By the middle of the semester, the teachers started reminding everyone about something very serious:
Final exams. University applications. The future.
Words that sounded very far away before suddenly felt very close.
One afternoon, after school, the three of them were sitting in the classroom in the last row while the sun slowly moved across the floor.
"We need a study plan," Su Ran said seriously.
Zhao Ming looked personally offended.
"We just finished the school festival and you are already talking about studying?"
"Yes," she said.
"This is the final year. Final exams are important."
Jiang Chen nodded slightly.
"She's right."
Zhao Ming leaned back dramatically.
"I am surrounded by people who love studying. This is very unfortunate."
"You don't have to love studying," Su Ran said.
"You just have to pass."
"That is a low but achievable goal," Zhao Ming replied.
---
The Official Study Group
They decided to start a study group after school in the library.
The plan sounded very organized:
Monday: Math
Tuesday: English
Wednesday: Science
Thursday: Revision
Friday: "Light studying"
"Light studying?" Zhao Ming asked.
"That sounds fake."
"It means reviewing notes," Su Ran said.
"It means snacks and talking," Zhao Ming replied.
"No," Jiang Chen said.
"It means reviewing notes."
Zhao Ming sighed.
"My freedom is gone."
---
First Study Session
The first study session started very seriously.
They sat in the library at their usual table by the window.
Su Ran opened her math book.
Jiang Chen opened a notebook and started explaining a problem.
Zhao Ming opened… a snack.
"Why did you bring so much food?" Su Ran asked.
"Studying requires energy," he said.
"You brought chips, chocolate, juice, and cookies," she said.
"I am preparing for a long academic journey," he replied.
Jiang Chen ignored both of them and started explaining a math problem to Su Ran.
"You solve it like this," he said, writing step by step.
Su Ran leaned closer to see the notebook better.
Zhao Ming watched them and slowly smiled.
"I feel like I am watching a tutoring session that I am not invited to," he said.
"You are invited," Su Ran said.
"You just never listen."
"I listen emotionally," Zhao Ming replied.
---
The 20-Minute Rule
After about 20 minutes, Zhao Ming closed his book.
"I have studied enough."
"You solved one question," Su Ran said.
"It was a difficult emotional question," he replied.
Jiang Chen looked at him.
"You didn't write anything."
"I solved it in my mind," Zhao Ming said confidently.
"You don't have anything in your mind," Su Ran said.
"That is very rude," he replied.
---
The Paper Fight
After an hour, they were all tired.
Su Ran stretched her arms.
"My brain is not working anymore."
Zhao Ming immediately threw a small paper ball at her.
It hit her shoulder.
She looked at him slowly.
"You started a war."
She threw one back.
It hit Jiang Chen by accident.
All three froze.
Jiang Chen slowly looked up from his notebook.
Zhao Ming pointed at Su Ran immediately.
"She did it."
"You threw first!" Su Ran said.
Jiang Chen picked up the paper ball, looked at both of them, and threw it perfectly back at Zhao Ming.
Direct hit.
Zhao Ming held his heart dramatically.
"Betrayed by the quiet one."
Su Ran laughed so hard the librarian looked at them and said,
"Quiet, please."
All three of them whispered "sorry" at the same time and then tried not to laugh again.
---
Walking Home After Studying
After the library closed, they walked home together.
The streets were quiet, and the air was cool.
"I don't think our study group is very effective," Su Ran said.
"It is emotionally effective," Zhao Ming replied.
"It is academically ineffective," Jiang Chen said.
"That is just your opinion," Zhao Ming replied.
Su Ran looked at both of them and smiled.
Even though they didn't study very efficiently, she liked these afternoons.
Walking home after studying.
Talking about random things.
Complaining about homework.
Sharing snacks.
Throwing paper balls in the library.
These were small things.
But she knew one day, these small things would become very big memories.
---
A Quiet Moment
When they reached the street where they usually separated to go home, they stopped like always.
"Tomorrow, library again?" Su Ran asked.
Jiang Chen nodded.
"Yes."
Zhao Ming sighed dramatically.
"My peaceful life is gone forever."
"You never had a peaceful life," Su Ran said.
"That is true," he replied.
They stood there for a moment, not leaving immediately.
Finally, Zhao Ming said,
"Final year is actually going very fast."
Su Ran nodded slowly.
"Yeah… it is."
Jiang Chen looked at both of them and said quietly,
"Then we shouldn't waste it."
No one replied, but all three of them understood what he meant.
So the next day, and the day after that, and the day after that,
they kept studying together, walking home together, sitting in the last row together,
trying to pretend that the final year wasn't slowly moving toward the end.