Chapter 4.

~Cater~

''Stupid Trey. He's my teacher but he's unavailable!'' Cater stomped around her room.

It was Thursday, but she couldn't enjoy it.

She had a big test tomorrow and needed help. She went to Trey's room, demanded that he open his door but was turned away. Even though Trey was one of the smartest, he was still the meanest person Cater had ever met.

And now, Cater had no teacher and no one to study with. She wanted to ask Queen, but she was really scary when bothered. Especially if you didn't make any plans.

So, Kurasame suggested a study group.

''A study group, really?'' Cater asked. She didn't want to study with just anyone. They had to be someone she knew, someone smart so she could copy their answers.

''Yes...really.'' Kurasame said. ''This test is very important. I suggest you go to the library and get some help. There's usually people studying there after school.''

''Guess I have no choice.'' Cater sighed.

''Guess I really have no choice.'' She quoted herself. She grabbed her house keys, opened the door, and went straight to the library.

Akademia looked weird during the night. Students would be all around, reading, talking or sleeping, but nobody was around.

Cater felt uncomfortable as she walked through the empty hallways, trying to make way towards the library. She thought she heard someone behind her, so she quickened her pace, and ran towards the library.

Much to her surprise, the library was packed. The tables were full of students studying.

As Cater searched around for a table, she saw someone she knew. Eight. He was sitting alone, reading the book Kurasame had assigned them. ''Eight!'' She screamed.

Angry students turned and looked at her. But Cater ignored them. As she made her way towards Eight, he finally looked up and noticed her. ''Cater? What are you doing here?"

''I should ask you the same.'' Cater said, sitting next to him.

''You know, studying.'' Eight said as he held up the book. ''Remember, Kurasame assigned us to read this book. We're having a quiz on it tomorrow.''

Cater nodded. ''Yeeeah, but I don't feel like reading.'' She leaned back in her chair. ''Can you tell me the plot?''

''Cater...'' Eight sighed. ''It's actually a good book. And we only have to read two chapters! Come on, you can do it.''

She sighed. She placed her backpack on the chair and took the book out. They were given this book a week ago, and Cater didn't even put her name on it. In fact, she was sleeping when Kurasame handed it to them. ''Thanks for the encouragement.'' She sighed. ''Are you with someone?''

Eight nodded. ''Yeah. Sice and Nine were suppose to be here. But where are they?''

''Hey!'' Nine shouted. Annoyed students looked at Nine, but of course he ignored them. ''Sorry we're late, yo!''

''Can you shut your mouth?'' Sice asked. She was more annoyed by Nine then anyone. Especially since she was forced to sit next to him. As they made their way to the table, they were surprise to see Cater. ''Huh, Cater? Why are you here?''

''I need to study.'' She admitted, scratching her head.

''Didn't you ask Trey though?'' Nine asked her.

Cater shook her head. ''No, that meanie told me to go away.'' She sighed. ''So, I came here, hoping to get some studying done.''

''Well, you're in luck.'' Sice said taking the book out. ''We're here to study too.''

Nine nodded. ''Yeah, we asked Queen, but she yelled at us. Like what the heck, yo?''

''If you didn't continue to knock on her door and annoy her, then maybe she would've helped us.'' Sice explained. ''But he was all like, Hey yo! Can you help us? Helloooooo?''

''And then what happened...?'' Eight asked.

''She opened the door, threw a pencil at Nine and told him to go away.'' Sice said. ''So we did. And now, here we are. All because of Nine and his stupidness.''

Nine huffed. ''Well Sice, she threw you out too, didn't she?"

''Can we just study!?'' Sice yelled. ''I want to pass this test.''

Eight chuckled. ''Yeah, let's study.''

Cater looked at the book. It had long paragraphs that Cater didn't really care to read. But she need to pass this test. It's now or never. ''Hey guys?'' She asked, calling their attention. ''Why don't we study together?''

''Study together?'' Nine asked. ''How?''

''Like...read the story together.''

Eight nodded. ''I like that idea.'' He looked at Sice. ''How are we going to split this?''

''We read one paragraph each?'' Sice suggested.

''Aww! That will take forever!'' Nine groaned.

Sice rolled her eyes. ''Come on, just read. You know how too, don't you?''

''Of course! I'm a reading tank, you know!"

Eight laughed. ''I'm sure.'' He looked at Cater. ''Ready?''

Cater reached into her backpack and took out some paper. ''Yeah, I'm just going to take some notes too.''

Sice nodded. ''Good idea.''

They stayed up all night yesterday. Nine was the first one to fall asleep, followed by Sice and Eight. Cater tried her best to stay awake, but her eyes were failing her. As she sat comfortable in her chair, she leaned on the sleeping Eight, and fell asleep.

Eight was the first to wake. As he looked around, he looked surprise that Cater was leaning on him. He gently moved her into a comfortable position so that her head was against the chair. He noticed that Sice and Nine were already gone. He panicked. ''Cater!" He gently shook her. ''We're late! Wake up!''

''The story is about a Princess who...'' She looked around. Her vision was still blurry, but she could see Eight a bit. ''H-Huh? Eight? Did the duck save the Princess?''

Eight chuckled. ''Well, at least you remember that part of the story.'' He jumped out of his seat. ''We're late for class, but Kurasame takes at least 10 minutes to get there.'' He smiled. ''Let's get going, okay?''

Cater nodded. ''Uh...yeah.'' She picked up her book and placed it in her backpack. She smiled at Eight and walked towards the classroom.

''Good job, most of you.'' Kurasame had the tests in his hands. He was smiling for once. ''I'm surprised that most of you passed this test.'' He started handing them out.

Cater kept moving in her seat. She was confident that she got at least an B, but she was having doubts. The questions were hard, and she was surprised she finished after Queen.

Finally, Kurasame handed Cater her test. She closed her eyes for a few minutes and looked at the score.

To her surprise she did quite well.

''Well, it's not an A.'' Kurasame commented. ''But at least it's not an F.''

Cater smiled at her C+. She wasn't sure if she should celebrate or cry. She glanced at Nine who had his face in his hands. She grinned. At least I did better than him!