Top Student

“Let’s see,” she muttered to herself and began to click and scroll through whatever was being shown on her own computer screen. After a moment she spoke without bothering to look up, “Well, Ash, it looks like you achieved a 92. Very good. I wasn’t expecting anyone to get anything over an 85, although I should have expected you and Kai to do better than that. And Kai...here we are. Oh!” she looked at him, surprise coating her face once again, “And you have a perfect score, Kai, even with such a late start. Congratulations!”

“Thanks,” Kai muttered almost bashfully and looked down at the ground before turning away. He then hurried out of the room, trying not to appear rude yet still in a rush.

“Uh, yeah, thank you, Professor McKinley,” Ash waved and hurried off after his rival. How did he get a 100% on a test that was intentionally only supposed to be worth 85? And how the hell did he finish it in less time than anyone else?

“Hey, Kai!” Ash grabbed Kai’s arm to stop him once he caught up. He apparently hadn’t ever realized just how masculine the other young man was. He could feel well-muscled arms under the hoodie Kai always wore. Probably not as brawny as Clyde the football player, but certainly no whimp. I wonder how he would look in a football uniform of his own... Ash shoved the devious thoughts aside, hoping that they wouldn't come back to haunt him later, though he had a feeling they would.

“How did you get such a high score?”

Kai yanked his arm away harshly, “I studied.” His face was blank, as if it didn’t bother him that Ash was questioning him, his eyes unknowingly squished as if suspicious.

“Some of those questions aren’t even in the next two chapters. I should know, I’ve studied ahead.”

“So have I,” Kai said it so matter-of-factly that Ash was surprised. As a result he had to catch up to Kai, who had started walking again. He grabbed Kai’s arm again, but didn’t have a reason. Instead, they stood there, gathering attention as they glared at each other in the middle of the hallway. Finally, Kai walked off, irritation showing briefly before that blank look settled across his features once again. Apparently, Ash would have to study even more if he wanted to reclaim the spot he had held since kindergarten: Top Student.

...

Artist's Corner

I know y'all have seen some of my artwork, but this is SO much better! I'd like to thank @callirai_ for this amazing digital drawing of Kaito Tanaka. Y'alls should follow @callirai_ on Insta and check some of the other artwork posted there. Absolutely Amazing!