OUTWIT

CHAPTER 2

It's already late afternoon when they finish eating and hurry out of the cafeteria. The school is pretty quiet at that time, faintly hearing the sounds of diligent students participating in extracurricular activities. Kayla herself doesn't join any extracurriculars, feeling like she doesn't have any non-academic skills.

As they walk through the classroom corridors, only Tatya and Larissa are engaged in lively conversation. They're laughing while Kayla walks behind her two friends, clutching onto her backpack straps.

Unrestrained, her mind keeps drifting to her score being beaten by Galaksi's. Kayla lets out a sigh. Once again, Galaksi's name fills her mind.

Suddenly, Kayla's gaze shifts to the door of their class, 12 IPA 1. The door isn't closed. It should've been closed by their school guard. Meaning there are still students inside, Kayla thinks.

Kayla's steps halt as she reaches the front of the class door. Quietly, she peeks through the gap in the door, her eyes widening when she sees Galaksi inside the classroom. Hurriedly, she hides and then peeks through the window.

Inside, Galaksi is busy with a piece of paper and a pen in his hand. And the headphones Kayla saw earlier this morning are still perched on the guy's head.

Why is Galaksi still in the classroom until late like this? Or could this be what makes Galaksi always come out on top?

Suddenly, the question lingers in Kayla's mind. She shakes her head quickly. If this is indeed one of Galaksi's ways to get the highest score, then Kayla has to follow his secret tricks. But does Kayla have to follow wherever Galaksi goes?

"Huh?!" Kayla exclaims in surprise but quickly covers her mouth. Kayla's eyes widen as she sees Galaksi's body move, and she immediately turns around. She hides behind the wall. Galaksi almost caught her.

Kayla controls her still-racing breath from the recent event. But, she continues to watch Galaksi. Kayla sighs. No wonder she always loses to Galaksi. How couldn't she? In Kayla's eyes now, Galaksi is a guy who studies very hard, surpassing even himself. Even at home, Kayla only touches her textbooks after dinner.

Unexpectedly, Kayla wasted a lot of time while Galaksi made use of that time to study more.

Meanwhile, a few meters ahead, Tatya stops her steps. She then looks back, but her eyes widen when she realizes Kayla isn't there.

"Sa, where's Kayla?" Tatya asks panicking. "Why isn't she behind us?"

"What? She's not there?" Larissa's eyebrows knit together.

Their eyes search for Kayla's figure. Tatya panics even more because it's already late in the afternoon, and the sun will soon set.

Larissa suddenly clicks her tongue while shaking her head. "There, she is!" Larissa points right at Kayla, who's standing in front of the classroom. "What's she doing there? She seems so reluctant to leave the class."

Tatya gently taps Larissa's head. "Quit joking around and call Kayla."

"Why should I?" Larissa asks, pointing at herself. "Just call her; it's such a hassle."

"I can't shout loudly, ugh," Tatya protests, annoyed at Larissa, who never wants to listen to what others say.

"Yeah, yeah, lucky you're my friend. If not ..." - Larissa's eyes glare angrily - "I'd kick you."

"KAYLA, WHAT ARE YOU DOING THERE?"

Hearing that voice, Kayla jumps. Her eyes aim towards the source of the voice. Damn, she panics inwardly. Her two friends must have been waiting for her for a while now.