The result of the match was a resounding victory for us.

We’d managed to overpower Donovan’s team with our well-coordinated play, but it wasn’t an easy win.

Donovan himself had shown incredible skill and determination throughout the game, proving he was a formidable player in his own right.

After the match, still buzzing with adrenaline, we decided to approach him.

“Hey, Donovan,” I called out, a friendly grin on my face as I jogged over.

My teammates followed, all of us still catching our breath.

"You were really good out there. We’d love to have you join our team for the upcoming tournament.”

Mr. George, who had been watching nearby, nodded in agreement.

“You’ve got great potential, Donovan. With your skills, you'd be a great addition to the team. What do you say?”

Donovan looked surprised at first, his eyes wide behind his sweat-drenched bangs. But then, a small smile broke across his face.

“Sure, why not?” he said, a hint of excitement in his voice. “I’d love to join you guys but I would be midfielder.”

With that, Donovan became a part of our group.

The rest of the school day passed in a blur of congratulations and friendly chatter.

When the bell finally rang to signal the end of school hours, we all went our separate ways, heading home with tired legs but happy hearts.

Time moved swiftly after that, and soon a month had passed.

Donovan had settled in quickly.

Not only was he a talented player, but he also proved to be a diligent student and soon became a close friend to all of us.

He fit into our group seamlessly, as if he had always been there.

Meanwhile, the competition between Sarah and me had eased a little.

We still challenged each other from time to time—whether it was in class, on the field, or in the little things—but it had turned into a friendly rivalry rather than a fierce contest.

Now, with summer vacation just a few days away, a new kind of excitement filled the air.

Everyone was buzzing with plans—days at the beach, hanging out with friends, or just relaxing at home.

But amid all the excitement, we all knew the other side of the coin.

“A lot of assignments and homework will be waiting for us,” Sarah said one day, her voice a mix of dread and resignation. “And then there’s the test right after we get back.”

She wasn’t wrong.

After summer break, we’d face a series of tests that would likely determine our standing for the rest of the year.

And that wasn’t all.

A few months after the tests, the sports activities would begin, and about a month after that would be the annual party—a time for everyone to celebrate, unwind, and enjoy ourselves.

And then, finally, the first-year exams that would decide if we were ready to be promoted to the second year.

It felt like the future was unfolding rapidly before us, each event leading to the next.

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One day, as we were talking about all this, we got called to the staff room.

The teachers wanted to speak with the class representatives of each class to inform us about the upcoming schedule and what was expected.

Sarah and I, both being representatives, headed to the staff room together.

As we walked, I glanced at her, and she seemed deep in thought.

“You thinking about all the work that’s coming?” I asked with a small smile.

She looked at me and nodded, but there was a glimmer of determination in her eyes.

“Yeah, but also thinking about how to stay ahead of you,” she replied, her lips curling into a playful grin.

I laughed, feeling the familiar spark of rivalry between us flaring up once more.

Sarah had this way of making even the most mundane moments feel like a challenge, and it was something I had come to appreciate, even enjoy.

“Yeah, sure, sure,” I said with a smirk, but I hesitated for a moment, my confidence faltering.

I decided to take a breath and just go for it. “Anyways, umm... could you give me your number?”

My request hung awkwardly in the air, and for a moment, Sarah just stared at me, her eyebrows slightly raised in surprise.

I could feel the heat rising to my cheeks, my nerves buzzing under her gaze.

“It’s not like that,” I stammered, suddenly feeling the need to explain myself.

“You know, in case I have any doubts or need help with studies… or something.” My voice trailed off, sounding more awkward than I’d intended.

Sarah’s lips twitched, and a mischievous smile spread across her face.

“Hahaha, sure, sure,” she chuckled, clearly amused by my flustered state.

With a teasing glint in her eyes, she handed over her number.

I tried to play it cool, but I could tell she was still amused by my awkwardness.

We continued to the staff room, where the teachers were waiting for us.

One by one, they explained the mountain of homework, assignments, and tests that awaited us after the break.

Sarah and I nodded dutifully, taking mental notes, already feeling the weight of the responsibilities piling up.

After the briefing, we returned to our class to relay the information to our classmates.

The atmosphere was a mix of groans and determination—everyone knew what was coming, and we were all bracing ourselves for it.

As the final bell rang and the school day ended, we all headed home.

The excitement in the air was palpable, but so was the looming dread of the work we’d have to tackle over the summer.

Then, finally, the summer vacation arrived.

The break was filled with a whirlwind of fun, freedom, and a touch of nostalgia.

