Tuesday Winter Quarter 2016 Week 8
“I forgot Tess is busy this entire week. What does that mean for us?” Felicity panicked, grabbing me.
“Calm down. I’m more worried about my math midterm,” I stated, staring at my phone.
“Yuki, you don’t understand. Tess always helped me when it comes to tests like this. Without her, I’m failing for sure!” Felicity lamented, her eyes tearing up.
Was this a ploy in gaining my sympathy? Sighing, I continued walking toward the student lounge. With Tess busy, it meant one less resource. However, Yukie was available, and if necessary, Zhuyu too. He should really be my first option. But, I trusted Yukie more than him.
“That’s right!” Felicity shouted, her face filled with happiness.
Students nearby glanced at her with confusion at her outburst. Felicity beamed, humming a little tune, no sign of her sadness from before.
“Yuki, we ask an upperclassman,” Felicity revealed.
“Who?” I blinked.
“Duh, you know him too, silly girl,” Felicity replied.
“The only person I know…. you don’t mean Shan, right?” I paused at the student lounge entrance.
“Of course! Shigetzu knows chemistry super well,” Felicity said with confidence.
Was she that desperate? Shan would force us through hurdles before actually helping out.
“Felicity, you sure?” I questioned.
“I’m sure,” Felicity nodded.
I remained silent. If Felicity thought so, I might as well grant her that fantasy. I spotted Shan, along with Kristoph, at the usual table. Kristoph pointed at his screen and Shan nodded. Zhuyu and Jacque were not present. I swore they rotated everyday, though in reality, it was just their classes.
“Shigetzu, I have a favor,” Felicity asked him.
“What is it, Felicity?” he responded, looking away from Kristoph’s screen.
“Our chemistry midterm is on Thursday. Could you help us study?” Felicity requested.
“I’m busy later today, but if you have any questions now, I can try to help,” Shan agreed, no mischievousness or sarcasm in his voice.
You’re just going to help Felicity just like that? Something was going on here. He knew Felicity longer, so perhaps that was it. Let’s see if Shan showed true sincerity.
“Hey, I need help too! I’m in that class,” Kristoph spoke up.
“Do you even know what to ask me?” Shan said with a laugh, looking at the man.
“No,” Kristoph responded, sighing.
“Exactly,” Shan remarked.
Felicity took out her textbook, opening it up to a bookmarked page. She showed Shan the question and handed him a piece of notebook paper. I watched in silence, seeing if Shan would really give her an answer.
“Oh, this one. Just go to the back and find the value. Then use this equation, but convert the units first, or you’ll get a fat ass number that’s wrong,” Shan explained, writing out the steps.
I was actually impressed. Wait, why didn’t he help me like this? Damn you, Shan, I still remember you closing the door on me. Don’t think I’ve forgiven you for that.
“Something wrong, Tomo?” Shan asked, seeing my reaction.
“No, nothing. Just keep on helping Felicity,” I shook my head.
“You have to help me too. I can’t afford to fail this midterm! It’s for my grade, man!” Kristoph spoke once more, pulling out his notebook.
“Come on, do you really believe that?” Shan looked at Kristoph, no sympathy or compassion in his eyes.
“Yeah, no, not really. If you’re helping her, might as well do it for me,” Kristoph begged.
“I never took the class, remember? All I can do is help with the problems I know. Anything else, get the solution manual,” Shan advised.
“Man, you don’t have to take the class,” Kristoph refuted.
“Uh, you kinda do, especially for midterms. Felicity, you have anything else?” Shan disagreed with his friend’s statement.
“Yep! A whole bunch of them. I just want to make sure that I’m doing these right,” Felicity nodded, flipping to another page.
“You could ask Jin. He knows chemistry pretty well too,” Shan hinted.
“He does, but you know how he is,” Felicity said, showing him her work.
“Right. So Darryl was telling me the other day….,” Shan said, chatting with her.
Felicity finally left after an hour. My English class was canceled today. I would normally head home but there was a chemistry review. It seemed Kristoph would head to it too. I glanced up at the clock. Still two hours to kill. Kristoph left for his class, asking Shan to look after his stuff.
“Shan, what gives?” I asked, staring at the gravity manipulator.
“What do you…. sup, Jacque,” Shan replied, greeting the pessimistic man.
“Yo. Tomo, you’re still here?” Jacque asked, taking a seat.
“Yeah. The chemistry review is today,” I answered.
“Oh, good luck,” Jacque said.
“Thanks. If you have any midterms, good luck on them too,” I reciprocated.
“Yeah, just a bunch of reading. You know, the cool stuff,” Jacque sighed, taking out two books.
“You were saying, Tomo?” Shan glanced at me.
“I saw what you did there with Felicity. Why don’t you help me like that?” I questioned, waiting for his response.
“I’m pretty sure you know what you’re doing. You know how Felicity is, right? If I don’t help, she’ll start talking. I rather not listen to her talk about random things. She can go on for awhile,” Shan explained his reasoning.
“I know what you mean,” I nodded, still skeptical.
“I probably should help out Darryl’s potential girlfriend. Not that I have a responsibility,” Shan remarked.
“This is getting pretty confusing. Who does Ichaival actually like? Jen or Felicity?” I asked.
“Both? Eh, not like he’s said anything official. We’ll see how it goes. He says he’s just friends with both of them,” Shan said, unclear about the situation as well.
Jacque stared at his books, not even opening them. He stood up and walked away. I turned back and saw him conversing with other people near us. Jacque remained popular as always. Whenever he said he would do something, he always walked off, and started talking to someone. I guess it wasn’t a bad thing, meant Jacque was easy to get along with.
“Shan, are you good at math?” I asked.
“I would say above average. Long’s the person to ask for that,” Shan answered, already transferring the responsibility over to someone else.
“I figured you would say that. Is he here today?” I sighed.
“I think he’s finished with class. You try calling him yet?” Shan suggested.
“I can wait until tomorrow,” I replied.
Jacque returned and finally opened his book. He stared at the same page for two minutes and then pulled out his laptop. Shan smiled at his actions. I witnessed this pattern way too many times now.
“Reading some manga there, I see,” Shan said, peeking at Jacque’s screen.
“Nah. I just happen to have this page open. I actually need to go online and post something for the reading. It sucks too, because the professor grades each comment you make really hard,” Jacque denied, typing on his keyboard.
“That does suck. Is it a big part of your grade?” Shan asked.
“About twenty percent, so it means I gotta try. Bro, you know I’m not going to get full points already,” Jacque predicted, shaking his head.
I headed off to my chemistry review once it was time. Kristoph tagged along, asking me about how I felt. I responded with stock answers, too focused on remembering how to apply certain formulas. When it was all over, I felt pretty good about my chances of obtaining an above average score.
