Chapter 5 - Cheating

It happened on a normal school day, just 2 weeks before the March holidays. The classroom was dead silent. The teacher was walking around. For once, the class felt so serene and peaceful. It was total silence, except for the sound of the pens and the teacher's footsteps. Not a single voice could be heard.

It was our first common test.

--

The common test was announced a week before by our teachers. It was late February and I have already got to know the entire class, some a little more than others.

Being average students in an average school streamed in an average class, you could guess our reaction was not-so-enthusiastic about the news and some were unwilling to sit for the test. Of course, we had no power to push back or abolish the test, thus we took it, like it or not.

Some studied for the test but most did not. I was one who certainly studied. After all, my aim is to stream out of that godforsaken class.

I was the first in my family to step foot in the Normal(Academic) stream. All my other cousins ( 23 older cousins or something around that number ) went to either Express or Special. To make matters worse ( for me ), almost half of that went to an " Elite " school. I had cousins who went to RI and RV. Being in a neighborhood school, naturally, I was looked down upon ( Although they don't say it but I know from their feelings and reactions when I had to tell them eventually. Next time I'm going to sit away from the reunion table.)

The maths test was a breeze for me. I could not understand how could anybody fail a maths test. Maths, for me, is all about practice. It's one of the easiest subjects to score, seeing how other schools score A's in Maths like it's a giveaway.

I was getting ready to hand in my paper. The teacher said we had 5 minutes more. I checked through for any careless mistakes.

" Stop writing. " The teacher said.

As she collected the student's test from row to row, I felt something kicked me at the back of my chair. It was the person sitting behind me; It was Lexi.

" Hey, what's your answer for question 7? " he whispered.

( Great! Excellent! This shit again. ) - I thought.

I was caught cheating back when I was primary school in an exam. It happened because the girl sitting next to me sucked at Maths. I did not know exactly why I helped her but I was caught in the process. 2 years later, the same shit happens. Coincidence, much?

This time, however, I kept silent and continued staring at blank space in front. Lexi kept kicking my chair. Each kick got more violent. I could tell he was getting desperate.

Luckily, the teacher had collected his paper before he does something else to me. It was then that it was safe to look back. Other classmates were already chit-chatting when their paper was collected.

" Fuck you. " He said.

Great! I don't help - I get hated. I help - I get caught.
Why must my life be so sad? Why do I always seem to get caught in situations like this ?

--

A week later, we got back our tests. I scored a near perfect 85%. It was not easy surviving that 1 week after the test. I was often targeted by him along with his " gang " -- Golden, Lexi, Fang, Fin and LeiJit. ( There may be more but I've forgotten the rest. )


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Chapter 5 end.

Author's note :
We all know that I pulled through and posting my story with no actual or permanent harm done.
Although I was the target of their malice, I've now become great friends with some of them. Others - not so. You could say that each one of my tormentors got their Just Desserts.

Anyway, I hope you will continue supporting my story.

Don't go MSN-ing/FB-ing/SMS-ing or whatever-ing me " HEY WHOSE XXXXXX ON UR STORY? IS IT ME? OMFG I ALREADY SAID IM SORRY OKAY? " or " HEY WHOSE XXXXXXXX ISSIT XXXXX? I THINK I KNOW THAT GUY. " or " CAN U PLS CHANGE MY NAME ON UR STORY TO SOMETHING ELSE? I DUN LIKE THE NAME U GAVE ME. "

Stuffs like " Hey, nice story. " or " I enjoyed reading your story. " are accepted.