First class.

As Alex and John were heading to the math class, a solemn air seemed to hang over them. John, who was usually in high spirits, appeared somewhat subdued after the memory-laden conversation about his family's past. The weight of silence bore down on them, and Alex found himself losing interest in conversation.

They reached the classroom, and John, in his usual fashion, flung the door open without a care for formalities. However, Alex paused outside, deciding to wait. The echo of the teacher's voice reached them, scolding John for his lack of courtesy while the students inside shared a hearty laugh at John's expense.

Alex knocked gently and entered the classroom as the teacher's rebuke continued.

"Where are your manners? How many times must we remind you to knock? Besides that, you're late."

"I did knock, but you were occupied and didn't hear me," John replied with a mischievous grin, attempting to play innocent.

The teacher, her eyes magnified to an exaggerated size by her massive red-framed glasses, retorted, "No, you didn't. I have ears like an elephant—"

John couldn't resist interrupting, "Yes, we all know, ears like an elephant, eyes like hawks, and a nose like a wolf. Nothing escapes you, and you miss nothing."

The teacher turned to give John a stern look, her eyes almost disappearing behind her glasses. "You are being quite the zoo today."

John muttered under his breath, "Freaking zoo," prompting laughter from the class, despite his attempt to keep it hushed.

The teacher whipped around. "Why are you all laughing?" Then, her attention shifted to Alex. "And who are you?"

Alex handed her the paper Mr. Thomas had given him, waiting patiently. The teacher, with her glasses perched precariously on her nose, peered at the paper and mumbled something unintelligible.

"Welcome aboard, Alex. Find a seat next to John, and please don't dawdle; we have a class to attend."

Alex retrieved his bag and seated himself, feeling the oppressive dullness of the classroom. No one spoke, and no one participated. The teacher's voice was the only one that pierced the silence. Her voice, if raised any higher, could probably shatter glass. The fifteen minutes Alex spent in that class felt interminable, like an hour. Finally, the ringing of the bell signified the end, and students rushed to the door as if it were an emergency evacuation.

Alex attempted to lighten the mood as he quipped to John, "I guess we're both headed to summer school."

John's response was unusually cold. "No kidding."

Sensing John's frustration, Alex probed further. "Are you mad at me?"

"Why would I be?" John replied with indifference.

"For all the questions I asked," Alex clarified.

"No, I'm just frustrated," John confessed.

"Why?" Alex inquired.

"No one in this class is smart, and from your looks, you seem intelligent enough. I was hoping you could tutor me or, better yet..." John looked around cautiously, even though the class was almost empty, "help me cheat."

Alex continued to look at John and couldn't help but smile, which soon turned into laughter.

John seemed relieved by Alex's reaction. "You think it's funny, huh?"

"Look, there's this girl I like, and she's a genius. I doubt she'll agree to go to prom with me if I end up in summer school, you know what I mean?" John explained.

Alex nodded, still chuckling. "Yeah, I get it. Don't worry; I've got your back."

"What's your next class?" John inquired as he packed his books into his bag.

Alex checked his schedule. "It's... history."

"Great, math and history back-to-back. It's a bad omen," John joked.

"Don't forget English after that," Alex reminded him.

"That's the jackpot," John agreed.

With their conversation lightening the mood, Alex slung his bag over his shoulder, and they left the classroom together. They spotted Eve waiting by the lockers just outside the classroom, and she greeted Alex with a warm smile.

"I thought you were enjoying the math class," Eve quipped, humor dancing in her eyes.

"It wasn't too bad in there," Alex replied with a grin.

"Yeah... for a zoo," Eve added, and they both laughed.

Alex couldn't help but notice that the students in the hallway were casting curious glances in his direction.

"Why are they all looking at me like that?" Alex wondered aloud.

Eve offered an explanation. "Well, let's see. You're a new student who joined in the middle of the term, and you're also our new captain. You're practically a celebrity."

Alex downplayed it, saying, "I wouldn't go that far."

Just then, a group of girls, who appeared to idolize Eve, approached them.

"After school, we're resuming practice, right?" one of the girls asked Eve.

Eve nodded, confirming, "Yes, we need to finalize the new routine before the upcoming games."

"Perfect, it's a deal then," the girl said. She then turned her attention to Alex with a coquettish smile. "Hi there, cutie."

Alex scanned the corridor briefly, making sure the girl was addressing him. "Ah, hi," he replied, slightly taken aback.

The girl gave him a playful wink and then sauntered away to join her group of idols. Alex turned to Eve; curiosity etched on his face. "What was that?"

Eve chuckled. "Consider it a welcoming gift from the cheerleading squad."

"They're the cheerleaders?" Alex inquired.

Eve nodded; her head held a little higher. "Yes, and I happen to be their captain."

"Ah, I see," Alex said, nodding in understanding. He couldn't help but admire Eve's confidence as they continued down the hallway.

Eve broke the silence. "So, how does it feel? Your first day at this school?"

Alex offered a wry smile. "Well, so far, it's been rather uneventful."

Eve laughed. "Well, brace yourself. Wait until you experience the history class."

"Is it really that bad?" Alex asked, genuinely intrigued.

"We're diving into Egyptian pharaohs today," Eve explained.

Alex raised an eyebrow. "Actually, that sounds pretty interesting."

As they walked together, they paid no heed to the stares and whispers from the other students in the corridor. It seemed that everyone was curious about Alex and why Eve was walking beside him as if they were the only two people in the hallway.

Finally, they reached the door to the history class, and Eve looked around. "So, here we are."

Alex offered, "I think you should go in first. You didn't want to walk in with the new student; it might affect your image."

Eve rolled her eyes playfully. "Are you kidding? You're practically a celebrity now."