Summer break

Summer break was the most anticipated in our school, not only because it was a two-month break but also because of the student activities that would be held in the second month. The class is currently waiting for our teacher to grade our midterm exams.

"Hey, who will be first in the rankings?"

A commotion started. The rankings are one of many ways to get into the student council position. "Shouldn't it be Sherry? I mean, she got a high score in math." While I got a high math score, I wasn't the only one with a high score. "Settle down class! I'm going to hand out your test results one by one. Come up here if your name is called." As our names are called, one of the students is sweating bullets with each name being called. "Hugo." "Y-Yes!" Hugo is one of my closest friends. We have been friends since the fifth grade. He and I, along with the rest of my closest friends, made a promise to graduate and get our dream jobs in 6th grade. However, I'm worried about him because of his grades.

"Hugo, I want you to start taking math seriously. I've tried to increase your grade, but this is the best I can do." Mr. Benson let out a big sigh. Yes, sir... I'll try harder. " He let out an awkward laugh, hiding his emotions. Since 7th grade, his grades have been getting lower and lower. "Maybe I should tutor him for some cash..." I pondered anxiously, If his grades continued to decline, we wouldn't be able to keep our promise. "Sherry." "Right." Sigh, I should think about this matter later on.

"Sherry, do you mind keeping this for me?" Mr. Benson hands out someone's midterm exam. "Is it for Aliyah?" "That's right. Since tomorrow's summer break, I want you to hand it over to her." Looks like Aliyah is in first place in the rankings. There is no surprise here since she is the student council president. "But I don't know her address..." "That's fine, take this. She called in sick yesterday. So try visiting her as soon as possible." Mr. Benson gave me Aliyah's student ID. It has everything I need including her home address. "Got it, thank you." I went back to my desk and the teacher continued his announcement.

"Now that everyone's exams have been given out, I hope you accept the score I give. Please message me on my phone number if there's a mistake." He then announced that starting tomorrow, all school activities would be canceled due to the start of summer break. The class cheers upon hearing the news.

Pop! "So, what grade did you get?" Enola asks, opening a can of soda. She's also one of my closest friends. "Got an A again, what about you?" "B+, And Lucy got a B." "I bet she's furious about you getting a higher grade, huh?" "You bet, She couldn't believe it!" She held back her laughter. "Mmm... Is this what you like to do behind my back?" Lucy says, glaring her eyes at Enola. "...I mean it's the tru-" Lucy pinched Enola's cheeks before finishing her sentence. I let out a chuckle, seeing those two getting along. Suddenly, Lucy pokes my sides. "Don't think you're off the hook!" "Ah!- Stop that!-" I tried to shake her off, but she kept targeting my ticklish side.

After some time, Lucy finally stops, and the three of us gasp for air. "Let's stop this, okay...?" I said, still gasping for air. "Fine...!" She quickly turned around. "Were you ranked first, Sherry?" Enola changed the subject, I guess she's curious if I'm first. "Unfortunately, I'm not first." "You're not the first!? Then who was it?" "I'm not sure, the person didn't show up." "Then what were Hugo's grades?" Lucy asked. "He barely passes. It's a C..." "Tch! I never understand why his grades are declining." Just then, out of the corner of my eyes. I saw a silhouette of someone.

"Sherry, what's wrong?" Lucy asked, noticing that I had spaced out. "Oh, it's nothing. I just felt like someone was staring." "Is that so, then I'll give them a piece of my mind if they keep staring at you." "You don't have to do that..." Because I know it was Hugo just now. He might've gotten scared by Lucy. Though he's been acting strange lately, I'm wondering why... Enola asked Sherry, "What are you planning to do during the summer break this year?"

Sherry replied, "I'm not sure yet. I'll think about it later."

"Then how about an amusement park!" Lucy exclaims. "Really...?" Enola was stunned in disappointment. "What, there's this really cool theme park I hea-" "That's enough nonsense coming out of your mouth!" Enola yells as she covers Lucy's mouth. But as soon as they were about to argue, I quickly pushed them away from each other. "W-wait...! How about this instead...?" I told them we could make a group chat and discuss it there instead. They were reluctant at first, but they both agreed after some time. "Ah! Sorry, but I have to go now. I have a guitar lesson this evening!" Enola says, panicking with her words. "Be careful on your way home!" Lucy and I waved to Enola.

After some time, Lucy and I headed home together. Our homes weren't close, but her train station was near mine. "Thanks for accompanying me home," I smiled and waved at her. "No worries, see you soon!" Lucy said, running off to the train station. I went into my house and went straight to lie in my room. "Sigh, what a day..."

I check my phone to see if something compelling is in the news. Lately, I have been looking at news about summer break this year. I want to know the prices, locations, views, etc. There are some thrilling options. But I'm hesitant about places like that. Ping! A message showed up in a group chat that I didn't know about. I had a feeling, so I looked at the notification. It was a group chat made by Enola. Lucy is bickering again with Enola about where we should spend our summer break. So far, Lucy has suggested the Mountains and an amusement park, whereas Enola has only recommended the beach.

I tried to stop the bickering, but I made it worse. It's stressful when things like this happen. "Alright, alright. let's discuss this another time." I put my phone down and try to get some sleep. Three days have passed, and the group chat is quiet. It seems like they're changing their minds about their suggestions. Lucy also added Hugo yesterday, but he hasn't said much. Right now, I'm going to Aliyah's house. It's not as far as I imagined. It's a forty-minute walk from my home.

"Phew! Her house should be around here..." I checked my phone to see if I was on the right street. "Hm, what's this?" A message notification popped up on the group chat that Enola had made. The message was from Hugo, saying that we should meet sometime to discuss where to go on this year's summer break. I didn't reply immediately because I was still looking for Aliyah's house. "Hey, Sherry!" I hear someone calling me from a distance. Out of the corner of my eye, I notice a hand waving in my direction. "Hey...!" Aliyah called out, trying to grab my attention. As soon as I spotted her, I hurried over to her.

"Sorry for the sudden visit..." "It's fine, have a seat," Aliyah says, patting an empty seat. "Thank you." "No problem. So, what brings you here?" "Actually..." I filled her in on what happened three days ago. She was surprised she got first place since she didn't try her hardest. "Oh, and here. Mr. Benson asked me to give this to you." I handed her midterm exam results. Aliyah scans thoroughly on her exam, and she thought she could've done better, but wasn't exactly disappointed by her results. "Oh, I nearly forgot to mention this too." She said as she cleared her throat. "Starting today, You, Enola, and Lucy will be free from student council activities."