Deviating from the original plot

Chapter thirty-nine

❁❁ALICIA'S LIFE BEFORE HER DEATH.❁❁

It was the day before summer break. The air buzzed with excitement as students chattered about vacations, beach trips, and endless days of freedom. Yet, beneath the lively atmosphere, was a strained feeling—the report cards had just been handed out, and the placement board stood at the centre of the hallway.

"Alicia, look! This time you came second—right after Jason!" Cheryl squeaked, her small voice carrying farther than she intended. Heads turned, curious eyes shifting toward them.

"Only a single mark between the two of you," Tomika said. "He got lucky this time."

"It's just a score, nothing more. "Besides, I was first last time," Alicia replied with a sigh. "Doesn't need to be a competition."

"But your marks are really high though... a 97 and 96. That's impressive," Hannah murmured softly.

"Guess I'm at the top this round," Jason's voice cut in as he strolled up, a confident smile on his face. "Wouldn't you agree, Scholar Alicia?"

"Don't call me that." Alicia cringed, her expression twisting.

Jason chuckled. "But it's true. Shame we're heading into the holidays—I actually enjoy school days."

"Well, I don't share your weird enthusiasm," Alicia shot back, giving him a side eye.

"That's what I'll miss," Jason teased, tapping her shoulder before walking past. "Your bluntness and that constant grumpy face."

Alicia clicked her tongue in irritation as Jason winked and disappeared down the hall. "So strange," she muttered, turning back to her friends. "Come on, let's get going."

But her friends just stared at her, their faces twisted with suspicion.

"...What?" Alicia asked, raising a brow.

✦ ✦

"Sometimes I really think you're hiding something from us," Cheryl said as the girls walked home, her tone half-joking, half-serious.

"Yeah," Tomika added, narrowing her eyes. "The way you two talk—it's sus. Almost like your academics is like some kind of... foreplay. It was weird."

"Excuse me?!" Alicia nearly tripped on the sidewalk, her cheeks heating up. "That is the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard."

Cheryl giggled. "Well... the two of you do bicker a lot, but it's not like you actually hate him."

Alicia groaned, covering her face with her hands. "You guys are imagining things. Jason's just... Jason. Annoying and always trying to get on my nerves."

"But did you all forget?" Hannah cut in with a sly smile. "Alicia already has someone she likes—the captain of the girls' volleyball team. Denise Smith."

"Oh yeah, that's right," Cheryl said, nodding.

"You're all such losers," Alicia muttered, rolling her eyes.

"Well, she could like Jason and Denise at the same time," Tomika teased. "She is pansexual, after all."

"Shut up! I don't like anyone!" Alicia snapped, her face heating up.

"But you did like Denise," Hannah pressed. "You always watched her practice from the sidelines but never once went up to introduce yourself. Classic loser move."

"I am not a loser!" Alicia shouted.

"Oh please," Hannah said, laughing. "I literally helped you get her number once and even dragged you over to meet her. And what did you do? You bolted like a scaredy cat."