Screen of Secrets

Chapter 5

Fredric

The test is starting in half an hour, and I'm so nervous. I'm sweating like crazy, and I can't shake the feeling that I'm going to fail.

"Hey Fred, what's up?"
Evan looks so relaxed while saying this, as if she took this test yesterday. For her, it’s not a big deal. Even if she doesn’t score perfectly, she’ll still be near the top of the class, and she’s never been in the bottom ranks.

"Hi," I reply.

"It feels like we haven't seen each other in past few weeks." Evan replied.

"Yeah, I know. Where’s Nathan?" I asked.

"Nathan’s running late, but he’ll be here before the test starts."

"Okay."

"You must have studied a lot. I’m sure you won’t be in the bottom list this time, and maybe you’ll even do better than that." Evan says.

"Yeah, you said the same thing last time, and I ended up failing. I wasn't in the bottom, but it was still bad." I reply.

"Don’t say that, Fred."

The bell rings three times, signaling that we need to head to our classrooms. The test starts in ten minutes.

"Let’s meet up after the test, Fred." Evan says.

"I can’t. I have to go home early today. Umm My parents are going to a wedding and they’re taking me with them."

"Okay, cool. Let’s meet tomorrow after all the subject tests are over. Bye."

"Bye."

I lied about the wedding. I just don’t want to hang out today. I’ve worked so hard these past two weeks, and I won’t let it go to waste. I need to go home and review tomorrow’s test material.

_____________________________________________

The tests are over, and I’m meeting Nathan and Evan at the school playground.

"How was the test, guys?" I ask.

Nathan groans. "Oh, Fred, let's not talk about it right now."

"Why not? You two always loved discussing the tests, especially you, Nathan." I ask.

"I know, but I’m not in the mood to talk about it now." Nathan mutters.

"Okay, as you say, my darling." Evan says romantically to Nathan.

"Oh, please, don’t start your lovey-dovey stuff in front of me again. It’s disgusting to watch." I say with meaning everything words I said, it is disgusting.

"You only think it’s disgusting because you don’t have a girlfriend, Fred."  Evan teases.

"I don’t want a girlfriend, Eve." I say teasing her back.

"Hey, don’t call me that." Evan scowls.

"Why not, Eve?" I say to check her patience.

"You bloody—" Evan says angrily.

"Can you both please shut up?" Nathan interrupts.

"No, we can’t, Nath. If you want me to, you’ll have to catch me. Bye!" I take off running.

"Fred, wait, I’m coming for you! I will catch you, you idiot. Evan, can you hold my bag?" Nathan asks.

"I can, but where are you both going? Hey, hey,......, they left me again. Stupid fellows." Evan says as she watches us run off.

I am back home. It's always fun hanging out with them—teasing Evan, running with Nathan, making fun of each other. Talking with them helps relieve my stress.

Mom and Dad are out of town today, so I'm alone at home. I think I’ll watch a series today and start studying again tomorrow. I heat up the food Mom left for me and open the cold drinks I bought from the convenience store on my way home.

I lay on the sofa watching *Alice in Borderland* on Netflix. I'm on episode 4, and I really like the story and the build-up when—I just a heard a loud sound.
What was that sound?

I heard a loud thud coming from my room. No one's home except me. What was that noise?