"There is a country in Europe where multiple-choice tests are illegal."
Sigfried Hulzer
Daniel tapped his pen against the paper absently, his lips moving soundlessly as he read. Next to him, on his stomach, was Jack O'Neill. Daniel pushed long, brown hair out of his eyes, pushed his glasses up, and then glanced in amusement at his friend. Jack had collapsed onto his book dramatically.
"You'll never pass the test if you don't study," Daniel pointed out. Jack lay still, then muttered something uncomplimentary about the science teacher. "And if you don't pass the test," Daniel continued, ignoring the remark, "you don't get to play hockey."
"I can't wait till college," Jack muttered. "I bet they don't have multiple-choice tests in college."
"I bet you're wrong," Daniel muttered back, flipping the page.
Jack thought a moment, mind miles away from science, and then proclaimed, "There is a country in Europe where multiple-choice tests are illegal."
Daniel rolled his eyes. "I bet you're wrong about that, too."
Jack stared at his long-time friend in mock hurt. "You wound me, Danny-boy. There's a country in Europe for everything!"
"Are we going to study or debate the legality of multiple-choice tests in an unnamed country in Europe?" Daniel asked in exasperation. "The test is tomorrow."
"Let's debate," Jack said. "It's only five, and science is fourth period. Studying can wait."
"Studying can always wait when it comes to you, Jack," Daniel sighed. "That's why you don't get A's. You always complain about B's and C's, yet you never do anything to change it."
"I do too," Jack defended himself indignantly. "I read the book for the last history test."
Daniel shut his textbook decisively. "You know what? We weren't getting any studying done before—or at least you weren't—so let's get something to eat."
"Food. Food is good," Jack agreed. "How about a movie, while we're at it?"
"We're not going to have a date in lieu of studying," Daniel grumped.
"We have before," Jack pointed out. Daniel closed his eyes, counted to ten slowly in four different languages, and then glared at his friend-turned-boyfriend.
"You were never this close to flunking out of science before," Daniel shot back. "Just a snack, Jack. That's all."
"All right," Jack sighed. "A snack. And then we'll debate the legality of multiple-choice tests in Europe."