The cold morning air feels refreshing. The morning sun warm my body which is covered with a thick crombie type of coat. This coat feels amazingly warm. I'm a bit grateful for deciding to use it because I could feel that my two poor bare hands are actually cold as ice. However, when I look in the mirror at home, if I didn't wear a school skirt, I would see myself as an adult woman going to work on a cold morning because my coat is covering my uniform. Ah, maybe my tote bag which only contains needed stationery and a few notebooks will give off the impression of a high school girl, would it?

Stepping on both feet on the residential street that leads to the nearest bus stop, I could feel the calming silence of the morning, but it was suddenly disrupted by the sound of dogs barking. Without a bicycle, this is my only way if I don't want to be late for school. I already checked the bus schedule. I take out my cell phone and look at the clock, now it shows 6:45. The bus arrives at 6:55 AM and leaves at 7:05 AM. After looking at the clock, I hastened my steps a little. It wasn't too far, but it would be bad if the bus I'm looking for is long gone.

After arriving at the bus stop, I buy the ticket and rushed to get on the bus that almost leaves the station. Thankfully I rushed earlier, I might have to walk and be scolded by the teacher at school later. I took a seat on the right side so that I would not be too exposed to the scorching glare of the morning sun. I open my bag and draw out a math notebook and start reading it. Why am I reading? Because today is the first day of the Mid-term Exams.

…

"Morning".

"Good morning".

Too bad it wasn't a conversation I have with my friends. In front of the school gate, many students exchange greetings with other students, even with the teachers on duty and the security guard.

I'm a little jealous. Though, that's fine too, right? I managed to get some friends. I also want to be greeted in the morning. Well, maybe they're already in class, I'll greet them later on.

As usual, the front stairs are packed with students trying to get up to the second floor where their class and mine are. I keep wondering why they didn't choose the quieter inner staircase, the distance of the stairs and the class may have influenced it, but I couldn't tell the difference between getting stuck on the stairs and taking the longer path, which one is slower. Giving my gaze ahead, I direct my footsteps towards the stairs that are roomy. While remembering a little about the mathematical formula that is likely to appear in the exam this time.

If y = mx + c, I can substitute 2x + 5y - 4 = 0. Move the numbers around, counting there and counting here. and the result is…

“… Negative two-fifths”.

"What's up with it?".

"Woah!" I exclaimed in surprise. The voice of an excited girl in the morning sounded close beside me. I turn my head and it was Farya. I look back there were Rifa and Saena who are waving their hands towards me.

“You startled me…” I said while letting go of all the shock in my heart.

"Hehe, good morning, Hana" Farya greeted me.

I, who heard the soft greeting, felt a little happy and relieved in my heart. Answering Farya's greeting, I said “Yes, good morning, Farya”. I looked back. "Good morning too, Rifa, Saena" I greeted in a gentle tone.

"Morning" Sapa Rifa replied.

“Morning” Saena answered with a wave.

After greeting each other, we walk up the stairs to class. While walking, we all talk and joke around with each other.

A tap can be felt on my right shoulder. "Han, Hana. Did you know? Saena was chased by a dog when she was leaving school, haha!” Said Rifa.

"AH, DON'T TELL HANA!" Saena replied.

“Ahaha, I saw that too” Farya followed. “When the three of us were going to our usual place to start walking together to school, I saw Saena being chased by a dog, maybe a Rottweiler? Or the Cane Corso kind?” She continued.

"That was a Rottweiler. Identical to the brown fur on the chest and legs " Rifa explained.

Wow, Rifa knows about the characteristics of dogs. I wonder if she has her own dog at home? Next time I will ask about it.

“Ugh. Straight out of luck. I was just petting his head, though. Suddenly he pushed himself towards me. The owner released his harness from carelessness. I end up being chased too. The drool in his mouth disgusts me” Saena said.

"Oh, so it was the owner running behind, huh?" Said Rifa

"Ahahaha" I let go of laughter together with them except Saena.

"Oh yeah, what was the 'negative two-fifths' earlier, Hana?" Ask Farya.

"Hah? Oh. It's nothing, I'm just calculating random numbers in my brain. Since today is the schedule for the math test" I explained.

As if it has been doused by a very painful reality. Farya makes a really sour face. Ah, have I done something wrong, again? Farya makes a look on her face like really doesn't like it after I mention the words 'Mathematics' and 'Today's exam schedule'. The way she walk became abnormal.

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Out of curiosity, I try saying those words again. "Today's exam schedule Mathematics an-".

“Stoooppp! I don't want to hear any more” Farya exclaimed while crouching down and folding her arms over her head in a protective pose.

The three of us stopped while looking at Farya's cute pose. “Ahaha. When it comes to exams and math, Farya is helpless" said Rifa. “But, you are a very diligent one, Hana. Walk while studying like that. Such a model student" She continued.

“We-well, I just wanted to put in a bit of effort. You guys have studied too, right?” Me answering with a questing at the end.

"Well yeah, a little" Saena answered briefly. Looks like she's still sullen with Rifa who picks up her embarrassing moments.

"I had. I don't know about Farya, though” Rifa answered while mocking Farya at the same time.

Farya, who hears Rifa's mocking, looks curter than before. She's looking down even more and feels really lethargic. "D-damn you, diligent nerds. I'll curse you and make your grades below average. Cries upon my wrath!” said Farya in a tone like a Demon King who lacked education.

