She had thought a lot about of next steps after the academy, and in the end decided to make the most of it, knowing that the academy had been able to give her a boost in the right direction. She had the grades and credentials to match those same applicants, so she shouldn't shy away from applying.
It would be a huge hit to the bank, but she was going to try her best to receive a merit scholarship to her best ability which was definitely attainable if she tried her best and gave it her all. It was a tough time for most of the students at this time since the testing phase was near due to the fact that it was right before the carnival.
She had a lot of textbooks and study plans online to help her get through with the optimal time and effort but behind the scenes, she truly did put in enough effort that would make anyone faint from the amount of dedication she had put towards it. It was something that she had disciplined herself to do from a young age, but it wasn't easy at that.
There were many times when she would rather take a break and scroll through her phone to look at pretty items and online shop rather than study, but it was also a time for her to shut off herself from the rest of the world while she got lost in the material that was put before her and the audiobooks leading her through the tough material.
Alice was sure that Noah had to do the same despite having it somewhat easier with that brilliant mind of his that could remember information in one go. She couldn't let herself slip since she had already made it this far, so she wanted to end it with a high note where she could say that she was proud of all the work she had put into it. Because at the end of the day, hard work does pay off.
Noah unwrapped his sandwich mirroring hers and watched as she wiggled her legs. "Are you that excited to eat a burger?"
"To eat in general," she smiled as she took another bite. "It's one of the little things in life I tend to enjoy to the fullest if possible."
"A major foodie."
"I guess so. I just love to eat delicious food in general," she laughed.
"That's fair."
She chewed slowly and swallowed. Alice wasn't looking forward to the dating show host and wanted to get Noah's full thoughts on it since he didn't even seem to be on board but did so to spite her. She might as well call him out on it right now. "What are your thoughts on the dating show host we need to do next week?"
Noah shrugged. "I think it would be fine. We just have to sit there and answer questions. It can't be that hard."
"If you put it that way," she responded since she didn't want to randomly put out the fact that she had never been in a romantic relationship, so she wouldn't have much leverage on that kind of information despite her giving good advice to many. Talking about relationships was one thing, but actually being in one was another.
She didn't know anyone who was in the radio show talk workers, but she was sure that it was going to go fine. "Be honest though, you didn't want to do it either."
Noah smirked. "Well, if you didn't want to do it, it meant that I had to."
Alice rolled her eyes. "So much for staying civil."
"We really can't be."
She paused. "Because you keep on initiating it."
"That's all on you."
"I don't."
He lifted an eyebrow at her and changed the topic anyways. "What do you plan to do when you get home?"
"Hm, I wasn't going to do anything interesting but only study. How about you?"
"Maybe watch a bit of TV."
"I see. Like what?"
"I like watching black and white movies."
"Really? I didn't see that for you."
"They're calming since I'm the only one in the house at the time."
Alice nodded. "I'm sure they are. I wished that I could watch TV in the background when I study, but I get distracted."
"So you work in silence?"
"It's best for me to do so," she said while she folded her empty wrapper and placed it down on the tray, and gathered the rest of the trash to put on the tray.
Noah stood up and grabbed the tray before she could and took it over to the trash can in the corner, and Alice reached into her briefcase to grab her hand sanitizer bottle to get rid of the greasiness of her hands before leaning over to place a dollop in Noah's hands too when he came back.
She rubbed her hands together and got out of the booth when her phone buzzed. Slipping her phone out of her pocket, she went to her messenger app and looked at the text message that Claudia sent her.
Claudia: Where are you? I swung by your house, and no one is home. Are you still at the convenience store?
Alice: Coming home right now. Went to get a bite to eat.
Claudia: Alone?
Alice: With Noah.
Claudia: What?!
With a snort, she slipped her phone back into her pocket and looked up at Noah before hitching a thumb over her shoulder. "Ready to go?"
He glanced at his watch. "Yes. Sorry for getting you home late."
"It's fine," she answered while inclining her head to the worker that passed by them to clean their table. "My parents don't mind at all. If you can, you could be a part-timer at the convenience store if you have so much free time."
"I might have to take you up on that offer."
She turned back to him as they crossed through the glass sliding doors since she had obviously made a joke but didn't mean for him to take it seriously. "Wait, actually."
Noah took out his phone and waited expectantly for hers. She blinked slowly at him processing the information before her and took out her cell as well and gave it to him as he scanned her QR code needed to exchange contact information efficiently. Alice didn't want to see him often or get close to him at all, but here was bulldozing all of her plans.
He smirked. "I'll be sure to be in touch."