In a middle school, there are two students who are best friends. They're very close, friendly, and loyal to each other. They always share things and moments together. They also promised to maintain their friendship forever. They are Lucy and Zach. But, do you know? At first, they weren't friends. They used to be just rivals (or even enemies!) of the same class. They weren't as close as they're now. So how could they be friends with each other? Was it a miracle or something? Okay, so let's find out!
One day, it was the first day of middle school. All the students were present for the welcoming ceremony. Likewise with Lucy Campbell, the girl with glasses. She was one of the students who had just registered as a first grader at the middle school. She also participated in the ceremony with her prospective classmates in the school yard. Then all students carried out the ceremony in an orderly manner until it's finished.
After the ceremony was finished, the students interacted with each other. They got acquainted and started their conversation, then they became new friends. But not with Lucy, she's an introvert. It was difficult for her to make new friends. So she just paid attention to the people around her and didn't talk much. Bored, Lucy then took out one of the books from her backpack and then she walked away from the crowd of students. She walked while reading a book and didn't really care with her surroundings. Then she accidentally bumped into a guy who was looking at the posters on the wall.
"Oh no, I'm sorry, I'm sorry!" Lucy said apologetically.
"Hey, what the hell are you doing? Can't you see that I'm here?!" The guy said a little snarled.
"It was an accident. I was reading this and accidentally bumped into you. I'm really sorry," Lucy apologized once again.
"What? Oh, well... You shouldn't read while walking. You have to look at what's around you. Next time, don't do that again." He advised Lucy and then left her immediately.
The guy was tall and a bit chubby, that's Zach Williams. Zach is also an introvert. He was always alone and didn't talk much. Unless someone else acts first, then he responds. But sometimes he can also initiate conversations with other people at certain times.
When the bell rang, all the students entered their classrooms. Lucy was a bit surprised because the guy she had met was in the same class as her. Zach's seat was not far from her seat. She saw Zach was reading a comic book. Lucy wanted to talk to him, but didn't want to disturb him. So Lucy just silently waited for the teacher to enter the class.
Not long after, a teacher came and introduced himself. His name was Mr. Wilson. He was a math teacher and homeroom teacher for that class. After introducing himself, he wrote two math problems on the blackboard and asked students to come forward and answer them.
"Okay students, which one of you can solve this math problem? Please raise your hand!" said Mr. Wilson pointing to the blackboard.
Then, coincidentally, Lucy and Zach raised their hands at the same time. But Mr. Wilson chose Zach to answer question number one. Then he came forward and wrote his answer on the blackboard. Lucy felt a little annoyed, why did he choose that guy instead of me? thought Lucy. Zach wrote his answer simply. Mr. Wilson checked and found the answer was correct.
"Well, that's right! What's your name?" Mr. Wilson asked his name.
"Zach Williams," he said.
"Good job, Zach Williams! You're so smart you can answer that quickly. How do you know that?"
"Thank you, sir. This is very easy. We only need to multiply the number first, then add another number. I always take private lessons at home, so I've learned that," Zach explained.
"Great, now go back to your seat."
Oh, so his name is Zach? Is he taking private lessons? But why did he just write down the gist of the answer without a way to solve it? Lucy wondered in her mind. She watched Zach suspiciously. In Lucy's opinion, Zach also needs to write his way to solve it on the blackboard, not just explained it verbally. So that other students would understand it better.
"Okay, and for number two, let me pick one of you. Hmm... how about you, glasses girl?" Mr. Wilson pointed to Lucy. "Please come forward."
Then Lucy came forward and started writing her answers on the blackboard. Zach also noticed it and thought that Lucy might not be able to answer it because he thought he was smarter than her. Lucy thought first, then answered it. She wasn't only wrote the answer, but she also wrote the way solve it in detail. And the answer was correct.
"Wow, amazing! You wrote it in detail. This is the correct way to answer it. Are you also taking private lessons?" Mr. Wilson asked her.
"No, sir. I learned it from the books I read. And in my previous school it has also been taught," Lucy explained.
"It's awesome! And what's your name?" Mr. Wilson asked.
"Lucy Campbell"
"Great, Lucy Campbell! You're very smart. Now go back to your seat," said Mr. Wilson complimented her.
Zach was surprised and couldn't believe it. What the heck? She didn't even take private lessons. But how could she... Ah, no! Maybe she took private lessons but she lied to Mr. Wilson to make her look smarter than me, Zach thought. He did take private lessons at home. It was quite expensive, but Zach's parents could afford it. But he was still suspicious of Lucy. He thought maybe Lucy was taking better private lessons.
A few hours later, the recess bell rang. The students left their classrooms for a break. Some of them went to the canteen for lunch, some went to the school yard to play, and some went to the library to read books. Lucy and Zach were still in the classroom. Zach who was curious then asked something to Lucy.
"Hey, you! Umm, you're Lucy, right? I wanna ask you something," said Zach.
"Yeah, I am. What do you wanna ask?"
"How did you solve that math problem and wrote the way in detail? You must be taking private lessons too, right? And did you also lie to the teacher that you never took private lessons?" Zach asked suspiciously.
"Of course not. I've only ever learned it from books, so I know that," said Lucy.
"Hey, don't lie. Admit it, you said that so you could look smarter than me, right?" Zach asked.
"What? Why do you think like that? I'm not lying! Private lessons are very expensive. My family can't even afford it," Lucy explained somewhat offended.
Lucy came from an ordinary family. Her dad worked as a baker at Campbell's bakery (the family-owned bakery). Her mom was a housewife, but sometimes also helped Lucy's dad to work in their bakery. Lucy has two younger siblings who are already in school. So her parents could only pay for her and her younger siblings' school fees. Moreover, Lucy is a naturally intelligent girl with a fairly high IQ, so she could learn things easily. Meanwhile, Zach came from a rich family. But his intelligence was average. So Zach's parents enrolled their son in private lessons.
"Okay, okay, I believe you're not lying. But I could be smarter than you because I took the best private lessons, you know," said Zach.
"You know what? People who think they're smarter are actually stupid. Hahaha," Lucy laughed.
"Huh? You think I'm stupid? You're the stupid one. Don't you have a mirror?" Zach insulted her.
"Whatever. I'd rather go to eat my lunch than waste my time with this freak." Lucy took her lunch box and left the classroom.
Zach got annoyed. Tch, she thinks she's smarter? Just watch out, I won't lose to that lousy girl, Zach grumbled in his mind. And he had discovered that Lucy was his rival in that class.
To be continued...