B e s t
F r i e n d s
by
Lily Parks

Video by Max Fischer:

These two seemingly different subjects had an extraordinary way of bringing them closer, for both Siva and Alec were as competitive as they were supportive.
  One sunny afternoon, following a game of tennis, they were sitting on the front porch of Alec's house, their backpacks filled with math problems and science experiments, when Siva looked up at the sky and said, "Alec, I had the most amazing dream last night. I want to be a scientist, and I'm going to discover something incredible that will change the world."

Alec, never one to back down from a friendly competition, grinned and replied, "That's awesome, Siva! I'm going to become a math teacher and inspire countless young minds to love numbers as much as we do." With that, their friendly rivalry began.
  They spent hours after school challenging each other with complex math problems and brainstorming scientific experiments. Their late-night discussions often led to the most extraordinary and, sometimes, hilariously bizarre conclusions.

During one of their epic late-night debates, Siva could not contain his excitement and blurted out, "Imagine, I could construct a rocket ship that zips through the solar system at the speed of light, reaching the farthest reaches in mere minutes!" The absurdity of the notion hit them both like a comic punchline, and they erupted into uncontrollable laughter.
  "Ho ho ho ho," Alec chortled. "If you pulled that off, you'd be the wealthiest kid in the universe!"

He managed to gasp out these words between fits of laughter. Siva, doubled over and clutching his belly, replied, "Ha ha ha ha, do you really think so?" Their laughter echoed through the night, blending with the stars as they shared this whimsical dream, wrapped in the warmth of their shared humor.
  Alec glanced at his watch, and his eyes widened as he exclaimed, "Oh, my goodness! It's getting late!" With a sudden burst of energy, he leaped to his feet and swiftly gathered his belongings and in flash he was out the door of Siva's house.

As the sands of time flowed, Siva and Alec's interests matured like fine wine. Siva's bedroom morphed into a magical laboratory, bubbling with beakers, and brimming with the enigmatic glow of experiments, while Alec's sanctuary resembled a mathematician's treasure trove, where math books lined the shelves, and whiteboards bore witness to the ever-expanding universe of euations. Their parents could not help but wonder if their homes

had unwittingly become secret lairs for unraveling the mysteries of the cosmos.
  Alec and Siva were known as the dynamic duo of equations and experiments at school, diving headfirst into math and science like two young wizards perfecting their spells. Their enthusiasm for these subjects was boundless, but when it came to the likes of social studies and literature, they found themselves in a world they would rather skip.
  In the enchanted land of high

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school, where the curriculum was a mixed bag of knowledge, the mystical sages known as teachers often grumbled to the parents about Alec and Siva's neglect of these "boring" subjects. While the teachers marveled at the boys' unwavering passion for math and science, they sounded the clarion call to the parents, reminding them of the magical decree that insisted one must conjure passing grades in all subjects to attain the coveted graduation scroll.

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The parents of our two aspiring alchemists were exceptionally understanding, their love for their sons as vast as the cosmos. They wholeheartedly embraced their interests, but every so often, they had to don their parental robes and nudge the boys toward the dusty tomes of social studies and the colorful tapestries of literature. Alec and Siva, much like grumpy dragons guarding their treasure, begrudgingly agreed to delve into these subjects, their hearts secretly yearning for the potions of math and the spells of science.

Time danced by, twirling through the days and months, as if it were a mischievous jester, bestowing its favors exclusively upon the realms of math and science, while casting lackluster spells over the other subjects.
  The boys were like magicians, conjuring perfect scores from the subjects they adored, which came as no surprise. But alas, their wands failed to spark much magic in the subjects that failed to capture their hearts and minds.

Their report card, much like a treasure chest of mixed enchantments, held within it both shining distinctions and withering curses, a patchwork quilt of academic fortunes.
  Alec and Siva, however, were no straight-A sorcerers, and yet, they wore their scholarly robes with pride, for their spirits remained as unyielding as a dragon's scales and their wit as sharp as dragon claws.
  The greatest challenge of their young lives lay ahead and it was quickly approaching.

