"OMG! That's Mike!" "It really is him. Does anyone want to go ask for an autograph with me...?"
...
Like a firefly in the dark of night, Mike became the immediate center of attention the moment he stepped into the school cafeteria. Among the crowd, quite a few girls were casting subtle, flirtatious glances his way.
Because Mike rarely went out of his way to seek the spotlight, he maintained an air of mystery to students outside of his own class.
However, whether it was his current achievements or the gossip surrounding him, everything about him could be described in one word: "legendary." It was fair to say he was living the life everyone else envied.
In the cafeteria, faced with the frantic commotion of the students, Mike maintained his graceful poise. After nodding and smiling to the crowd, he headed straight toward Lina and her friends.
"Tam! This is a rare chance, go get an autograph!" In a corner of the cafeteria, Tam's "friends" were urging him on.
Due to the powerful aura Mike exuded, those who had previously wanted Tam to introduce them no longer had the "courage" to do it themselves. Now, they simply hoped Tam would step up and snag an autograph on their behalf.
"I... I..." Tam stuttered, a notebook thrust into his hands, looking like he was on the verge of tears.
Only he knew that he and the "radiant" Mike lived in completely different worlds. If it weren't for Sheldon acting as a "bridge" between them, he wouldn't know Mike at all.
Their relationship was far from being close enough to be called friends. However, being soft-natured and having a people-pleasing personality, Tam didn't know how to refuse the pleas of his new "friends."
This awkward situation proved the old saying: Showing off feels great in the moment, but the aftermath is a total disaster.
Just as Tam was stuck between a rock and a hard place, Mike, who was about to sit down for lunch, spotted him. "Sorry, give me a moment," Mike said to Lina and the others before walking over to Tam.
"Tam, did you see that? He's coming over!" "Don't forget the autographs, Tam..." The people sitting at Tam's table grew more excited with every step Mike took.
High schoolers can be childish like that; in their minds, knowing someone "cool" proves that they are "cool" too. This was a major reason why Mike was so popular among the guys.
Propped up by the cheers of his "friends," Tam's face turned bright red. He kept his head down, not daring to look at Mike, looking as helpless as a child who had done something wrong.
"Hi, Tam. Could you come with me for a second? I have something to discuss with you," Mike asked in a friendly tone. To be able to stay friends with the picky Sheldon, Tam actually had a very good temperament, and Mike had always had a decent impression of him.
"Of course, happy to help!" Like a soldier getting called out by a drill sergeant for slacking off, Tam stood up straight as a reflex. Then, realizing his reaction was a bit much, he flashed an awkward but polite smile.
"Let's go then." Mike smiled back, looking easygoing and unbothered. After all, with Sheldon as a benchmark for social eccentricity, Tam's awkwardness was hardly an issue.
"Remember the autographs for us..." The group, who hadn't dared to make a sound while Mike was standing there, whispered reminders to Tam as he was led away.
Mike had originally intended to invite Tam to join them for lunch while discussing the Math Olympiad team. However, noticing that Tam hadn't brought his tray, Mike made a turn and led him toward the cafeteria's side exit.
"Don't be nervous. I'm here to invite you to join the Math Olympiad team..." Once they were in the hallway, Mike got straight to the point and explained the situation.
"No problem, I'd be very happy to join," Tam said, his face lighting up with joy after hearing the details. In his eyes, winning glory for the school alongside Mike was a very cool prospect. Despite his timid exterior, he harbored a "restless" heart that craved excitement.
"It's a deal then. Don't forget to meet at the Math Study Room this afternoon." Having finished his recruitment task, Mike turned back toward the cafeteria to finally eat his lunch.
"Wait, Mike..." Tam seized the opportunity and pleaded, "Could you give me a few autographs?"
...
By the time Mike returned to Lina's side, Tam had also returned to his "friends" with his "spoils of war," looking proud. "John, here's yours... Bruce, this is for you..." One by one, the "unique" autographs, each personalized with the recipient's name—were distributed. Consequently, another small cheer erupted from the edge of the cafeteria.
Time flew by, and it was soon time for the afternoon outdoor physical education period. Having gathered his "team of geniuses"—Paige, Sheldon, and Tam—Mike led them into the Math Study Room. Aside from Ms. Sharon and Nell, there were a few other prospective members already inside. When Mike walked in with his group, the room erupted in a chorus of surprised gasps.
"Let me introduce everyone. You all know Mike; from now on, he will be our Math Olympiad captain. The three others he brought along will also be official members representing the school in the year-end competition..." Once Mike and his group were seated, Ms. Sharon smiled and confirmed their status.
Mike and Sheldon were already recognized as the school's resident geniuses. Even Paige, who had been at Medford for less than a year, had shown formidable academic talent. The prospective members, knowing the trio's capabilities, clapped politely to welcome them.
Most of these students were juniors who, like Sheldon last year, were there to get a head start and adapt to the environment. Their interests didn't conflict with Mike's group; in fact, they hoped Mike and the others would secure a win for the team this year.
However, in this relaxed atmosphere, someone raised their hand at an inopportune moment. "Nell, do you have a question?" Ms. Sharon noticed the girl's reaction.
Unlike during her campaign for Student Council President, Nell was dressed very simply—plain to the point of being old-fashioned. Her expression was stern, the kind of look that immediately labeled her as the type of student who reports others to the teacher.
"I protest. I became an official member only after passing a math test. For the sake of fairness, they must be tested as well..." Nell's tone was blunt. She added defiantly, "Also, I suggest we have a collective grand test today. Whoever gets the highest score should be the captain."
She pointedly glared at Mike as she spoke. It was clear the Student Council Vice President held a grudge. Seeing that Nell's argument was logically sound, Ms. Sharon had no choice but to look at Mike.
"I don't mind," Mike said nonchalantly, as if he didn't feel her hostility at all. This mindset saved him from unnecessary mental exhaustion; after all, not even Benjamin Franklin could make everyone like him. People like Nell, who hadn't been "humbled" by the real world yet, would eventually suffer for their personalities anyway—she wasn't worth the worry.
"I don't mind either." Seeing Mike take the lead, Paige and the other two followed suit. Paige and Sheldon's confidence went without saying. As for Tam, while he rarely stood out, his IQ was actually around 160. Compared to average people, he was undoubtedly a "super genius" level talent.
Thus, the result of today's test seemed to be written in the stars.