(One day at Class D, Lisa gets up and addresses the class.)
LISA
Listen everyone. The midterms are around the corner. And we need to revise for the exams.
ABBY
So what do you suggest?
LISA
I suggest that we go through the questions and the notes that the teachers gave us. If we pass the exams, we might get to reach Class A.
TIFFANY
I don't think we have the potential to even reach Class A.
GRACE
Yeah. They're like academic geniuses.
JUHI
We have a few geniuses in our class. Like Juwon.
(Juwon gets up from his nap.)
JUWON
Did someone call me?
ASHLEY
Well, I don't think he can be an academic genius.
JENNIFER
Don't forget that Hanna is also a genius? See, she's reading a book.
HANNA
Actually, I'm reading manga right now.
LISA
Can anyone take this seriously?! We have to pass this exam!
CLIVE
Lisa, why are you that desperate to reach class A?
LISA
Because…
KHLOE
I think it's because she's using us so that she can reach Class A. I've seen through your character. You look down on us because you were the top student in the entrance exam.
KEVIN
Does that mean we're stupid before her?
SUKINI
I think so.
FABLO
That's not nice to call people stupid. Because I'm fabulous.
LISA
You know what you're right. I'm not supposed to be in Class D. Yes, I was the top student in the entrance exams. And that was enough for me to reach Class A. But guess what, they said I wasn't qualified to reach Class A. And they put me in a class full of weirdoes and idiots! You know I don't need you guys to help me reach Class A! I'll do it myself!
(She leaves the class.)
JUHI
I guess that's the attitude that didn't qualify her to reach Class A.
GRACE
I totally agree.
HANNA
This might be bad, Juwon.
JUWON
Well, she can't force people to do things her way. Everyone has their own pace.
JUSTIN
I agree. But I think we need to take our exams seriously. Or else we might get expelled if we get below 40.
TOP
40 isn't that bad! I'll just ace the exams. Hanna, you have the notes right? You can send it to me. I've never written any notes in my life.
HANNA
Yeah, sure.
JUSTIN
How about we form study groups and then we can study together.
MADDIE
That's a good idea. We'll be study buddies. Now, who wants to be study buddies with me?
BEN
I…will.
MADDIE
Really… thanks Ben.
(Abby and Ashley grip her shoulders.)
MADDIE
Ow! What's that for Abby? Ashley?
ABBY
We know that you won't concentrate when you're with Ben.
MADDIE
What are you talking about?
ASHLEY
We know you girl. We know that you're always looking at Ben with those eyes that say I have a crush on him.
MADDIE
What?! No… way. You're….
(Her eyes admire Ben's handsome face.)
ABBY
See, what I mean. You're coming with us. And we need your nerdy brain to help us to pass.
ASHLEY
That's right.
MADDIE
Sorry, Ben. I guess I have to study with Abby and Ashley.
BEN
It's okay.
GRACE
Hey, Tiffany. Do you want to study with me and Juhi?
TIFFANY
Sure, I guess.
KEVIN
What about me and Sukini?
TIFFANY
Get lost, pig.
(Grace, Juhi and Tiffany exit.)
KEVIN
Okay.
SUKINI
It's not worth it Kevin. No one wants to hang around with us. We're the losers of this class.
STEWART
I guess so. Then we can study together.
SUKINI
I thought you went to Juwon and his group.
STEWART
I did. But that Juwon is a jerk. He got my name wrong.
(Earlier.)
STEWART
Juwon, let's study you, me and TOP.
JUWON
Sorry, stupid. We're full.
TOP
That's right we're full.
STEWART
What?! It's you and TOP and who?
JUWON
Um… and Fablo.
FABLO
I study on my own. Now onto the fabulous library.
JUWON
Sorry, we're full.
(Present.)
SUKINI
I guess they didn't want you in the group.
STEWART
I'll show them that I can be a part of the cool kid group. And you and Kevin are going to help me.
SUKINI
But we need to study.
JUWON
Okay, our group is me, Hanna, TOP, Jennifer and Lisa.
JENNIFER
I thought Lisa would want to study alone.
JUWON
Trust me. That girl can't study alone.
CLIVE
Hey, Ben and Haki. Let's study together.
HAKI
Sure.
BEN
Yeah.
KHLOE
Justin bae. Let's go on a study date.
JUSTIN
Sure… I guess the café will be a good place to study.
KHLOE
That's a good idea.
[To be continued]