~Exam Placements~ [Jalice]

~Exam Placements~

"Aw~ what's with the sour face, Jack? Did your cat die today?" A sandy-haired male cheekily teased the sulking ravenette beside him whilst playfully poking his cheek.

"Keith, shut up. I don't even have a cat." Jack growled, smacking the offending digit away from his cheek for the umpteenth time. His eyes continuing to squint at a particular person.

"Or was it your pride that had died? Fufu." Not minding the smack he had received just recently, Keith continued to administer pokes to the right side of Jack's face.

"Keith." There was an underlying tone of threat when the jester's name was spoken, affixing his glare towards his companion.

"Alright~ alright~ I'll stop." Keith held his hands up in the air as if conceding. He didn't want another taste of a Soccer ball smacking itself right in the face yet again.

Jack shook his head at his companion's antics. Normally, he would just shrug it off or even tease his friend back, but not today. He returned back to the thought he had been mulling over before Keith had unceremoniously interrupted that train of thought. The cogs in his mind start to once again rotate.

How? How was he only third highest overall in the exam? Simone being the highest was understandable. The guy practically did nothing other than keep his head buried in any academic-related books. He would have been fine with the outcome if it weren't for Alice sliding into second place, the spot he should have gotten. Ok, not exactly fine, but less salty than he currently was. Some day he'll beat Simone, but definitely after taking back his rightful spot.

He started studying and reviewing his notes ever since the exam date was announced. He was also sure that she barely studied for it, since he had heard her continiously rant to Nisha about what he assumed was the latest story she had read and other mundane topics. Never did she even briefly mentioned anything related to the exam. The exception would be now with Nisha seemingly also sulking after seeing her scores and what seemed like Alice trying to comfort her, albeit awkwardly. He couldn't exactly hear, but it mirrored the times he was able to eavesdrop--to coincidentally hear similar interactions.

Jack quickly dismissed the slow dawning realization over how stalker-ish that was. It wasn't stalking. It...It was just sizing up the competition. Just sizing up the competition and definitely not stalking. It was all for the greater good of usurping back his rank.

As Keith observed his friend's slow facial transition from a scrunching glare into a slightly wide-eyed expression as if something dawned on him, a Chesire-like grin started to spread through his features. Maybe he could guess what was going on in the ravenette's mind.

"So, is this about Alice?" He asked, breaking the tension. The wide cheeky grin ever present in his face like the times he brought out that specific topic.

"..."

"Pfft, you're really hungover that?"

"..."

"...Look, maybe there's a good explanation to this."

"Effort is never rewarded."

"Jack."

"But... how? I don't think it's possible to be this good-? Winging probably the entire exam? Hell, it might even--"

"She studies, ok?"

"What."

"You've noticed that her and Simone would usually hangout after school, right? They study together. She just probably has a good memory? Plus, your general grades are higher than hers, so stop being so gloomy. Seriously, you're only missing a floating rain cloud."

"..."

"Jack..?"

"Thanks for the info, Keith."

"You're welcome."

Keith could hear the sound of friction generated by the chair and floor. Jack ducked down and grabbed his bag and the belongings on his table. The items he was holding were placed in their proper places inside it. Jack was about to head out of the classroom before a voice stopped him.

"Where are you going?"

"Library."

"Wait, why?"

"Gonna borrow some books, so that I can make notes in advance."

"What..?"

"She's better than me when it comes to tests and the like, but weak when it comes to performance."

"You're point being?"

"She rarely recites, and recitation is part of our performance grade. I'm simply changing tactics."

"But why do all of this?"

Jack could hear the confusion in his friend's voice. Not only that, but also see it on his facial expressions.

"...Pride, Keith. Her grades seem to be improving, and I'll be damned if sh gets higher than me."

Keith sighed.

"You do you, I guess. Cya tomorrow then."

"Yeah."

Jack immediately left the premise. Another sigh was exhaled out of Keith's lips.

"My God, both of you may be smart, but you act like dumbasses when it comes to your feelings. Ughh, these two need external help with how oblivious they are being..."

------------

Alice's first instinct was to use her hand to cover sneeze and used her handkerchief to wipe whatever substance had been caught. Simone turned his head to her direction, sending a questioning look.

"Sorry..."

Simone shrugged and went back to the book he was reading before placing it down.

"You never told me why you've suddenly wanted to get higher scores. This isn't like you."

"..."

"Alice?"

"You could say that I've found my motivation for it-?"

"Ah, good for you."

"..."

"It's Asendo, isn't?"

"Wha-What?"

"That confirms it."

Simone went back to focusing on his reading before Alice could start protesting.

"It's-It's not!"