and frowned slightly with disapproval.

  “I don’t agree with you, but I don’t know how to explain why yet…” Soriel said, slightly disheartened.

  I looked at her with a raised eyebrow.

  “Uh…ok?” I responded, not really knowing what to say.

  “You know what?” Soriel said.

  “What?” I replied.

  “I’m going to figure out what I want to say. Then, I’m going to prove you wrong,” She said matter of factly.

  “Good luck with that?” I awkwardly spoke.

  Once she said that, Soriel pouted and began to play once again.

  ‘I’ve made quite an interesting friend.’