Chapter 11 - XI (1/2)

WHAT'S THE WORST THING THAT'S EVER HAPPENED TO CERTAIN INDIVIDUALS WHEN THEY WERE STUDENTS?

A certain individual would respond that it would be getting his feelings disregarded by his crush who was deeply infatuated with a K-pop idol.

Here comes another certain individual whose response would be getting a failing grade and getting scolded by her parents after. She also ends up losing her spot on the honor list.

The last individual's response is the most unexpected. The worst thing that happened to him is when he had to be partners in a pair activity with the person he loathed the most. What happened in the end, you ask? Well, they weren't able to do anything and had to repeat a grade level.

Since Laia had always been unfortunate and had a lot of her own experiences to share, she thought that her bad luck would end when she didn't get into her dream high school and therefore was the worst experience she could have in her life.

Apparently not, as her adviser had just announced that instead of having a written examination, the examination would be in a form of a group report regarding world issues with three people instead. At first, everybody was cheering and celebrating at the top of their lungs.

Said excitement did not last when their adviser added that she would be deciding on the groupings. And it only worsened when she announced that she was too (lazy) tired to group them accordingly, so the lady just had to group them by their surnames.

And of course, Laia immediately realized that her surname was exactly before the asshat's surname. The girl wished and prayed to anyone who could help her to not be grouped with the asshat in a very important report that equaled to their examination. And because her luck had absolutely run out and her adviser hated her guts, she announces Laia's nightmare with a huge smile on her face.

”Laurie, Lopez, and Miles!”

The room was silent for a while and everyone had their own opinions about the revelation, most obviously in shock and fear. Some even voiced out that it was unfair that Shane, the girl who was with Laia, got to be in the same group with their class's top one and two.

In the end, Shane was the only person delighted in the grouping. Laia notes to tell Brie that she's not groupmates with her boyfriend (for once). Laia forgot who her friend was groupmates with but it's the least of her concerns as of the moment as the asshat has assumed the leadership position and had already started planning the flow of their report and topics to discuss without even thinking of asking Laia's opinion.

Fucking asshole.

”... so we should focus on how capitalism affects the society, and--”

Laia quickly cuts him off. ”Let's not do capitalism,” The asshat had the audacity to look scandalized at what Laia said. ”Everyone's probably doing it already with how it was literally the topic last week, not that you were listening--”

The asshat leans closer, making Laia lean back but she kept her eyes on him, not breaking eye contact. ”How'd you even know if I was listening or not, Lopez?”

”Lucky guess?” Laia shrugs instead of mentioning that it was obvious that the asshat wasn't listening because of how he was flirting and giggling around with a classmate of theirs last time which made Laia have to switch seats. ”Anyway, I suggest we do the scarcity of water, instead. The number of countries with issues of water scarcity has increased through the years and we could mention that it would be due to how these bodies of waters which used to be sources of clean water had turned--”

”How about human greed?”

Laia rolls her eyes, her jaw clenching. ”What's wrong with the issue I'm trying to raise?”

The asshat had the audacity to shrug. He had the mocking smile on his face and Laia wanted nothing else but to punch it off his face. ”I think you're not focusing on the important issue here,” The boy started drawing figures on the paper Shane grabbed from her bag earlier and placed it on the table. ”Why does the scarcity of water exist? From people. People, because instead of taking care of their natural resources they exploit them and use them for their own benefits. And when it no longer serves its purpose, they abandon it,”

”The scarcity of water isn't just limited to being caused by human greed,” Laia also drew a figure on the table, even marking the drawing the asshat did with an X. ”It can also root from global warming--”

”Which is caused by humans,” The asshat interrupts, raising an eyebrow.

”So you're saying that the reason why deserts don't have bodies of water is because of humans?”

Laia knew they were already drifting away from the topic but her pride would not allow her to concede.

The asshat sighs deeply as if the conversation was exhausting him. ”Why are you even talking about deserts when there had never been any bodies of water existing there--”