The Real RPG of Life Series: Memoirs of Friendship [FIN]

Chapter 2: Time's Up (Chris)

Monday morning; today was the first day of our finals. I still feel a bit sleepy if not, I feel unprepared about two things: facing the exams and her. I still don’t know what to say, an apology sure wouldn’t cut it.

As I was on my way towards the station, I waited for Natasha to come by. But strange enough even though I waited for almost 30 minutes, she still shows no signs of coming.

7:25 in the morning, and still no sign of her. I sighed and took the next train afterwards.

I wanted to mail her, but if I just mailed her casually considering what had happened, she might think I wasn’t that affected by it. No, I just need to talk with her about it. I’ve got to tell her I’m sorry.

As I went ahead to our classroom, I saw some cramming away, some chatting and some just sitting idly waiting for the exams to start. I browsed around the room, I found Erica coaching Penelope at the last minute regarding the exams. But Natasha wasn’t there.

The bell soon rings, our exams were starting in a few moments and yet, she still wasn’t here. Will she be coming today? I’m not so sure.

Sir Hank soon enters the room, and started taking the attendance without delay.

“Natasha.” Sir Hank said out loud. There was no reply.

“Um, Natasha?” Everyone started to look around in search for their female class representative. Out of the blue, the door slides open. It was Natasha, who quietly goes to her seat.

“W-well, you made it in time!”

“Sorry if I was late, sir…” everyone sighed with relief seeing that Natasha was here. I felt it too, but it was accompanied with some uneasiness; something was clearly wrong with her, I just can’t put it into words.

And thus the exam started. Exams here are transferred via the school LAN network and then being sent to the student’s NET while connected to the LAN network. Cheating is impossible in this kind of system; opening another program such as the notes given to us during lecture will automatically detected by the LAN network. I think they made improvements with this as they made sure that when the student opens the exam file, they cannot access their other folders or files other than the exam itself.

As I read on the questions one by one, I felt like I haven’t studied at all. Well I did read a bit but, I can’t help myself but think about Natasha and get distracted by it; I just played Grandiel Online whenever this happens to take my mind off it for a while then go back to reading. Then it happens again and this cycle repeats itself over the weekends.

I looked at Natasha’s place, and she seemed to be doing fine. She looks confident about her answers as she answers away.

I focused on my own answers and soon after an hour and a half has passed and the first part of the exams were over. A few minutes after a short break, we had our next exam. This day ended with us taking 3 exams. At the last part of the exam, Natasha stands up and quickly leaves the room. She seemed like she was in a hurry.

It happened again the next day, at the last exam, she finishes and leaves early. Erica and Penelope would look at her as she leaves the room; those three haven’t talked yet it seems.

On the fourth and last day of the exam, we only had 2 sets to finish. I went inside the room and it was the same as usual, a bit lively, a few were still cramming notes off. I found Erica there, sitting idly on her seat.

“G-good morning, Chris.” She greets me casually.

“Oh, good morning…” I paused a bit and asked “Penelope and Natie aren’t here yet?”