Next morning, Jennifer and Adrian again want to school as usual. They reached the school and noticed that students were looking like as if life had been sucked out of them. They looked listless and tired. The entire atmosphere of the school has been so heavy, all day long that Jennifer was sure she would get a hunchback from all this.
When they entered their class was the time they finally understood the reason for this. Final exams were approaching in a month. This news made Jennifer's eyeballs jump out of its socket. So soon, one year of high school was over. It felt like a month only. Jennifer had grown a year older. She had been through so much. She had grown, as an individual. Jennifer was so happy. But now she also had to double her efforts in studies. She wanted to top like she had been doing since primary school.
Jennifer began her day, highly motivated to study and score the best result possible. She wanted to be the pride of her parents, like she was, since childhood. Exams weren't a trouble for her. It was a challenge, she was sure to overcome and excel at. Sitting in class, Jennifer listened to the teacher more carefully than ever.
Class ended and Jennifer was getting ready to go to the gym. They had their physical education class. Darius approached Jennifer. "Hi." He greeted her. Jennifer smiled while collecting her books. "I wanted to ask for a favour." Darius was hesitant. "Say it. I'll be more than happy to help." Darius had become like a best friend of Jennifer. After Winston and Abby, she used to hang out with either him or Adrian and James.
"I was hoping you could help me with the upcoming exams. I mean, I am not very good at studies." Darius's body language made Jennifer chuckle lightly. He was fiddling with his fingers, staring at the floor and rocking back and forth like a rocking chair. "Darius, that is not how you ask for a favour from a friend. You say with confidence." Jennifer held him from his shoulders to make him stop moving. Darius couldn't be more shocked. A rich kid called him a friend. Him. It touched him deeply. He was so grateful to Jennifer that he couldn't even form words. He hummed.
Jennifer laughed and said, "Of course. I would help you. We shall study together from now on. At my place. Starting from today evening. 5pm. Promise. See you later." Jennifer ran to her next class. Adrian noticed Jennifer and Darius talking and laughing. He could see that Darius was getting closer to her, day by day. They both were becoming friends. When he saw them entwining their pinkies to make a promise, he was so furious that he had to hold on to James to prevent himself from launching himself on Darius and breaking his nose, then and there.
"Exams are approaching. I am dying." Unlike Jennifer, exams were a great deal for James. He was a mediocre student. He usually had a lot of stress when exams cane into view. "I'll help you. Like always. Don't be stressed." Adrian knew how to calm James down. He had been doing it since primary school. "We'll study together. I will also invite Jennifer." Adrian also walked away to his next class.
The day ended. Jennifer came back home with Adrian like always. Today was the last day of Adrian's stay. Her parents were to return today evening. Jennifer couldn't be more happy. She missed her parents so much. "Today is the last day of your stay. I know I should spend time with you but I am sorry. Exams are coming. I have to study." Jennifer said as she sat on the dining table, eating food. "Its okay. Focus on your study." Adrian said and went inside his room. He was planning on inviting Jennifer to go clubbing with him tonight, as it was his last night at her house but Jennifer seemed too focused on studying.
Darius texted Jennifer that he would be reaching her house in five minutes. Jennifer made her way and called Adrian who was watching television, "Adrian, Darius is coming to study. Would you like to join us?" Adrian hummed without sparing a glance at her. He was sad about Jennifer not going to club with him but staying home and studying with Darius. His cold response went unnoticed by Jennifer. Soon, the bell rang and Jennifer excitedly ran towards the door.
"Why is she so excited? It's Darius only." Adrian asked himself. Jennifer quickly hugged Darius as the door opened. He also smiled widely and hugged her back more tightly. "Come on." Jennifer motioned him in. As soon as Adrian came into view, Darius felt awkward. Their past did not let them be exactly comfortable with each other. "Oh. I forgot to tell you, Adrian will also be joining us." Darius shook hands with Adrian and Adrian just nodded with a straight face. Jennifer understood this well. Adrian was cold to everyone, except James and her. She knew Adrian was going to be cold this evening but she had planned this, hoping he would open up, at least to some extent.
Soon, all of them were bored from studying and decided to take a break. They sat on the couch, watching the movie which was picked by Jennifer. Jennifer wanted to sit with Adrian but got pulled by Darius. "Sit here." His said and she just smiled and sat there while Adrian gave a death glare to Darius that went unnoticed by both of them. While watching the movie, Jennifer and Darius were bickering and teasing each other and that gave Adrian uneasy feelings. Jennifer and Darius were literally cuddling each other.