Julie was studying in her room. It was a whole week of examinations, giving students like her plenty of time to prepare. She was still adjusting, though, because she was used to the regular quarterly exams. Now, they had a "semi–first quarter" exam, separate from the final first quarter exams, which meant she needed to make up for it if she still wanted a chance at being included in the honors list.
There were only two or three subjects scheduled each day, all exams. She could only sigh to herself.
Right now, she was reviewing math and science.
Good luck to me. I'm really weak at these two subjects. She let out a heavy sigh.
Suddenly, she heard a knock at her door and looked up.
"Did I disturb you?" her brother asked.
"It's okay." She smiled at him.
He nodded. "I'm just checking on you. Do you have any questions for tomorrow's subjects? It's my break time." He smiled warmly.
"Ah, I kind of understand most of it, brother, since sometimes Kelly helps me review." She smiled again.
Her brother chuckled softly. "I see. Yeah, Miss Santibañez is really good in math, but no one can beat Kevin when it comes to math," he said casually.
"Is that guy really that smart?" she asked curiously.
"Yes, he's really good with logic. He answers quickly."
"Even smarter than you?" she blurted out.
Her brother just laughed. "Maybe, I'm not sure."
"My brother is so humble," she teased.
He lightly tapped her head. "So, what part don't you understand?" Chris asked.
She thought for a moment, asked her questions, and he explained everything clearly. She understood his explanation right away.
"Why is it that when you explain things, it feels so easy?" she asked, glancing at him.
He just laughed at her question. After tutoring her for a bit, he went back to his room.
"God bless," he said before leaving.
"Thank you, brother," Julie replied with a smile.
He ruffled her hair. "Don't stay up too late. We have to wake up early tomorrow."
She nodded obediently.
The next day, she quietly reviewed while waiting inside the classroom. She gave her brain a little rest—otherwise, she might blank out during the exam. It was only a half-day, anyway. She'd be going straight home afterward, which was a big help so she could review more.
She also noticed some students reviewing even in the hallway.
You can't afford to fail here, Julie. Tuition is too expensive, she reminded herself.
Their first exam was math.
Your nose is going to bleed early today, Julie, she joked to herself.
When the examination started, their teacher made sure the students were separated. Julie was surprised to find that her seatmate was Cielo.
Of all people, why him? she thought.
In front of her were Joel and Dennis. She turned slightly to see who was behind her.
Melissa gave her a small smile and waved quietly. Julie smiled back. Their phones had all been collected, leaving only pens, pencils, and exam permits on their desks.
She sighed as the teacher gave instructions.
Be nice, Julie, she told herself.
They were given their test papers along with an extra sheet of bond paper for their solutions. Julie answered quietly, focusing hard.
I hope my solutions are right, she thought nervously.
*****
So serious, Cielo thought as he stared at Julie beside him.
She was deep in thought, sometimes looking up at the ceiling as if searching for an answer.
At least there's no Set A and Set B this time, he noted.
If I get the chance, maybe I'll let her copy my answers. That way, I can make it up to her somehow.
He knew their math teacher was very strict. She sat silently at her desk, signing exam permits while keeping a close eye on the class.
Most of the test was multiple choice and problem-solving. The room was so quiet, Cielo could only hear sighs, the faint scratching of pens, and the occasional creak of desks as students shifted in their seats.
He watched Julie's little expressions—the way her brow furrowed, how her eyebrows rose in frustration, or how she scratched her head lightly before gazing at the ceiling again.
She's really avoiding looking at me, he thought.
He decided not to bother her for now. He was nearly finished anyway, just reviewing his answers.
"Class," the teacher suddenly said, "I did this with my other sections as well. I'll give you two minutes to ask your seatmates questions. After that, no more. Quick questions and quick copying only." She chuckled.
"But no noise," she reminded them. "Time is almost up anyway. I'll let you know when to stop."
"Ma'am, are you serious?" one student asked.
"Nope, not joking. I just want to be fair to every section I handle."
"Ma'am, make it five minutes!" another student joked.
She sighed. "Fine, five minutes. After that, pass your answer sheets and solution papers. And remember—if I hear any shouting, you all submit immediately."
"Yes, ma'am," the class chorused.
The room stayed quiet. The teacher set a timer.
"Starts now. Be quiet, and use the timer as your guide. Go."
Some students immediately went to their friends, including Joel and Dennis. Melissa and Nicole giggled softly while comparing notes.
"Hey," Cielo called out to Julie.
She turned to him, surprised, as he slid his answer sheet toward her.
She froze.
"Go on, before the five minutes run out," he urged.
Julie frowned.
"I'll just compare," she whispered.
"Check your solutions too," he told her.
He watched her quietly, waiting for her to ask him something, while he also entertained questions from a few other classmates.
Julie nodded to herself.
"Did you copy or not?" he asked her.
"O-Okay now, thank you," she said softly.
Cielo quickly grabbed her answer sheet back.
"Why didn't you change some of them?" he asked, puzzled.
"I want to be honest," she replied.
He frowned slightly, then grabbed her bond paper and added solutions beside her own work. But before he could finish, the timer went off.
"Hope you all get good marks this first semi-first quarter," the teacher said. Everyone submitted their papers.
They had a one-hour break before their science exam.
"You didn't have to do that," Julie told him quietly.
He didn't answer.
The week went on with exam after exam. Soon, all that was left was to wait for the results of their grades.