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The classroom buzzed quietly as the teacher tapped the board, preparing to announce the results.
"Alright, everyone," she said, voice calm but carrying across the room. "Your groups have submitted their solutions. Here are the scores."
Jack's group exchanged nervous glances. They had worked together well, but nothing about this had felt easy.
"Full marks—20 points—for Group 4." She paused, scanning the room. "Also, full marks for Group 2."
Whispers spread. Other groups frowned and muttered among themselves.
"The remaining groups… 15 points each." The teacher's eyes lingered briefly on the disappointed faces. "Close, but not quite there."
Jack exhaled quietly, slumping slightly in relief. They'd done it. The points were theirs. The work paid off.
He glanced down at his hands, still trembling a little. No one knew exactly how close he had been to panicking, but the numbers had aligned perfectly.
Safe. Invisible. Successful.
The classroom moved on quickly, but Jack stayed tucked in his seat, mind buzzing from the adrenaline of surviving another social and academic trial.
---
The teacher's eyes lingered on Jack a little longer than the others as she clicked through her notes.
"And just so everyone is aware," she said, voice smooth but firm, "we will have a weekly test every Friday. Each group will be graded individually, and your scores will contribute to your term average."
Jack's stomach sank. Weekly tests? Every week? His hands clenched slightly under the desk. Okay… stay calm. Don't look panicked. Just… breathe.
She tapped her pen against the desk, eyes sweeping across the classroom before landing on him again. "I expect everyone to participate fully. That includes being prepared, contributing to your group, and staying focused at all times."
Jack froze internally. Contribute. Be prepared. Stay focused. Words he usually avoided were suddenly staring him in the face like bright neon signs. He shifted slightly in his seat, wishing he could disappear into the floorboards.
"Now," the teacher continued, voice casual but sharp, "this is not a suggestion. Each week, your group's performance will be monitored. Jack Hayes—" she paused briefly, and Jack's heart leapt — "I expect you to take responsibility within your group. I know you're capable of handling this."
He blinked, caught off guard. His mind scrambled for a response, but nothing came. Capable? Me? He swallowed hard, nodding automatically while internally panicking.
The rest of the class murmured quietly, unsure if the teacher had simply singled him out because of his scholarship, or if there was something else. Jack kept his eyes on his notebook, pretending to take notes, while his heart pounded like a drum in his chest.
Great. Weekly tests. Responsibility. Focus. Don't mess up. Don't draw attention.
The teacher moved on to assigning the next group task, but Jack remained frozen in thought, already calculating how to stay unnoticed while keeping the group afloat academically.
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