The day of the exams finally arrived, and the tension in the air was palpable. Everyone in the group felt the weight of the tests looming over them, each dealing with the pressure in their own way.
Ammy, usually calm and composed, was visibly stressed. She triple-checked her notes, worried about every little detail. Despite everyone knowing that she'd likely score the highest in their group, her nerves got the best of her after each exam. She'd spend hours analyzing how she did, stressing over every answer.
Kiddy, on the other hand, had a different approach. While he took the exams seriously, he felt a sense of relief wash over him after each one was completed. To him, every test meant they were one step closer to the end of the ordeal. He kept reminding himself that once it was all over, they'd have their freedom back.
Sam was laid-back as usual, barely showing any concern for the exams. He was the kind of guy who didn't need to worry—he somehow always managed to do well, even with minimal effort. His carefree attitude never seemed to change, and true to form, he breezed through the exams with ease.
Lily, though well-meaning, wasn't as academically inclined. She struggled with the material, often joking about being a "dumb brick" when it came to certain subjects. But with determination and a bit of help from her friends, she managed to scrape by, just enough to pass.
Harry, who had always been diligent, handled the exams with his usual methodical approach. He was good at studying and felt confident after most of the exams, though he didn't let that stop him from continuing to review his notes between tests.
Mando, who was average in his studies, found himself just trying to survive. He wasn't aiming for the top ranks, but he worked hard to ensure he got respectable grades. After each exam, he'd sigh in relief, knowing he'd done enough to get by.
When the results finally came out, the group's ranks were as expected:
1. Ammy - Despite all her worries, she lived up to everyone's expectations, securing the highest rank in the group. Her hard work paid off, and she earned the 3rd position in the entire class.
2. Sam - As expected, Sam's relaxed approach didn't fail him. He ranked 2nd in the group and 5th in the class, proving once again that he could perform well without stressing too much.
3. Harry - His steady and consistent efforts earned him 3rd place in the group and 6th in the class. He felt satisfied with his performance, knowing he'd given it his all.
4. Kiddy - Kiddy, who had taken a more relaxed approach after each exam, still managed to perform well, ranking 4th in the group and 8th in the class. He was happy with his results, knowing he'd found a good balance between work and relaxation.
5. Mando - True to form, Mando landed in the middle of the group, with an average rank of 5th among his friends and 12th in the class. He was relieved that his efforts had paid off and that he'd maintained a solid performance.
6. Lily - Despite her self-doubts, Lily managed to pass all her exams, landing 6th in the group and 16th in the class. She was proud of herself for making it through and felt grateful for the support of her friends.
As they all gathered after seeing their results, there was a mixture of relief and celebration. Ammy, despite her usual worries, was finally able to relax and smile, proud of what she had accomplished. The rest of the group congratulated each other, knowing they'd all made it through the exams together, each in their own way.
Kiddy and his friends had just finished checking their results and were feeling good about where they stood.
As they were chatting, Kiddy spotted Eric across the courtyard. Eric, who had been his volleyball buddy and someone Kiddy admired for his athletic skills, was surrounded by a few classmates. Curious about how Eric had done, Kiddy waved to his friends and made his way over to him.
"Hey, Eric!" Kiddy called out, catching his attention. "How'd you do on the exams?"
Eric turned to Kiddy with a laid-back smile. "Hey, Kiddy! Not too bad. What about you?"
Kiddy grinned. "Pretty decent. I'm happy with my rank. But what about you? I've got to know."
Eric chuckled and held up his result sheet. Kiddy's eyes scanned the paper, and his jaw nearly dropped. Eric had secured the first rank in his class, with an almost perfect score in every subject. It was impressive, to say the least.
"Whoa," Kiddy said, genuinely stunned. "First in the class? That's incredible, man! I knew you were smart, but I didn't realize you were this good!"
Eric shrugged modestly, his smile never faltering. "Thanks, Kiddy. I just try to balance things, you know? Sports and studies—they both matter to me. I make sure I give time to both, so I don't fall behind in either."
Kiddy nodded, feeling a wave of admiration. Eric wasn't just a talented athlete—he was also someone who had mastered the art of balance. It was clear that Eric knew how to manage his time and priorities, ensuring that he excelled both on the court and in the classroom.
"That's seriously impressive," Kiddy said, still in awe. "I need to take some tips from you." Kiddy said jokingly.
Eric laughed and patted Kiddy on the shoulder. "It's all about making a schedule and sticking to it."
Kiddy smiled, feeling motivated by Eric's words.
As Kiddy rejoined his group of friends, he couldn't help but think about Eric's approach to life. It wasn't just about being good at one thing—it was about finding balance and excelling in all areas. And that was something Kiddy knew he could work on as he moved forward.