After a few more practice problems, Andrea started fidgeting. She tapped her pencil, glanced out the window, and even attempted to balance her eraser on her nose.
"You're losing focus again," I said.
"I can't help it," she groaned. "Studying is so boring."
I sighed. "Okay. Let's make a bet."
Andrea perked up. "A bet?"
"Yeah. If you get the next five questions right without asking for help, I'll buy you a snack after school."
Her eyes sparkled. "From the cafeteria?"
"Yeah."
"Even the expensive snacks?"
"...Within reason."
Andrea slammed her hands on the table. "You're on."
I smirked. "Then start."
For the next fifteen minutes, she was more focused than I had ever seen her. Her usual complaints disappeared as she furrowed her brows in concentration.
After carefully finishing the last problem, she pushed the notebook toward me. "Alright, genius. Grade me."
I scanned her answers.
"Four out of five correct," I said.
Andrea gasped. "No way! Which one did I get wrong?"
I pointed at the mistake.
She groaned, collapsing onto the desk. "So close!"
"You still did better than before," I admitted.
Andrea sighed dramatically. "So… no snack?"
I rolled my eyes. "I'll still buy you something. You actually tried this time."
Her face lit up. "Rest, I take back everything bad I ever said about you."
I snorted. "You never said anything bad about me."
Andrea grinned. "That's because I like you too much."
I paused.
She blinked, realizing what she just said.
Then, just as quickly, she waved her hands. "I mean—I like you as a friend! Obviously!"
"...Obviously," I echoed.
Andrea cleared her throat and looked down at her notes. "Okay! Next question!"
I watched her for a moment before shaking my head.
She was a mess.
But for some reason, I didn't mind.