“This Tragic Pizza of Exam Humiliations” (49.11)

“If there’s any class that—” Oka started.

"6th Period: Void History and Studies C1A4 ORCAS,”

“Thanks for interrupting me just to say the name of the class, Kalei.” Oka said.

The three of us were seated in Caya’s class, the electric, slightly nervous anticipation heavy in the air, matched only by the toasty and weary exhaustion after so many exams. Lillia sat in front of us, filling notebook pages while studying. I wasn’t sure why, maybe copying her own notes over to remember them better? She kept filling out stacks of notecards as well, as we were allowed five. 

“I’m just wondering, what’s the code before Caya’s name?” Kalei asked, waving her schedule around for emphasis. “And why they haven’t updated her last name yet?”

“I dunno.” Oka said.

“6th Period: Void History and Studies C1A4 ORCAS,” Kalei repeated the class name with a bit more oomph to it for some reason.

“This is such a stupid bit, Kalei,” Oka said. “I hate it instantly and want you to know how unfunny I find this. Are you really trying to make a bit out of saying the name of the class over and over?”

“I definitely am now that I know how much it annoys you,” Kalei said. “6th Period: Void History and Studies C1A4 ORCAS!”

“This is so stupid!” Oka said.

“6th Period: Void History and Studies,” I said.

“Don’t you join in on this.” Oka said. “I don’t even get it, what’s the joke? Just saying the name of the class like it’s written on our schedule?”

“Zates didn’t even say the right name,” Kalei said.

“I totally did!” I said.

“You forgot the code and Caya’s name,” Kalei said. 

“While I’m glad you’re keeping the mood somewhat jovial rather than doomsaying about embarrassing curses or what have you, I think you’d be better served getting some last minute studying in.” Lillia said.

“I don’t think my brain can store any more info at this time,” Oka said, staring at her notecards that were completely filled with handwriting so tiny I wasn’t sure she’d be able to get any info out of it.

My notecards were…moderately decent. We were allowed five notecards, and comparing 

“Say Lillia, what class is this?” Kalei said. She did not bring any notecards.

“Don’t say it.” Oka said.

“I bet someone as astute as you could recite the name of this class without even looking at our schedule.” Kalei said.

“Void History and Studies C1A4,” Lillia said. "With Caya Kilander."

“Ehhh, she missed saying sixth period.” Kalei leaned back in her chair, disappointed. 

“I still had a point to make here before you had to be a huge jerk and do this stupid class name bit.” Oka said.

“Sorry.” I said.

“Fine, I’m sorry too, no more interruptions. You were saying?” Kalei asked.

6th Period: Void History and Studies C1A4 ORCAS

Hee hee. Sorry, couldn’t resist. 

“I was saying that if there’s any class that we should be fine in, free of any embarrassments, it’s this one.” Oka said.

“I thought we were done with the curse talk.” Lillia said, menace rising in her voice.

“We are!” Oka said. “I’m putting a stamp on it and sending that letter away."

“Pfft.” Kalei said. “What?”

“The letter that says there’s no curse and we’re not gonna get embarrassed!” Oka said. “We’re good for this one, I can feel it. Caya likes all of us, so no Soleri situation. Surely there won’t be any goopy things that can splatter on clothes. No slideshows to accidentally leave pictures in. As long as we keep our mouths shut, it should be smooth sailing. Just take a test and leave.”

“It sounds like you’re still talking about it.” Kalei said.

“I’m refuting it if anything!”

“Lillia, time to use that fire breath and shut Oka up about this curse for good.” Kalei said.

“Noooo!” I whined. 

“I’ll use it on all three of you if you don’t quiet down.” Lillia said. That got us to shut up, as well as about half the class. Caya seemed a touch confused that she didn’t have to stomp to stop our chattiness. She briefly explained the final, noting that it should be pretty straightforward and handed papers out. 

With the test in front of me, it hit me that this was my last big exam of the semester. I gripped my Raina Starlight branded mechanical pencil and got to work.

What two nations’ names curiously regularly appear over various void dimensions, despite having no apparent connection?

Easy. Indicordia and Crimsalia!

What affliction caused the downfall of CER-9927 led by the Sharai armies?

Beast Tendency and Feral Flu. I had unfortunate experience with the former and an oddly fun time with the latter.

It hit me as I continued that I’d accidentally prepared myself for finals somewhat for all my misadventures. I bitterly thought to myself, At least the trauma helped me with a test. But at least there were good times, too. I found myself reflecting on the semester between filling in answer bubbles on the test.

I must’ve gone into some kind of hollow, lost in thought state after that, because I came to in the girls’ dorms, not sure what to do with myself. All that was left were the challenges in the void, and this semester would be done.

“It’s kind of weird…” I said when the others joined me, Oka sitting right by me, Kalei deciding to lie on the ground after finals. “It feels like the semester just started. But also like it was forever ago. And now it’s over.”

“If you get all philosophical on me, I’m gonna scream,” Kalei said. “That essay part of the test wrecked me.”

“It’s just weird to be almost done,” I said. “Kinda…bittersweet.”

“Maybe think of it as us being halfway through the year?” Oka said. “Then it doesn’t have that feeling of finality, ya know?”

“You get me!” I said.

Kalei groaned. “I don’t wanna think about how much more school we have to do mere minutes after we wrapped up exams. That’s cruel, Ohri.”

“What do you want to talk about then?” Oka asked. “Anything but that stupid class name bit, please.”

“What if we started pronouncing Zeta’s name like ‘Zeetuh Fuller?’” Kalei said.

“That’s the best you can come up with?” Lillia asked.

“Remember when the semester started and Kalei kept pronouncing my last name like that for real?” I asked.

“Did she ever stop doing that?” Oka asked.

“I wouldn’t be joking about it if I still did it!” Kalei said. “It’s a lighthearted rib at myself, you see.” She sat up for just a second to wave Marmalade over to us, then flopped back onto the ground.

“The test went that bad?” Marmalade asked.

“Eh, it was fine,” Kalei said. “Floors are recharging.”

“I don’t know if I’d lie down on this particular floor,” Oka said. “Lotsa strange shoes hath probably trodden upon this carpet.”

“Lots of strange yous won’t, uh, shut up.” Kalei said. “On this particular floor.”

Marmalade giggled.

“You need some floor time, Marms?” Kalei asked, patting the ground right next to her. “How were the, uh the backup finals?”

“Ko Matora called them the loser bracket.” Marmalade said.

Lillia stifled a laugh at that.

“Yeah, but you’re not part of that, really, you’re just new.” Kalei said.

“I guess,” Marmalade shrugged. “I still had to take like half-tests with y’all too.”

If I said that, Kalei would have snapped back with something like, “Yeah, duh, I saw you in class,” and make fun of me for not noticing. But with Marmalade, she just nodded.

“Do you get to come with for the void stuff?” Kalei asked.

“I think so.” Marmalade said.

“Well, if we’re in the same spot in some big monster battle, we should definitely team up.” Kalei stretched and yawned.

“I’ll have to take you up on that.” Marmalade said.