Chapter Text
Lamarck sat in his seat, watching as his other classmates rushed to finish their assignments before the teacher came. He didn't need to worry about such matters, merely because he was already done. In a classroom filled with literal geniuses, Lamarck was no different. Despite being fairly new, he was sure that he was better than most people in the class. Excelling in multiple subjects, never once had a failing score, and kept himself away from any affairs that'd lead him straight to the principal's office. He could get... overconfident. At times. In fact, he hated a majority of his classmates for 'being better than him'. But, he never actually did anything or said it to their faces. He just kept it to himself. At that moment, he was just watching his seat mate, Darwin, scramble to finish the assignment.
Just as all of that was happening, the results for the recent Science test were being revealed. Fleming, their Sergeant at Arms (SGT), was passing the papers. "Whadya think you're gonna get?" his seat mate said, as soon as he finished. "Of course a perfect score, what else could it be?" Lamarck said confidently. "didn't you.. not review for this exam?" Darwin questioned. "Well.. yes. But I'm sure that I got a perfect score! It was so easy, I didn't need to double check" he leaned back, arms crossed behind his head. "And besides, it's just genetics anyway. Nothing too important". Fleming approached his chair, slamming the paper onto his desk, revealing... a 9/30!?
"Lamarck." Fleming said sternly. "Our teacher wanted me to talk about your recent decline in grades. Ever since we started our topic in Genetics, she had noticed your... shift in behavior." Lamarck was taken aback by the sudden confrontation alongside possibly the worst grade he's ever gotten. "and what do you expect me to do about it!?" he exclaimed. "Well, from now on, you'll be getting tutored" Fleming answered. Tutored? TUTORED? Never, not once in his life, Ever did Lamarck consider tutoring. And now he's expected to just because he got ONE failing score?! "This is bullshit! You aren't even available most of the time, you can't tutor me!" he objected. "I know. Which is why I'm not the one who will be tutoring you from now on", Fleming paused.. then pointed at another classmate... MENDEL?! "He is."
"WH-WHAT??"
"WHAT?!?!?!?!"
'You have got to be kidding me.' Lamarck thought. Mendel? MENDEL? Out of all people?! Mendel stood up from his chair, heading towards Fleming. "Alex- I'm sorry but I can't tutor right now-! I have a lot to do right now and-" "It's either you two help each other or you'll both get failing grades in the next exam. That's what our teacher said". Mendel's face went up in horror hearing that. As he continued to try explaining to Fleming, Lamarck could only start stressing out. "Geez.. good luck I guess?" Darwin told him, in an attempt of comforting the stressed man.
...
Later during dismissal, as Lamarck was about to go down with his friends, Mendel approached him. "Lamarck-! Or, er- Jean! Which one do you prefer to be called??" his words messing up. "Anyhow- about the tutoring thing-" Mendel went on and on. Oh brother, Lamarck thought. One of his friends, Pasteur, nudged him on the shoulder. "Aww, aren't you two so cute together?" he whispered teasingly. "Shut up! We don't even talk that much together! I'm only doing it now just because I need to better my grades-" Lamarck sighed a breath of frustration. He did NOT want to be with Mendel out of all people. He doesn't even have friends- all he does in his free time is look at the plants in school! And their teacher expects them to study with each other? Is she serious?!
"Ahem- so as I was saying- where do you want to study later? My 'house'- or.. yours?" Mendel asked.
"...Yours. I suppose. I don't think my parents will mind if I stay over."
"Alright- thanks Lamarck!" Mendel said with a smile, before leaving.
That smile.. that.. STUPID smile. "Urgh, what a weirdo! I just can't believe Ms. would allow me to be paired with some- weird ass like him-!" Lamarck complained. "Didn't she also say that he'll be partnering with you for.. the rest of the school year?" mused another of his friends, Roen. "Don't worry Lams- I'm sure you'll find a way to enjoy the rest of the year even if he's your partner!" Darwin said. "Maybe you two might become closer than you expected! In fact... maybe too close-" "Are you INSANE?!? you REALLY need to stop reading those stupid 'fanfic' or whatever-"