In Time

-Eighteen-

6 April 2017, Thursday

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"Damn it! What was wrong with the last question in the paper? It's practically unsolvable," Jon lamented.

"It's fine Jon," I brushed him off.

"It's not! Losing that many marks would jeopardise my position as the top student this year," a worried tone laced his usual competitive streak. "You probably got it wrong and didn't even realise," he accused.

I rolled my eyes. Of course I would have realised, this was my third time doing the same paper. But I didn't say anything.

"Georgie! Did you manage to solve the last question?" Jon diverted his attention to an academic rival whom he deemed as his equal. Apparently I was Jon's inferior when it came to academics. And sports. And looks as well.

She sulked. "No, I couldn't solve it. Your position as top student is still secure," she dripped sarcastically.

"If you guys were competing for the lowest grade, then maybe I'll get the top position for that," Aus commented dejectedly.

On second thought, I realised that we had been rather insensitive around Aus for the longest time. Talking about being the top student and exaggerating the sorrow of losing a couple of marks when Aus was struggling to pass his papers. I understood what that felt like, born without a genius mind like Jon's and George's, studying for papers but still not have your efforts pay off.

"It's okay Aus. Exams are just one method of assessing students. Exams simply test our ability to regurgitate information in a few hours, they don't show how much stuff we have actually learnt in school. So exams don't define us, and we are more than just marks and grades," I reasoned.

"Wow X, good job with your philosophical speech. But life is a bitch. How are you going to land a good job without good academic credentials? Don't give me the 'interviewers look at your personality' crap, because you're not even going to get any interviews," Jon rebutted.

'Learn how to pick your battles.' I wasn't going to win this argument. So I nodded in agreement and let Jon say his piece. Jon and I had always had different opinions but we always agreed to disagree eventually.

From the corner of my eye, I saw Diana making her way to the canteen with the rest of her class. They must just have been dismissed after the paper.

"Guys, I've got some business to attend to. See you later at lunch," I hurried away quickly before I lost sight of her.

Aus shouted from across the crowd, "X, just say so if you need to take a crap." He was definitely out to embarrass me.

Widening my strides, I finally caught up with Diana in the crowd of students and tapped on her shoulder. However, in the massive flurry of students jostling and elbowing to get to the front of the queues, I lost my footing and grabbed at whatever I could in my vicinity to regain my balance.

I looked up after recovering from my mini heart attack. I was clutching onto Diana's arm to prevent myself from face-planting the ground while she was trying hard to stifle a giggle. I let go quickly and proceeded to recompose myself, acting as though nothing had happened.

"X, is this one of those 'falling for you' pickup lines? I think you took it a bit too literally," she ushered me to a less crowded area of the canteen. "But seriously, are you okay?" her mischievous smile faded as quickly as it came on.