Frienemies

Sarrain

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Kal didn't have much competition by way of academic challenges. It wasn't because her power was extreme intelligence or any contrivances such as those. She just worked hard. Day and night she studied music or school work.

She'd lived her entire life on this island. She knew college was free and accessible to everyone, but that was no reason to be lazy to Kealani. She wanted a great resume when she got out of school. She wanted to prove her work ethic was nothing to scoff at. She had dreams, and she was going to fulfill them, even at the expense of having a social life.

All that said, Kal did like to set goals and mini-competitions in her head for herself to keep her sharp. In this particular class, that competition was a boy named Eli.

He sat not two rows from her, and his scores were nothing to scoff at. She'd never even really talked to him; she didn't need to because she wasn't one to goad or trash talk. She stared plenty though. Lost in her head. Sometimes wondering where she'd gone wrong. Sometimes wondering where he'd gone wrong.

 

Schrodinger's Cat

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Being a private study session, Most of the other students were just sitting around, gossiping over the Sexuality or Dating status of people in different classes. Eli, however, didn't really have anyone to talk to, so instead, he spent his time working through the textbooks. He didn't mind, however. A good education seemed a fair tradeoff.

It displayed itself in his work, with high marks only on par with another Girl in his class. Kale? He thought her name was. It was another spidergirl, like the one he met in the forest, but far more talkative. Not that they never really spoke to each other, but often Eli found her staring at him. Why could that be?

He was hunched over at his desk to solve the problems, but after answering a few, he reached up, stretching. Was she staring again? He looked over at her to check.
 

Sarrain

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It was a telltale sign that she had been staring when Kal suddenly looked at her desk as Eli's head swiveled around to stare at her. She cursed inwardly at how creepy she must have seemed.

She could barely focus on her work now, and she was struggling not to tap her pencil furiously against her desk. After much mental deliberation, Kal stood and gathered her things to change seats, so she sat directly beside him.

She mentally steeled herself. "Hey," she said after perhaps too long a pause. "I'm Kealani Morncer. Kal, if you'd like to call me. I guess you noticed I've been looking at you, huh?"

She had to word that one carefully. Watching you seemed way more stalkery than she wanted to calm off.

 

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So she was staring again! Why? It was a little bit creepy. Was there something on his face, or some aura that she was able to see? Either way, it would be better to tell him.

Refocusing on his work, Eli got a bit more done when He noticed someone sit next to him.That's odd, He thought. The guy that usually sits next to me is sick today. Looking up slightly, he noticed it was the Spidergirl. Why? Did she want to say something? Should he say something?

He was having this internal argument when the Spidergirl introduced herself. Kealani, or Kal. At least he got most of her name right. "Y-Yeah, I guess I have."
 

Sarrain

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"Right," Kal's cheeks heated up, and she sighed, rubbing the back of her neck awkwardly. "You've got the best scores of the class next to me. I guess I kind of — well, it's embarrassing, but I've been competing with you because it helps me stay in tip-top academic shape."

 

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Eli Pelham
So he was the guy to beat for good scores? Well, that was kinda neat. "Uh, Thanks?"

It was probably awkward for both of them, as Eli's cheeks reddened as well. Admittedly, he hadn't expected this. "So, um, do you want to compare notes on the homework?"

It wasn't like he had much else to interest her with, and besides, he could use a second opinion on some of the questions.Maybe I can even improve my own scores too? He thought.

He pulled out the tattered pages from his bag. Eli didn't have a folder to put them in yet, so they were a little damaged. "I'm unsure about Question 5, what did you do for it?"
 

Sarrain

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Kal blinked at the state of Eli's notes. Then she winced. "S-Sure." When she took out her notes, they were bound in a folder and separated by tags and marked in different colored markers for varying levels of relevant information.

Part of Kal wanted to show Eli how to properly take notes and give him a damn folder to organize himself, another, more competitive part wondered if he was organized would he surpass her? If he was doing this well with his current level of chaos.

She pulled a free binder out of her back and handed it to him. "Here, for your notes. Um, have you ever considered color coding them?" She asked before getting her own out and looking at the practice question that Eli was asking her about.

She showed him the steps she'd taken for it.

 

Schrodinger's Cat

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Eli Pelham
Her note's were much better prepared than his, and it made so much more sense than what he did. "Woah, how did you learn to do it in this way?" He flicked through a few pages. The important stuff was highlighted differently to the rest, displaying it as the most relevant, and each section was seperated. How would he even begin in this fashion?

Eli took the Binder from her and put his notes into it. Hopefully, they won't get damaged so quickly. "I've never considered it, but I can try if it makes it easier." He might have to rewrite some pages, but in the end, it would take less time finding the appropriate information.

Watching the steps she followed, one could hear the ding in his head. "Oh! That makes sense, I've been doing it in the wrong order. Thanks, Kal."
 

Sarrain

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Kal wasn't sure how to answer his question. "I suppose I always knew? It was just the easiest way for me to keep track of things, so I got myself in the habit early, is all." She paused a second. "I was homeschooled for a bit because I aged so fast."

Kal didn't want to admit that sitting and studying with someone was kind of fun. She was so used to being alone that being around someone was surreal to her.

She grinned a little when Eli realized how to do the problem. Kal considered something. "So, it's a little silly, but would you like to be my academic rival? I don't mean childish bullying or anything stupid; it's just nice to have someone to compete with so we could both.... I don't know, do better?"

 

Schrodinger's Cat

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Eli Pelham
She always knew? Eli nodded. I guess some things just come naturally to some people. Just how fast is fast, though? Is Kal going to come to class as an old lady one day?

As short as their interaction was, Eli kind of liked her presence. She was smart and was helping him with his own work, even if it was in the end just for her own gain. Kal didn't even need to finish her sentence before he accepted.

"Sure," Was his answer, though it was said a little too fast to be considered natural. Correcting himself, Eli added. "If it can improve our scores, I mean. Who wouldn't want that? These do define our futures after all."
 
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