The ceiling light flickers faintly. The fan hums above, spinning in a steady rhythm, while a soft breeze drifts in through the half-open window. The kind of atmosphere that could easily lull anyone into a nap.
Yet, in this drowsy room, two people are hunched over their desks, scribbling away. The scratching sound of pens across paper fills the silence like a quiet song. Julian frowns as he writes, his voice breaking the rhythm.
"So, what exactly are you trying to do here? Dragging me into studying out of nowhere without explaining a thing?"
Skylar straightens in her chair, ignoring his complaint. She leans back, lips quirking upward. "My thought is…"
Julian doesn't even look up, still focused on his notes. "Is…?"
"To get a bad grade!" Skylar announces cheerfully, as if it's a glorious life mission.
Julian closes his eyes and nods slowly. "Mm-hm…"
But his calm only lasts a few seconds. His expression twists in disbelief—wide, glittering eyes like a Barbie doll, jaw dropping low enough to scrape the floor. His brain works overtime trying to process her logic, completely abandoning his usual cold, composed image.
Skylar bursts into giggles, covering her mouth with one hand while the other waves dramatically. She puts on her "ladylike" act, voice exaggeratedly delicate, pretending to be slightly alarmed, though her eyes sparkle with mischief."Oh my, the Barbie doll is angry! How terrifying…"
The teasing snaps Julian back. His face goes blank, his control over his expression quickly restored. He clears his throat twice, tone icy. "You're serious?"
Skylar plants her elbow on the table and pulls her legs up onto the chair, sitting cross-legged like some yoga master preparing to declare a life-changing prophecy. Her face is comically solemn as she lowers her voice.
"Of course. I want to experience something every student must go through at least once in their life—the feeling of getting a failing grade and having their parents called in."
Julian snorts into his hand, laughing quietly. Leaning back, he tilts his head, lips quirking.
"Haha… you're honestly the most ridiculous genius I've ever met. You already score high—just enjoy it. Who in their right mind wants the feeling of failing? Sometimes I wonder if you're brilliant or just… a little insane. And maybe I'm insane too, for wanting to play along with you."
Skylar's eyes light up instantly. She leaps from her seat, bouncing with joy like a kitten finally allowed to do something mischievous. Julian can't help laughing at the sight.
"So… what score are we aiming for?" he asks.
Skylar stops her hopping, leaning in until her face nearly bumps his. Her eyes gleam with "serious calculation" as she raises one finger, wagging it side to side."I remember some kids in middle school scoring like sixty out of a hundred and nothing really happened. So let's go with fifty out of a hundred!"
Julian rises from his chair and flops onto the bed, stretching out casually. A sly grin spreads across his face as his eyes half-close, his tone like a strategist laying out a battle plan."Usually, fifty out of a hundred just gets you a warning. Not enough to call parents. But I've heard Ms. Strauss can be pretty strict. If she does call parents, it'll probably just be a mild lecture. So yeah, let's lock that score in. But—who exactly are you planning to have called in? I've got Nathan, but you…?"
In an instant, Skylar's angelic face dims. She lowers her gaze, whispering something too faint to catch, her emotions briefly trembling at the edges. Then she looks up again with a goofy grin, head tilted. Her tied ponytail tilts with her, the strands brushing her shoulder like even her hair is curious about the conversation.
Her voice is soft, fragile like it could drift away with the breeze. "Well… I'll figure that out when it happens."
Julian sees through the subtle cracks in her mask, though he doesn't press. He knows Skylar wants to handle what she can on her own, and he doesn't want to make her feel weaker than she already does. She's endured enough. Still, frustration gnaws at him.
Damn it. I'm still not strong enough for her to live freely, to be carefree like a normal high school girl. Why? Why can't I give her that?
He clenches his jaw, silently berating himself. Skylar once saved his life. He owes her everything. Yet here she is, still carrying burdens she can't shake off. Maybe… maybe she just needs more time.
"Hey! What are you zoning out for?"
Her voice jolts him back. Without him noticing, Skylar has leaned so close their faces nearly touch, her warm breath brushing his nose. Their hearts seem to sync, pounding in the small space between them.
Julian freezes, eyes wide.
But within two seconds, he jerks back, ears red, covering his face with one hand as if to hide the heat rising there."Move away!" he yells.
Skylar straightens with mock surrender, hands raised, eyes glittering with mischief."Alright, alright. I'll back off. No need to panic, Mister Shy Prince."
The phrase makes Julian's veins pop. His face flushes red with fury. His cold voice slices the air."What did you just say? Say it again if you dare."
"I said—"
Before she can finish, the door cracks open. Nathan pokes his head in, clearly dragged from his sleep by their noise. His face is tired, his voice rough like a prosecutor questioning suspects. "What are you two doing? It's already 11:24. Still not asleep?"
"Uh… we're just discussing homework," Julian blurts out quickly.
Nathan narrows his eyes, suspicion clear in his gaze.Those faces… look way too guilty. Definitely up to something.
Still, he doesn't push further. If they really are studying, questioning them would backfire. So he simply forces a smile."Fine. Then finish up and get some rest soon. Good night."
He closes the door, leaving the two teens staring at each other, silently panicking over whether their act looked convincing enough. If Nathan figured out their "plan," everything would collapse before it even started.
Skylar waves at the closed door and calls softly, "Good night, big bro."
Then she spins back toward Julian with a grin."So, the English test is tomorrow, right?"
Julian blinks, stunned. He grabs her shoulders in shock."Wait—don't tell me all this time you've been studying English… just for tomorrow's test?"
"What else?" Skylar replies innocently.
"Oh, for crying out loud!" Julian groans, exasperated. He storms to the desk, rummages through the messy pile of books, and yanks one out. Holding it up, he points at the label in bold letters: Biology Notebook.
Skylar freezes. Realization hits her like a thunderbolt. She scrambles to the desk, frantically flipping through another notebook."Oh no! I've been studying English the whole time!"
Julian pinches the bridge of his nose, shaking his head."I can't with you… Anyway, did you at least finish your assignment?"
Skylar perks up, proud. "Of course I did!"
Relief washes over Julian. He had already resigned himself to helping her finish if she hadn't.
After more than twenty minutes, Skylar finishes going through all her lessons to prepare for tomorrow's test. She stretches and announces, "Let's go to bed!"
Julian rises too. He walks slowly toward the bathroom, tossing her toothbrush and toothpaste toward her. Skylar catches them, eyes wide with surprise. "How do you even know which is mine?"
Julian shrugs nonchalantly, feigning superiority."Pfft! Your cheap stuff sticks out like a sore thumb among mine. How could I not recognize it?"
Skylar can't help laughing. She knows he has no bad intentions."Alright, little master," she teases.
"I'm not a little master!" Julian protests.
After about five minutes, once they've both brushed their teeth…
"Which bed are we sleeping on, top or bottom?" Skylar asks.
"What do you mean?" Julian replies lazily.
Skylar beams. She quickly arranges her things and hops onto the top bed, cheerful. "Thanks… I'll take the top! Turn off the light!"
Julian walks to the switch, looking at her with gentle fondness."I'll turn it off."
"Mm-hm!" Skylar nods repeatedly, smiling from the corners of her mouth.
Julian climbs into his bed, pulls the blanket over himself, and says softly, "Good night, Sky Baby."
The night sky sparkles with stars. The cool, quiet air drifts into the room, with gentle breezes creating a cozy, calming atmosphere. Slowly, both of them drift into sleep…
Everything is peaceful—until near three in the morning.
A sudden BANG! shakes the room, echoing like an earthquake approaching.