The end of term exam was approaching. Chantel was not worried about the exam because she was already prepared. Adiepena and Cynthia however had been busily studying their heads off. They were all bright girls, but they were not like Chantel who could easily grasp everything she had been taught within the day and have it stuck in her brain for a long time. Yes, that's how bright she is.
Soon, they were in the examination hall, writing their exams. Chantel just smiled at the paper when she saw the questions. As soon as they were asked to start their work, she just picked her pen and began to write like she was in no hurry. People were already sweating behind the paper, while others were whispering amongst themselves. Chantel just shook her head, and continued writing. They were writing a core subject, so that means they were all writing the same thing as first year students.
The paper was over in a flash just the way it began. Some of the students who could not finish due to the fact that they did not know what to write were groaning in frustration. Others who had asked for the answers had began writing quickly before the invigilator got to them and snatched the paper away from them. Chantel just handed her paper to her invigilator, and walked out of the room, beaming with smiles.
Chantel was sitting under the mango tree again, going through her book when Adiepena and Cynthia walked up to her.
"Hey girl. What you doing?" Cynthia mocked.
"Hi, I was just going through the exam we just wrote. You girls look happy. I am sure you guys are very happy about the exams, right?"
"See who is talking? She is behaving as if the exams was so difficult for her. We know that paper was way easy for you than any of us, so stop pretending," Adiepena and Cynthia sat down beside her.
"Oh come on guys. It was just an English paper. I mean, it was not that hard. I don't get why people were finding it difficult to answer the questions. Anyway, I know you guys have your electives this week, right?"
"Yes," both girls said in unison and nodded.
Chantel smiled and continued reading her book.
"Hey, I hear there is an entertainment program on the day of vacation. And I hear other schools will be coming." Cynthia said.
"Yeah. I have heard about how our school is known for hosting the best entertainment programs in this area. Other schools have been trying to compete with us, but they have not been able to."
Adiepena added.
"I can't wait to see how it turns out. I really want to attend and see how it is." Cynthia said again.
"Well, Kevin will be there so I guess I will be going too." Chantel let it slip.
"What? What did you just say?" both of them looked at her in disbelief.
"Nothing. It's nothing," Chantel quickly said and went back to reading the book she was holding in her hand.
Cynthia snatched the book from her, since she was sitting close to her.
"Cynthia, give me back my book!"
"Nope. Unless you repeat what you just said. I thought you said you never liked to attend that kind of school functions. So, why are you suddenly changing your mind."
"I know why. It's because of Kevin. Did you not hear her when she said he will be coming?" Adiepena said, making Chantel keep quiet again.
"Really? Is that the reason?" Cynthia looked at Chantel with a shocked face.
Chantel sighed and took her book back from Cynthia, who had dropped the book on her lap because of the shock she was having from what she just heard.
"Yes, he invited me. I said yes because I was curious to know how these functions work. That's all."
"How they work? Come on, it's just some sort of a party. You just go there to have fun. That's it," Cynthia stated.
"Chantel, are you very sure about this? Are you sure Kevin is the one you want to be with?" Adiepena asked.
Chantel nodded. "Of course. I know he and I haven't dated for long but, I know he is the one for me. I really care about him and I really hope things turn out better for us."
"I hope so. I really do. Because, if that boy make you shed a single tear, I will make sure to bite his tongue out," Cynthia warned, looking very serious.
"O-kay. I did not want to have that bloody imagination in my head. Seriously, you don't need to solve everything with violence. The best thing we should be doing is hoping for the best for our friend. She needs our support, not just our criticism." Adiepena advised.
"Yes I know that, it's just that I can't shake that bad feeling away. I feel like he is going to hurt her. I don't know how, but I know he will."
"Oh come on, Cynthia. I know you don't trust him. But please, don't say things like that about him. He is a good person and I know he won't hurt me. I don't know how many times I should say this."
"Okay o. I am sorry. I will not say things like that about him again. Happy now?"
Chantel just smiled. She knew it would be hard to convince her friends, especially Cynthia, to trust Kevin. But she knew she will be able to do it. She was determined to make that her goal.
Finally, it was time for the last paper, which happened to be mathematics. Most of the students were already worried and murmuring amongst themselves. Some were just having this passive looks on their faces. As if they did not care about the exams, but deep down, they were very worried.
Chantel, did not worry about it at all. She had studied a lot and was very prepared for the exam. She and her friends had studied day and night for the exam. Chantel had no problems with maths, the one who had difficulties with it was Cynthia. She never understood most of the topics and found it hard to solve them. Chantel became like her personal teacher, and began to take her through the topics they had studied, one after the other.
Chantel was actually a good teacher, because, with her help, Cynthia was able to understand most of the topics and could now solve it on her own. Before the day for the exams, Chantel decided to test her friends with a couple of maths questions. They all solved it together before they went to bed.
So, on the day of the exam, when the question paper was laid in front of Chantel, she said a short prayer. Then turned over the paper when they asked to. When she saw the questions, she smiled to herself and almost jumped for joy. The questions they had solved the night before were the ones lying before her. She turned a little and saw Adiepena and Cynthia both smiling at her. Both of them having that happy and proud looks on their faces.
The exam was over. Everybody handed over their papers and walked out. Adiepena and Cynthia caught up with Chantel and hugged her tight.
"Chantel, thank you so much. If it wasn't for you, I would never have been able to solve this question. Thank you," Cynthia hugged her again. Chantel nodded at her friend, and was happy for her. Adiepena soon joined them as they all came together in a group hug.