Chapter 251: midterm exam week I
Monday
Monday morning arrived with the first day of midterm examinations.
Vivienne woke earlier than usual.
For once, there was no temptation to linger in bed and think about Christopher.
Well.
There was.
She simply had an examination to worry about.
She reviewed her notes one last time, checked that she had everything she needed, and reached for her phone before leaving.
She smiled as she opened her inbox.
Then typed:
Good morning, Christopher. Good luck with your examinations today. I hope they go well. I have two examinations today too.
She sent it.
She didn’t expect a reply.
Christopher had his own examinations.
She slipped her phone into her bag and continued getting ready.
A few minutes later, however, the phone vibrated.
Vivienne blinked.
Already?
She opened the message.
Good morning, Vivienne. Thank you. Good luck with yours as well.
She smiled.
Then frowned slightly at the time.
It was early.
Very early.
She typed:
Why are you awake so early today?
His reply came a few minutes later.
I’m preparing for my examination.
Then another message:
What subjects are you taking today?
Vivienne’s expression brightened.
She typed:
Governance and Political Institutions first, then Economics.
Christopher had taken both subjects during his foundation year.
His answer came shortly afterward.
For Governance, make sure you explain your reasoning rather than simply stating the principle. If there’s an essay question, establish your argument clearly before you begin writing.
Then:
For Economics, don’t rush the calculations. It’s easy to lose marks by overlooking something small when you’re trying to finish quickly.
Vivienne smiled.
She hadn’t asked for advice.
He had simply given it.
Somehow, that made it feel sweeter.
I’ll remember that. Thank you.
His reply was brief.
You’re welcome. Good luck, Vivienne. I’m sure you’ll do well.
She stared at the message for another moment.
Then put her phone away.
She had to go.
And now she was smiling.
--
The first examination passed quickly.
By the time the students were released for their break, the corridors were filled with quiet discussions.
Some students were comparing answers.
Others were deliberately refusing to discuss the examination at all.
Vivienne belonged to the second group.
She didn’t want to know if she’d made a mistake.
She had another examination to prepare for.
She checked her phone only once.
There was no new message.
That was fine.
Christopher was probably preparing for his next examination too.
Vivienne returned to her notes.
--
Economics ended late in the afternoon.
By the time Vivienne returned to her room, she was exhausted.
She changed, washed her face, and sat at her desk.
Only then did she reach for her phone.
She thought of Christopher.
She wanted to know how his examinations had gone.
She typed:
Good evening, Christopher. The first day is finally over. I think both examinations went well. How did yours go?
She sent it.
Then she put the phone aside.
His reply didn’t come immediately.
Vivienne wasn’t surprised.
She opened her notes again.
Nearly an hour later, her phone vibrated.
Good evening, Vivienne. I’m glad to hear yours went well. I think mine went reasonably well too.
A second message followed.
You should get some rest tonight. Tomorrow will come quickly.
Vivienne smiled.
I will. You too. Good night, Christopher.
She placed the phone beside her books.
Tomorrow was another two examinations.
She picked up her pen.
--
Tuesday
By Tuesday morning, Vivienne had already become accustomed to the rhythm.
Study.
Examination.
Break.
Another examination.
And somewhere between all of it, Christopher.
She woke before her alarm and reached for her phone.
This time, she knew exactly what she wanted to say.
Good morning, Christopher. I know you don’t need it, but still, good luck with your examinations today. I have Reading and Composition first, and then Philosophy later this afternoon.
She sent it.
A small smile appeared on her face.
She knew Christopher was an excellent student.
She wasn’t genuinely worried about whether he could handle the examinations.
She simply wanted to wish him luck.
A few minutes later, his reply arrived.
Good morning, Vivienne. Thank you. Good luck with yours as well.
Then:
For Reading and Composition, leave enough time to review your answers. And for Philosophy, don’t be afraid to take a clear position if the question asks you to defend one.
Vivienne smiled.
I’ll remember that. Thank you.
She slipped her phone into her bag.
She truly liked these little exchanges.
Not because they were long.
They weren’t.
But because Christopher asked about her day.
He remembered what she was taking.
And whenever he could, he offered something useful.
It made her feel as though he was paying attention.
--
The day passed in much the same way.
Two examinations.
Another long afternoon.
Another evening spent reviewing for tomorrow.
Vivienne didn’t message him during the examination hours.
Neither did she expect him to message her.
They were both busy.
By the time she finished studying that evening, she picked up her phone.
She typed:
I hope you had a good day. Don’t forget to have a proper dinner before you continue studying.
She sent it.
His reply came much later.
I will. Thank you. I hope you had dinner as well.
Vivienne smiled.
I did. Good night, Christopher. Rest well.
She put the phone down.
Then returned to her notes for another half hour before finally going to bed.
--
Wednesday
Wednesday morning felt different.
Not because the examinations were any easier.
But because they were already halfway through the week.
Vivienne reached for her phone as soon as she woke.
She smiled before typing.
Good morning, Christopher. We’re halfway there! Let’s do our best today. I have History and Geography, so I’m hoping my memory decides to cooperate.
She sent it.
This time, she didn’t immediately put the phone away.
She waited.
A few minutes later:
Good morning, Vivienne. I’m sure your memory will cooperate. Good luck with History and Geography.
Then:
For History, focus on the connections between events rather than trying to remember every detail separately.
Vivienne smiled.
I’ll try.
She paused.
Then added:
And I’ll try not to panic when I see the first question.
Christopher replied:
That would probably be helpful.
Vivienne laughed softly.
There it was.
That little bit of dry humor she was beginning to recognize.
She put her phone away.
--
The examinations consumed most of the day.
By late afternoon, Vivienne could barely remember what day it was.
She had just finished reviewing Geography when she finally checked her phone.
There was a message from Christopher.
How did History go?
Vivienne smiled.
She had told herself she wasn’t going to be pleased every time he asked about her examinations.
She failed.
She typed:
Better than I expected. Geography was more tiring.
His reply didn’t come until much later.
I’m glad History went well. Get some rest when you can.
Vivienne smiled.
She didn’t answer immediately.
Instead, she closed her books.
Then, before sleeping, she sent:
Good night, Christopher. Don’t strain your eyes over those notes.
She smiled at her own message.
His reply arrived some time later.
Good night, Vivienne. You should take your own advice.
Vivienne laughed quietly.
I am.
She placed the phone beside her pillow.
--