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The mid-term test was around the corner, and Marvin had been doing very poorly in his academics, especially mathematics. He has been trying his best to read and understand but it all seemed to be flying over his head. The previous day at school his maths teacher Mr. Greg had called him and told him that his relationship with the football team was hanging in the balance. There was just one more test to come and if Marvin fails, he would be kicked out of the football team.
So that night, Marvin continued to study despite his not being able to understand, he read without remorse. But just like always everything he read proved too hard for him to understand. So he decided to seek help from the smartest guy in the class, Gery. Gery is a good friend and Marvin trusts him. So Marvin dialed his number and when Gery answered the phone, Marvin quickly filled him in about how bad he was at algebra and how Maths is not for him.
“Calculus,” Gery repeated the word as if that made any sense to him.
“GERY! What else can I do? I don't want to get kicked out of the team, or worse, expelled because I suck at math.”
“Alright, take this time to relax. When was the last time you actually took a break? It's almost Christmas. Take the weekend and go shopping or something.”
“But Gery, I need to pass!”
“Alright, here is the deal... I'll tell you how I pass my test and exams tomorrow. Just meet me at the library during lunch."
"Okay.", Marvin said as he ended the call.
That night Marvin slept peacefully knowing that his future was in safe hands.
The next day, during lunch at school, Marvin made his way to the library. Once he entered the library, he was greeted by silence and the staring eyes of the librarian and the book occupants of the library. Gery wasn't there yet so Marvin sat down at his favorite table. After ten minutes, Gery walked into the library and sat down across from him.
“Hey man, sorry I'm late I had a lot of things to do today.”
“It's fine, it's fine.”
They continued talking and laughing while waiting for Gery to finish whatever he needed to do before they could start their study session.
Once Gery got done he looked up to Marvin who was still waiting for him to explain why he couldn't take the test in the first place.
“Alright, so I have two questions. Why are you trying so hard at maths? And why didn't you take a break instead of stressing yourself over reading?” Gery explained.
“Well first, I really want to pass and if I mess up math then I'd have to leave football," Marvin replied.
"Okay then, I'll help you study but you must help me with something first".
"Okay..." Marvin replied
"I need you to help me retrieve a package from your football mate, his name is Dave.
"Sure.. what's in this package if you don't mind my asking?"
"Look Marvin you already asked me to do the impossible for you, by helping you pass your test and retain your football squad position. And the first step to that is not asking questions. So, will you do it or not"
"Okay, I'll do it", Marvin said with a huge sigh and a long pause.
Marvin arrived late for football practice that day, the team was already done with training when he arrived. The coach was very furious with him but soon let him off the hook with some serious warnings.
After Marvin's encounter with the coach, he returned to the locker room where he found Dave coming out of the shower.
"Hey, Dave. "
"Hey Marvin!!.. what's up".
"cool fam..."
" why are you late? bro, coach's not going to like it."
"I know man, we already spoke...so, I need something from you Bro"
"What ?"
"the package.."
"what package..?" Dave replied, beginning to act suspicious.
"Gery sent me. he said to collect the package".
Dave paused for a while before agreeing to give Marvin a yellow file.
"Okay. I guess it's cool. but remember what we talked about."
"Yes, yes, I got it".
With that, the two boys parted ways.
Marvin returned back to the library to meet Gery who was waiting for him. He gave Gery the file and Gery opened it and pulled out a paper that contained the exam questions.
"This is it, this is how you pass". he said handing the paper which contained the maths question to Marvin.
Marvin look shocked for a moment, but still, he collected the paper and went home for the day.
That night, Marvin decided to study for the maths test the next day, but he wasn't quite sure what to study. The paper Grey gave him which had the entire maths question in it or his class note. After much debate in his mind, he decided to study his books.
The next day, the test began as the question was shared. Marvin closed his eyes and said a small prayer before he engaged the question.
He took deep breaths and concentrated on the questions in front of him.
After what seemed like an eternity, Marvin finally finished answering his test questions. However, he hadn't studied as much as he had expected, but he managed to score a perfect grade, without any mistakes whatsoever.
Grey on the other hand suffered from the test, because he relied on the leaked question, and at the last moment, the teacher changed the question.
Ever since then, Marvin focused on balancing his academics and athletic life by working hard.
