Ash

Ash hadn’t ever realized that the onyx-haired musician was in any of his classes, or at least he hadn't until said musician rushed into the lecture hall that morning nearly 15 minutes late. The professor had just finished finalizing a couple obvious details about the test they were taking, such as no cheating, no getting up until the test closed, and how to access the online testing platform. “I was wondering if you would be showing up today," she almost chuckled at Kai's sudden, out-of-breath appearance, "Have a seat, Kai. The test will be open in just a moment.”

He nodded his head silently and grabbed a computer from the cart. Ash couldn’t restrain a cocked eyebrow. Does he not have his own?

Before Ash could bother to think of the question any longer, the test opened, and Ash promptly ignored everyone in the room. He managed to complete the last of the questions and hit “save” as the test closed. The room erupted into chaos as everyone rushed to get out, not even taking the time to shut their computers down. Even those that had borrowed a computer from the cart simply rushed off, creating a messy stack of the university-owned devices on top of their charging compartments.

Ash shook his head as if he were disappointed. Why should he care, though? It's not like it would affect him. After all, he had his own laptop, one that he was now waiting on as it finished shutting down before he put it away in the protective sleeve hidden in his backpack. It wasn't his job to put the computers away and he would not have reason to search through the cart for a charged laptop anytime soon. Besides, it would likely come back to bite them in the *ss later on. They weren't the only lazy ones around.

“I can open up the test to give you some more time since it wasn’t letting you log in,” Ash heard Professor McKinley say. He glanced up from zipping his backpack closed to see her talking to Kai, who was plugging his own borrowed computer into its charging port.

“That is okay. I finished the last question just before it closed.”

“Really?” Prof. McKinley looked surprised. “I can give you 15 minutes if you want. After all, the computer wouldn't let you in for awhile.”

“No thank you, ma'am. Like I said, I managed to finish everything. Besides, that would just be extra work for you.”

“Alright,” she said, disbelief still evident in her voice, “At least let me take a look at your score. You could always use that extra 15 to check your answers if need be. Oh!” she noticed Ash as he emerged from the rows of seats, “Would you like to know your score as well, Ash?”

“Um, sure,” Ash came and stood on the other side of the desk. Kai kept glancing at him, confusion the only thing that Ash could read on his otherwise unreadable, though perhaps rather handsome, face.

“Let’s see,” she muttered to herself and began to click and scroll through whatever was displayed on her own computer screen. After a moment she spoke without bothering to look up, “Well, Ash, it looks like you achieved a 91. 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!”

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

“Uh, yeah, thanks, 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 everyone 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 wimp. 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. Ash froze, not expecting that answer. By the time he snapped out of his shock, he practically had to run to catch up to Kai before the other disappeared into the crowds. He grabbed Kai's arm once more, forcefully shoving all thoughts on the other's physique out of his mind for the moment. He opened his mouth to speak, but nothing came out. Instead, he caught a glare from Kai, once more surprised by the obvious yet hidden emotions swirling in the newbie's posture.

He hadn't realized just how much attention they had garnered until Kai broke eye contact and glanced around. Ash, too, glanced at the growing crowd, though his slight distraction allowed Kai to rip out of his grasp. Kai walked away briskly, almost like he was trying not to run away. Ash decided not to put too much thought into that, though. No, he needed to focus on what was important: regaining his title. He had been Top Student since pre-school. He would not let the newbie beat him. He could not let the newbie him.

Could not, indeed.