Chapter Text
HYEON-SEO YEAR IV ANNUAL MIDDLE TERM EXAM RESULTS
AVG: 580 - 700
1. Park Chanyeol 698 - 700
2. Byun Baekhyun 695 - 700
3. Kim Hyunjin 687 - 700
4. Park Chaeyoung 682 - 700
5. Kim Wonpil 681 - 700
If this were some kind of high school comedy movie, this would be the part where the protagonist, looking over the undesired results in disappointment, lets out an exasperated-
"Ugh."
Ever since highschool had started, Park Chanyeol was the name to score first place on every single exam. Every. Single. Fucking. Exam. Beginning term, middle term, and the ending term exams of first, second, and third year. Of course, since it was currently the end and results of the fourth year mid-term exams, the final - and most important - ones haven't occurred yet. But the outcome was inevitable anyway.
And Baekhyun hated that.
Before highschool, Byun Baekhyun was none but the number one student. He had gotten the highest scores on every single assessment. Teachers praised him, kids envied him, and parents wished that the successful child was their own (which once led to a near kidnapping situation but that's a story for another time). However, Baekhyun's academic royalty throne was quickly usurped by Park Chanyeol, the new student in their freshman year class.
And he took over.
At first, Baekhyun (with a brief mental breakdown in the bathroom stall) dismissed his second placing in the first year beginning term exam as a fluke. When he achieved second in the mid-terms as well, he assumed this 'Park Chanyeol' guy had some really good luck on the multiple choice part.
However, when the same outcomes outcame, Baekhyun still remaining second place, he, rage filled, began to think the 'Park Chanyeol' was some sort of robot the school had assembled in order to keep him from having too much self esteem (which, obviously, if they actually had it came to no avail). For starters, he had never had the guy in any of his classes, and secondly... who could score better than not Byun Baekhyun, but the Byun Baekhyun?
Only was this conspiracy quelled in his junior year when he finally had classes with the mystery man. He came to find that 'Park Chanyeol' was very quiet, almost too quiet for being a giant and having such large ears. He never talked unless it was to Kim Jongin, a good looking hot-shot who was too dense to see all the girls and guys lining up for him. Otherwise, Chanyeol was as silent as a rock. The only interaction Baekhyun had with the guy were those few times Chanyeol had requested a pencil, to which Baekhyun would scoff and tell him to remember his belongings.
Baekhyun's unrelenting loathe for the guy was fashioned purely of jealousy. Well, to Baekhyun it was something along the lines of Chanyeol was out to get him. But yes, in simpler words: jealousy. Chanyeol seemed to be at least a tiny bit better at Baekhyun in every single thing. Every. Single. Fucking. Thing. It was like he was a superhuman.
In math, Chanyeol, despite not raising his hand often, would sometimes point out Baekhyun's flaws (as he would to others, but of course the belligerent boy didn't see that). In language arts he'd always, in one way or another, surpass Baekhyun's eloquent writing and snatch the teacher's praise. The same deal applied for every other class, especially physical education. Although Baekhyun wasn't the most athletic, he still managed to have an exceeding grade; which fluctuated when he started having classes with the giant who'd beat him at everything.
There was one particularly embarrassing moment when they were playing basketball for the class where Baekhyun had went for a jumpshot but got stuffed harshly by Chanyeol, causing the ball to go flying back at his own face. Forthwith a nosebleed and an enthusiastic OOOOOHHHHH from practically every single other student.
Above all, Baekhyun especially hated that small, genuine smile Chanyeol's countenance would hold whenever he discovered that he had gotten first place on the exams.
Like now.
Lowering from his tippy toes, obscuring the board that was taunting him from his view, Baekhyun stalked over to the giant through the throng of other students trying to see their scores. Another thing Baekhyun hated about him was his height. Why did he get to be so tall? He didn't even have to get close to see the scores. He was also good looking, which made the matter even worse. It was all unfair.
"Yah! You!" The blonde shouted, jabbing a finger at the unsuspecting Chanyeol. He had pretty much snapped. All those years of seeing his name next to the number 2 had finally brought him to confront his assailant. "What is with you?!"
Chanyeol, possessing the I'm-confused-and-a-bit-worried look, furrowed his brows in perplexion. "I... what do you mean?" He spoke with that deep voice Baekhyun -shocker- also loathed.
"What- what do I mean?!" Baekhyun sputtered, throwing in a dry scoff, "I mean, how do you do it? What are you doing? Why are you out to get me like this? Hm? What do you have to say for yourself?" He took a threatening step closer, but realized it probably scared himself more than it did Chanyeol so he backed up. The action went unnoticed.
Chanyeol was unfazed, but quite confused. "You mean... how I get a good score? I study."
"Study?" Baekhyun repeated the word, more quietly, "Study... study..." He looked up to face him. "What is this study you speak of? What does this code word mean?"
"It means to go over your material before the-"
"I know what study means you dumb fucking oaf." Baekhyun hissed, pointing an emphatic arm to the board (and accidentally hitting someone and having to awkwardly apologize before continuing back to the argument; but that's typically omitted in the stories), "What I'm trying to say is that I know you're up to something. May not be I know what, but I know making me fail is all part of your devious little scheme!"
Chanyeol was a bit at a loss for words at the frivolous accusation. "You're... mad because you're second? Second place isn't fail-"
"Yes it is!" Baekhyun blew his bangs out of his eyes, his erratic movements had tousled his appearance. "Second place means I don't I get the scholarship or the trip to Bora Bora!"
Hyeon-Seo, the prestigious high school, annually offered scholarships and an all-expense-paid trip to Bora Bora for the senior that scored the highest on the final exams. It was one of their methods for motivating students to reach for success. Baekhyun had been looking forward to those two things ever since middle school. He doubted Chanyeol even knew about the prizes until this year. Therefore, he deserved it more.
"I-" Chanyeol really didn't know what to say, he didn't want to be mean because it felt like yelling at an angry puppy. But, he reminded himself that Baekhyun wasn't a puppy but rather a bratty - and spoiled - kid, "I'm sorry that you're angry at yourself for not getting first place." He deadpanned. "But you don't need to take it out on me."
Baekhyun gasped rather melodramatically, eyes widening at the insult (despite his several thrown at the other). "You-"
"Sorry," Chanyeol interrupted to the other's mortal shock, "but I need to go." He shook his head, the guy was so childish. Albeit entertaining. If Baekhyun could be such a bitch, why couldn't he just a little? Chanyeol flashed an amiable (read: seeping with passive aggressiveness) smile, "You'll do better next time." He told him, giving the shorter a pat on his blonde head before turning on his heel just before Baekhyun could pop a cap of rage at him.
The latter's arms immediately went to smack the giant off, but before he could do anything Chanyeol was already walking away, leaving him red faced and fuming. Who does he think he is?! "You-" He sputtered, then raising his voice to a shout.
"I'll make sure I'm first place in the final, just you wait!"