I spent time with Mr. and Mrs. Thomas, who always had a way of making everything feel like an adventure.

We visited local parks, went to the movies, and even took a few day trips to nearby towns.

Mrs. Thomas would pack lunches, and we’d have picnics under shady trees, sharing stories and laughs.

There was a warmth in these moments—a simple joy that filled my heart.

I also made sure to spend time with my friends.

Some days, I’d invite them over to my house, and we’d play video games or just hang out in the backyard, laughing until our sides hurt.

Other days, I’d go to their places, and we’d study together, but usually it would turn into me teaching them.

Sarah was no exception.

One afternoon, I called her up to ask for help with an assignment, and before I knew it, we’d spent hours discussing not just homework, but everything under the sun.

It was easy to talk to her, even with our constant teasing and challenges.

She was sharp, quick-witted, and surprisingly supportive.

The days flew by, filled with sun-soaked memories of laughter, ice cream runs, impromptu football matches, and late-night talks under the stars.

There was a sense of carefree bliss, but it was tinged with the knowledge that it wouldn’t last forever.

And, just like that, summer vacation was over.

As I packed my bag for the first day back, I couldn’t help but feel a mix of excitement and apprehension.

The tests, the challenges, and the new memories to be made—all of it awaited.

Mr. Thomas pulled up to the school gate, the old car rumbling to a stop.

I hopped out and turned back, giving him a wave.

"Thanks for the ride, Mr. Thomas! See you later!"

He smiled warmly, a twinkle in his eye, and waved back.

“Good luck today, lad!” he called, and with a final nod, I turned and headed through the school gates.

Just beyond, I spotted my friends—Steve, Gunther, Paul, and Donovan—waiting for me, leaning casually against the low brick wall.

As soon as they saw me, their faces lit up with grins.

“Hey, you’re finally here!” Steve said, giving me a playful punch on the shoulder.

“Yeah, Mr. Thomas wouldn’t stop telling me about this old football match he watched back in the day,” I laughed. “You know how he is.”

We all chuckled, sharing a moment of camaraderie before heading off toward our class together.

There was an energy in the air—part excitement, part tension—as we walked through the familiar hallways.

The summer break felt like a distant memory now.

Back in class, things quickly fell back into the same rhythm.

The banter and challenges between me and Sarah picked up right where we’d left off, neither of us willing to let the other get ahead.

Each day was a new contest—who answered the most questions correctly, who finished the homework fastest, who came up with the most creative ideas.

The air crackled with unspoken rivalry, but also a strange kind of mutual respect.

And then, the day of the tests arrived.

I could feel the tension among my friends as we gathered outside the classroom that morning.

Steve was pacing back and forth, muttering formulas under his breath, while Donovan fidgeted with his pen.

Gunther and Paul stood nearby, trying to appear calm, but I could see the nervousness in their eyes.

“Relax, guys,” I said, trying to lighten the mood. “We’ve got this. We’ve been preparing for weeks!”

Steve glanced at me, his lips quirking into a half-smile. “Easy for you to say. You’re always so calm about these things.”

I shrugged, grinning. “Well, I'm a genius after all.”

When the bell rang, signaling the start of the test, we all filed into the classroom.

The atmosphere inside was heavy with anticipation, a quiet tension settling over us like a thick fog.

Our teacher stood at the front, a stack of test papers in hand, and began handing them out one by one.

I could feel my heart pounding in my chest, but I took a deep breath and steadied myself.

The paper landed on my desk, and I scanned the questions.

For a moment, the world seemed to narrow down to just me and the paper in front of me.

I focused, blocking out everything else.

My pencil flew across the page as I tackled each question with determination.

The room was filled with the sounds of scribbling, erasers rubbing against paper, and the occasional cough or rustle of a page.

When the first test ended, we all let out collective sighs of relief.

The moment we stepped out of the classroom, it was as if a weight had lifted, only to be replaced by the looming pressure of the next test.

One day off, then back to it again.

This cycle continued—each test followed by a day of intense preparation, burning the midnight oil, and then another test.

After each exhausting day, we’d gather at the school gates, sharing stories of the toughest questions, laughing off our mistakes, and encouraging each other for the next one.

Despite the tension, there was an unspoken bond between us, a sense that we were all in this together.

Even Sarah and I would occasionally exchange a knowing glance, silently acknowledging the shared struggle.

And just like that, the series of tests came to an end.

There was nothing more we could do now but wait for the results.

The anticipation was almost unbearable—the uncertainty of what lay ahead.