Maze

35

And just like that, Edward's teachings had me nailing through my physics worksheets, fortunately with no homework to spare. 

I continued to do my other classes, then calculus was the next one to torment the heck out of my psyche. Luckily, my best friend, who viewed math as both passion and some form of child's play, swept into my rescue, saving me from my misery.

"Math is not something complicated. Once you understand the basics, the formulas and how something is done, you'll ace everything in no time. That's why I came to love it."

Yes, those were her actual words—and the fact she said it in such a nonchalant manner had me contorting my face. Calculators were nothing but an accessory to her; truly counting was her specialty. Not to mention, she snatched the first-place trophy when she joined the math competition last year. And then there was me, who mindlessly wrote five times five as ten. 

"I understand how to calculate logs, but the process is just... so complicated! I just don't understand how you cancel all of those numbers!" I huffed, nearly slamming the lockers shut after shoving my textbooks in. Lunch break finally punched the clock, and I could not be anymore happier; I needed refreshments real bad. 

"I'll teach you, Rena, don't be so stressed out. You got the pro right here!" Aly boasted as she pointed her thumb onto her chest, as I imagined stars glittered around her. I tore my mouth into a grin—of course she was the expert, there was no denying—while on the other side, Naomi gave her a side glance with narrowed eyes and curled lips.

"Show off," she murmured, crossing her arms. "You think you excel in life just because you're good at math."

"Yes. Jealous?" Aly retorted.

"Meh, not really. I know I sucked at math, but what happens when Rena needs help like chemistry, or biology for that matter?" She shrugged, a smirk morphed into her countenance when Aly's confident face cracked into pieces. She helplessly dropped her arms to the side as she hung her head.

"That's..." Aly heavily hesitated, her voice went faint. "That's the other way around, I guess. We can help each other..." She chuckled sheepishly as her fingers fidgeted, before she trailed her fleeting gaze at me. "After all, Rena did not seem like she needed help in those subjects, right?"

Naomi abruptly burst into a series of guffaws, flinching students nearby and thus earning her dirty looks. At the same time, Aly's eyebrows were pulled to the center as she snapped her head towards Naomi, shooting her dozens of daggers that she could have died instantly if looks were tangible.

"Heh, not so arrogant now, huh? God, just look how your ego shrivels up. Hold up, let us cry a river!!" Naomi's eyes welled in tears as she continued pointing at Aly, where pink, rosy hues began to propagate through her cheeks. She cradled her hurting stomach as her guffaws grew shallow, coupled with wheezes. 

And she still had the energy to slap my back, as if she wanted me to join in her shenanigans. 

"I'll make sure you cry an ocean, how about that?!" Aly snapped, throwing a fist at Naomi's shoulders, but she sidestepped with no effort, while keeping her smugness intact. As they circled around me, Naomi's rapid legs had her propelled faster from Aly, thus helping her to dodge my best friend's subsequent chops. 

"I've been a victim to your attacks, I can now predict your movements!" Naomi exclaimed, before she suddenly skedaddled from us. She watches too many movies...

"Hey, come back here!" Aly, now all worked up and ready to smash her to smithereens, chased her retreating figure in the distance. I watched them disappear into the crowd of students, but I decided not to quicken my pace to pursue after them. I resumed walking casually as I shook my head.