Eleanor

The Results

"Hi Eleanor!"
"Hey girl!"
"What's up, hottie?"
"Eh Eleanor, party at my house tonight. You coming?"

A chorus of greetings sounded as I made my way through the school hall, packed with students getting ready for their first class of the day. I replied to some comments with my own and ignored the rest, just like that last one. I don't have time to engage in a conversation with the school's fuckboy today or any other day.

"Hey-" I stopped dead in my tracks when my childhood friend, Linda got in my line of sight. "Where are heading off to?" She asked like she didn't already know the answer to that. I just raised my eyebrow and brushed past her.

Don't get me wrong. I love Linda more than anything in the world, besides my parents but right now, the anxiety and nervousness were playing such a game on my mind that I wouldn't be able to rest until I got to my destination.

Finally reaching the end of the hall, I stood beside my academic rival and tried to find my name on the list of toppers. My eyes browsed through the top 10 performers from the bottom to the top and double checked the last five.

1. Eugene Santamaria
2. Linda Peveski
3. Melissa Turner
4. Jonathan Willows
5. Eleanor Henris

Sighing in disappointment, I turned to Eugene who was already looking at me with a smirk. He opened his mouth to speak but I beat him to it. "Congratulations for being the top performer this year." His mouth stayed open as he struggled for words but I had already turned away and began to walk.

"Wait up!" He ran up to me and walked beside me.

"Okay, not gonna lie. I was looking forward to boasting about finally being at the top, but you don't look okay and you are not passing any nasty comments- Eleanor, wait!" He picked up pace to match mine.

I stopped and turned to him. "Boasting, retorting, passing nasty comments due to not being on the top... That's all you, Eugene. I never considered us competitors. You do. And I am genuinely happy for you getting the highest scores, truly." And I was. Everything I said was true. Sure, I was sad and disappointed about not being the highest performer this year, but that didn't mean I wasn't happy for the others; especially for Eugene and Linda who felt like she had to hide that from me. To be honest, I already knew I wasn't going to make it. During the last couple of exams last year, my head wasn't in the right place due to my grandma dying, and I was sure I'd have to repeat 12th grade again. But here I am, still among the top performers and going to grade 13, and I am grateful about it.

"You are?" I nodded and offered him one of the first smiles of the day.

"Yeah, how about we go to the new coffee shop today to celebrate you and Linda, hm? My treat."

His eyes widened. "Why would you do that for me? We are not even friends.." He muttered.

"But we could be, right?" I offered, tilting my head to the right. The big smile that appeared on his face warmed my heart.

"I'd love that." He agreed and just then, Linda appeared by my side.

"Should I be worried that he is smiling at you instead of berating you?" Linda glared at Eugene who glared right back at her. Oh right, why didn't I think of this before? Linda hated Eugene more than me for what he had done since primary till now.

"No, not really. We are friends now." I laughed under her scrutinising eyes.

"Aaaaanddd, we are going to the new café to celebrate the results." I announced excitedly.

Linda opened her mouth to say something definitely nasty but shook her head instead. "You know what? Let's just get to class."

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