New Version of Myself

"Audrey."

"Kevin."

"Katherin."

"Andrew."

Hearing his name called, Andrew snapped out of his thoughts and walked quietly to the front of the class to take his chemistry exam paper. His fear of failing became real when he saw his own paper and saw a red mark of 70. Disappointment weighed heavily on his shoulders as he returned to his seat.

Katherin, who was sitting beside him, noticed his dejected expression and couldn't help but ask, "How's it going? Everything okay?"

Andrew sighed and reluctantly showed his work to Katherin.

"Oof, man, it's fine though. You did your best," Katherin said, trying to be optimistic.

"Not as good as you," Andrew replied, his low self-esteem evident in his voice.

Katherin reassured him, as she wanted to put her exam paper in her bag, "Everyone has their own speciality."

"If so, you have to teach me chemistry until I get it," Andrew said as he took Katherin's hand and grabbed her exam paper to compare it with his work for revision. Katherin could only shake her head with a hint of a smile. She knew her best friend's competitive side.

Over the next month, Andrew put in his best effort, but despite his hard work, he still couldn't match Katherin's grades. His toxic thoughts told him he wouldn't make it, but he persevered.

"Done the homework yet?" Katherin asked one day as she sat next to him, turning off her wireless headphones.

"Two numbers left; I can't even understand how to do it," Andrew replied.

Katherin was ready to show him the answers, but Andrew insisted, "No, better you teach me."

Katherin paused for a moment, looking at his determined face.

"Please," Andrew added, his tone softening with a flat smile.

"Haha.. there you go." Katherin happily opened her notes and taught Andrew.

With one week left before the exam, Andrew grew more confident. Though a tiny doubt lingered in his heart, he pushed it aside.

"I'll do my best; I'll do what I can," Andrew mumbled to himself.

"You'll do great," Katherin whispered as she shared her notebook with him.

During the week, both of them studied together either at the café, the library, sometimes in Katherin's house, sometimes in Andrew's house, or even on the school rooftop. Both of them were ambitious to chase the best score they could get for the exam.

The night before the exam, Andrew prayed, "Dear God, please bless us." Katherin did the same, both seeking success in the upcoming exam.

Andrew feels confident when he writes on the exam paper. He felt that he could answer each question confidently. On the other side, Katherin, who sits behind him, stays chill and calm during the exam week. She was also confident in her answer.

After a long and tiring exam week, finally, the day arrived. The graduation ceremony was held, and report cards were distributed to all the students. Andrew was pleasantly surprised to find that he had not only improved but also surpassed Katherin's score.

"Geez, man, I can't believe my eyes." Katherin said dramatically as she saw her straight A report card, which was still lower than Andrew's overall mark.

"All thanks to you, Kath," Andrew said softly as he saw his report card with some glimmer in his eyes.

"All thanks to God, and you've got the ambition you deserve," Katherin said humbly.

"So road to Canada?" asked Katherin jokingly, as she knew Andrew had a dream to go to one of the universities in Canada.

"Sure, why not? How about you?"asked Andrew back. "Road to Australia?" he continued.

Katherin seemed to gloom a little bit. "Proly when master degree."

"Why, though?" asked Andrew.

Katherin lightly laughed. "My family state is not that good; I'll stay here a little longer."

"Aaah, I see, wish all the best for you," Andrew said genuinely, and both of them enjoyed the graduation ceremony.

That night, Andrew was truly grateful to have Katherin by his side as he struggled academically. Yet, on the other side, Katherin always thanked God for giving Andrew as her best friend so that she didn't feel lonely and had someone by her side to study and support each other.

Several years later, they kept in touch. The time zone didn't stop them from chatting online, until Andrew decided to give Katherin a surprise.

The scene started as Katherin was hanging out with her friends at college. All the girls had their boys, and vice versa, except for Katherin. She was the only one standing alone at the hangout. Well, Katherin didn't mind that. She was the one who wanted to stay single at least until she got a dream her dream car, a Lamborghini Aventador. Unrealistic, some said, but how could they know for sure?

During the hangout, Andrew showed up out of nowhere. Well, Katherin knew that the person walking toward her was Andrew, but she refused to believe it because all she remembered was that Andrew was still in Canada, and he said he would be busy since he had an upcoming event at his campus and was one of the committee members.

Andrew greeted her and said, "Hi, Kath, it's been a while."

Katherin refused to believe her eyes. "Andrew?"

Andrew mentally rolled his eyes. "Yeah, it's me. Who else?"

"When did you come back, and why? Aren't you busy for the event?"

"Yesterday night. Because I want to. No, I'm lying." Andrew shrugged.

"Really, Andrew? Give me a logical reason why." Katherin seemed to be in disbelief.

"Why? Is it wrong for me to meet my best friend?"

"Well, no, but..."

"No, but, are you free?"

"Well, hanging out with those..." Katherin said as she pointed her finger at a group of boys and girls.

"Having fun?"

"Not really."

Andrew smirked jokingly before dragging her away, or rather, grabbing her hand and making a run for it.

"Where are we?"

"Just tell your friends you have something urgent."

After some running, they reached the parking lot. Katherin suddenly stopped when she saw a navy Nissan GTR R34, modified to perfection. She took out her phone to take a picture of it since both of them loved everything about cars.

Little did Katherin know that his arrival was not the only surprise.

"Beep!" The car sounded as Andrew pressed the key, leaving Katherin shocked.

"Y-yours?" Katherin stuttered.

Andrew raised his eyebrows and nodded.

"Hop in before it rains."

Katherin stopped lagging and realized there were drops falling from the sky. She quickly got into Andrew's GTR.

"Damn, nice car."

"Thanks," Andrew replied as he turned on the engine.

"Where are we going?"

"Just enjoy the ride."

During the ride, many flashbacks flood Katherin's mind, starting from when they first met, when they both got to be best friends because they talked about cars and theories. Too many things happen at high school—many moments, many memories—it can be a whole series of novels if it is written down. From exchanging answers for the homework to getting ambitious about academic grades until getting competitive for the exam,

Katherin let out a faint smile. She hummed and mumbled, "7 years and still counting?"

"7 years and still counting," Andrew said.

And so they drove off into the sunset, two best friends reunited, ready for anything that would come.