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The long-anticipated high school exit exams had finally arrived, heralding the moment when final year students poured their academic hearts into one final endeavor of their secondary education. This time of year, was a nail-biting spectacle, leaving parents and children teetering on the precipice of their academic destinies. It marked a momentous milestone in the lives of these young scholars.
  As Alec and Siva strolled confidently into the examination rooms, their parents could not help but worry about their performance.

The government's education department oversaw these extensive exams, which unfolded over several weeks. Each day saw thousands of young minds tackling one of the twelve available subjects. Students were required to sit for a minimum of five and no more than nine subjects, a feat only the most ambitious dared to undertake.
  Alec and Siva, however, chose to tread a lighter academic path, opting for just six subjects. This allowed them to channel their focus on what they loved most: the enchanting worlds of math and science.

For two weeks straight, the doors to the examination halls swung open like the gates to a scholarly battlefield. Children entered, taking their preassigned seats, and the doors sealed behind them. Armed with pens, paper, calculators, and formula sheets where allowed, they embarked on their academic quests.
  This period was special for Alec and Siva. They knew their strengths and weaknesses well. On exam day they would wish each other good luck as they crossed the examination hall door threshold.

“Good luck my friend” Alec would mutter. “All the best to you too!” Siva would reply. They would go through a series of handshakes and fist bumps which looked like wizardry to nearby onlooker before heading to their assigned seats.
  On one of these whimsical occasions, their schoolmate Sarai bore witness to the peculiar pre-exam routine of the boys and could not help but exclaim, "You both are so peculiar!" The boys turned to Sarai and then glanced at each other before letting out a hearty chuckle.

"I don’t understand you two. How can you be so relaxed at a time like this?" Sarai persisted, her voice trembling with the weight of the moment. "These exams are the most crucial tests of our lives!" Alec, a master of jest and sage advice, could not resist imparting his wisdom to Sarai. "You see, Sarai, these exams are but a single star in our boundless constellation of opportunities. We are young and unburdened, filled with dreams and aspirations. If we stumble today, there's always tomorrow to rise anew."

Silence came over the group after Alec’s little pep talk, only to be broken when Siva blurted out “…Yeah, what he said!” with a silly grin on his face.
  Sarai found herself somewhat perplexed by Alec's cryptic response. All she could do was shake her head, still filled with her own pre-exam jitters, and venture into the examination room, leaving behind the enigmatic words of her friends.
  Unsurprisingly, the boys breezed through the math and science sections, often being the

first to complete the tasks, leaving the examination halls with boundless energy and an insatiable appetite for more. As for the other subjects, they would labor through the full allotted time, often emerging from the rooms as the last warriors, weary but resolute.

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Hooray! The grueling two-week exam marathon had finally come to an end. With that, the children were granted a well-deserved respite for the remainder of the academic year, as they eagerly sauntered into the embrace of the impending summer break. Months lay ahead before the exam results would return, sparing the young exam-takers from fretting for the time being.
  While school attendance remained mandatory, the atmosphere had shifted,

and the children were free to frolic and amuse themselves.
  Some engaged in spirited bouts of football or tennis, reveling in the spirit of sportsmanship. Others sought refuge in the quiet corners of the library, where board games and books wove their own enchantments.
  Yet, Alec and Siva, ever the adventurous spirits, found themselves drawn to the laboratories like moths to a scientific flame. There, they conducted further experiments under the watchful eyes of their teachers,

sometimes requiring a gentle nudge to encourage them to embrace the great outdoors. "Off you go, lads! It's time to flex those athletic muscles," Mr. Shani, their science teacher, would exclaim. "Remember, all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy!" Mrs. Patrice, the lab assistant, would chime in.
  In a playful spirit, Siva and Alec would readily heed their teachers' requests, for in their hearts, they held an equal affection for both the thrill of scientific discovery and the joy of athletic endeavors.

END