“Ahaha…” Our laughter saw Farya's pitiful action that cursed us while lying on the floor.

We continue on our way to the class. Actually, it's almost time for the first schedule, but we still walk on casually because other activities that usually start out at the start of school, are removed on exam day. While chatting and others. The four of us were almost at the front of the classroom. Farya's rambling about how she couldn't focus on studying is also almost over.

“… And in conclusion, it's Chika's fault because she keeps taking me around the city. Even during the fireworks festival last week" Said Farya.

“Ah, last week's festival. You did come, didn't you?" I asked Farya.

"I did come. In fact, everyone is there except for you” Farya answered while pointing at the two people behind me. "Two weeks ago I asked you if you had some free time for the festival, and you said no. So yeah, only you are left behind" She continued.

Ah, so that was is it, huh?

The reason I refused invitations from my friends was because I wanted Arkan to invite me instead. It's embarrassing and I can't tell them. However, I was grateful because at that time I received an invitation from Arkan. I can share stories with Arkan about my past, which I can't tell them for now. And I'm very happy about that whole sharing thing. Though, he didn't really share his part.

“Ahaha, sorry, okay? I have business at that time” I answered briefly. I can't say what 'business' I meant.

I return my gaze to the front. With Farya beside me and Rifa and Saena who are chatting together behind us. I see a silhouette of a person I knew from the direction of the front stairs. Is that… Arkan?

With this distance and speed, we might meet in front of the back door together, that is if he's going to enter the class through the back door and he most likely won't.

With thoughts like that in my head, I speed up my walking, leaving my friends who are walking at normal speed. Not to enter through the back door and win the 'Who Gets In The Class Fastest' competition. Wait, is there ever really one? Anyway, not for anything, but just for…

{First Schedule Has Started}

{First Schedule Has Started}

Arkan's silhouette became clearer and bigger the closer I get. Until I'm right in front of someone I'm walking towards to. As usual, Arkan wears a school uniform like the others, with his khaki brown colored messenger backpack strapped around his body. Arkan looked at me with a look of surprise and confusion on his face. That's right, come to think of it I'm not the class treasurer who would go after students who miss paying their part. I'm just a friend of Arkan.

With both of us facing each other, I said, "Good morning, Arkan" in a gentle tone.

Arkan, who was previously surprised, sighed and the look of his confused face disappeared. "Yes, good morning too, Hana" He replied in the same gentle tone as me.

After getting what I wanted, I turn around, smiled and immediately leave Arkan, walking towards the back door where my friends were. I see the confused look on the faces of my friends.

"Hey, what were you doing, Hana? You looked happy” Farya asked.

"It's nothing" I answered vaguely and immediately entered the classroom through the back entrance door.

"Ah, it looks like Arkan" Rifa said while covering his forehead with his hand in a respectful pose like trying to give her vision more clear landscapes.

I ignored their questions and continue to sit on my chair. I see Arkan enter the classroom through the front door and walk toward his seat. Chika also turns out to have arrived in the classroom before us and is waving her hand at me. I waved back.

Chika is visited by Farya who seems to want to ask something. They are chatting, though I couldn't really hear because of the noise of the class. There are those who chat like Chika and Farya, some are looking at their notebooks, some are writing in their textbooks, and some ar-

"HAH?!" Shouted a girl in front of me.

I, who was looking around the classroom, is shocked, as well as the other students. They go silent and look at Farya and Chika's positions. Because the sound of chatter between Chika and Farya starts to rise and the class is silent in shock, I can hear what they were talking about. “What do you mean you have studied?!” Farya asked Chika in a high tone.

"Hah? Of course, I studied. There's literally an exam in front of us” Chika answered briefly.

"And I'm here thinking I've found my life buddy..." Farya said wearily.

"Besides, why aren't you studying if you're only going to complain at the end?" Chika answered in a high tone.

“Ugh… Damn you, diligent nerds…”.

Before long, our first exam supervisor comes inside the classroom. It turns out that it's our actual supervising teacher, Ms. Lily.

Ms. Lily enters the class and walks towards the teacher's desk which is in front. She sits down and seems to write something in the class diary.

"Okay kids, you will be under my watch today. I am indeed your supervisor but too bad I will not give you any leniency. Use your own strength. If anyone is caught cheating, the answer will be crossed out and they have to repeat the exam" said Ms. Lily as if she was giving a speech in front of the class.

Complaints can be heard from the class students. But I'm sure it's just a joke and there's no way they'd think a teacher would give them waivers on semester exams.

“Alright, put in your notebooks and take out your writing tools. I will start giving the question and answer papers” Ms. Lily ordered while tidying up a pile of papers and tapping the bottom of the pile on the table.

Everyone simultaneously did as they were told. I'm no exception. With this, the midterm exams finally begin.

…

First day. Running smoothly. There are some questions that are a bit difficult, especially math, but my grade should be safe.

…

The second day. It's a bit difficult because I don't like Biology. However, it shouldn't be that bad.

…

The third day. Running smoothly. I have no problem with today's schedule. However, it seemed the others didn't, especially Farya… Well, physics can be a little tricky.

…

Fourth day to sixth day isn't anything too special. Some are difficult, some are easy. There are highs and lows. Even though in the end, I'm still confident in my studies and would at least get a top ten if I'm lucky.

“It's finished…” Said one of my seat neighbors.

Yes, it's finally done.