"Whoa. That was close." Were my first words when I saw the result of my Chemistry test. I had topped obviously but only by one point from Boonsri. The girl had a hard time accepting that as she nagged the teacher continuously to grade her test again.
Finally having had enough, the teacher raised her voice at her and told her to return to her seat and then proceeded to announce the three top scorers in the test, me being the first which made Boonsri scoff in disbelief and throw a glare at me. Everyone was shocked to know Boonsri was second. They stared between her and I a few times.
After the bell rang and everyone started to move out, she stopped in front of my desk and slammed a hand down on it. "Alright, tell me how you managed to copy the answers from me when I was sitting like four seats ahead of you. Did the ones in front of you help in passing my answers to you?"
I didn't bother to hide my snicker at her ridiculous theory. "I thought you were a worthy competition. Turns out I'm wrong considering you came up with an explanation this stupid to make yourself believe that there couldn't be anyone better than you. News flash, now there's someone else who's going to be the smartest person in this grade and that's me."
"You?" She scoffed. "Please, don't make me laugh. Just because luck was on your side for this once doesn't mean shit. Plus, it was just by one point. I advice you to not be so overconfident."
"Well, I return your advice to you because you look to be in dire need of it. People don't always remain on top. Just look at yourself having lost to me by one point, " I gave her a sickly sweet smile.
"Let's see if you get this lucky next time." She laughed mockingly and left.
At lunch, I told Frida and Eli everything from the five devils chasing me after school to Dan's threat to my confrontation with Boonsri that day.
They stared at me in shock after I finished.
"Well say something. Don't just keep staring at me like that." I shook them out of their shock.
"Holy shit. Weren't you scared? You've seriously pissed those four off for them to go to such length to get you. And then Dan. Do not take him lightly, Juliet. I'm scared for you. I don't think you're safe. Things have just gotten worse." Frida looked to Eli for him to give his input.
"For once I agree with Frida. I'm not comfortable with this. You're attracting too much attention of everyone lately. Everyone's already talking about that Chemistry test and Boonsri must be feeling like she's losing her title of the smartest girl and she would do anything to get you out of the way. Then there's also Nia and Pari. Mr. Branson complimented you over her and you Pari are both in the time. The three will think you're going after them. They will not sit still and let you do whatever you want." Eli said the most I'd heard his talk.
"Yes," Frida agreed. "And the four of the bullies will come after you stronger than before after you slipped from their grasp. Then there's Dan. He seriously scares me."
"Guys, don't worry. I'll be fine. I can take whatever they throw at me and not only that, I'll be sure to come back at them twice as hard. You don't need to be scared. But like I said, I can't do much without you two. So I need your help. We're going to start your training and tutoring soon. Eli, have you chosen a place for that?"
"We can do that in my basement. There's just a little junk there but otherwise it's quite big and nobody has any use for it. Will it be okay?"
"Perfect. We start today." I stated.
"Today?" Frida and Eli asked at the same time and to my annoyance it sounded like they were whining.
"You got a problem with that?" I challenged, daring them to come up with any excuse.
"N-no. We are so excited for our first session. Yay." Eli said unenthusiastically but that was enough for me.
I nodded. "Good."
"By the way, you met with Colin and he gave you chocolate?" Frida asked after some time.
I had told them about my encounter with him as well but among the other big things that had happened, that one detail was left forgotten until then.
"Yeah."
"Wow, if you were Julia she'd be over the moon by just talking to him." Eli said amusingly.
"In that case, why don't I make her heart's desire a reality and make him her boyfriend?" I asked.
"No, not this again. I told you we aren't going to play with his feelings like that." Frida shook her head vehemently.
"But won't this be good for Julia? Don't worry, I'll not play with him. I'll tell him.the truth once I'm sure I can trust him. He'll understand and he'll still like her because it's not had fault. You said he was good in Chemistry, right?"
"Yeah." Frida said unsurely. "What does that have to do with you wanting to make him Julia's boyfriend?"
"How good is he?" I asked, ignoring her question.
"Like really good. Better than Boonsri but since Boonsri is better than everyone in all the subjects, no one considers Colin to be better than Boonsri in Chemistry."
"That's perfect because I'm going to ask him to tutor me in Chemistry." I replied.
"But aren't you already very good at it? I mean you beat Boonsri. What else do you need?" Eli asked.
"Yes but by one point. I could've easily lost to her but luckily I had already studied this before so that didn't happen. I need Colin to make the difference bigger. At the same time I'll hook him up with Julia by being her for some time. It's a win-win."
Frida sighed. "Is there any way we can prevent you from doing that?"
"No." I said.
"Then do whatever you think needs to be done."
"Now that I have both of your approval, I'll do just that." I nodded in satisfaction.
Just as our conversation came to an end we saw three girls in front of us. Nia, Pari and Boonsri all stood and stared at us. They weren't the only ones staring, the whole cafeteria was silent and looking our way.
I had long since given up that stupid, childish fight with Nia over a fucking lunch table and chose to sit at another table so I really didn't see how these three would want anything more to do with me.
"Are you going to speak up or are you just going to be creepy and stare at us while we eat?" I asked monotonously.
"What exactly do you have against us?" Nia asked. There wasn't a hint of malice in her tone yet. She genuinely seemed to look for an answer although se did sound stern.
"The fact that you three are keeping me from my food by making me talk to you." I wasn't looking at playing nice.
"Why are you challenging us?" Pari asked.
"It isn't my intention to challenge anyone but are you that insecure about your capabilities that you feel the need to confront someone who you feel is competition? Not only that but you think just because I'm trying my hardest to be a good student, to be active in sports, good in academics and try my best in Art that it is because I'm looking to put you down or something. I love to burst your bubble because honestly you guys don't even hold that much importance in my life."
There were collective gasps from everyone present as they heard my reply and I smirked.
Julia, here comes your popularity.
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