Seventy Five Percent

[Lamps]

[Meela Paireerak enters the Pregame]

75%? 75%?!

How did this happen? She got 92 on the paper before this, why the hell did she go down? Sure, maybe she'd been slacking a little on study time recently -- she only read through the supplementary material once a day, twice on weekends, in addition to the recommended textbooks. Yes, that had to be it. It's definitely unrelated to those all-night sessions of Stellaris she pulled in the weeks leading up to the deadline. Definitely.

Meela sits with her face practically glued to a world history encyclopedia, her eyes intently scanning the text. Words burn themselves into her memory as she scrawls barely intelligible notes with her right hand whilst turning to the next page with her left. 'Precolonial Africa - the Bantu Expansion' was the chapter she was currently on, covering the migrations of the Bantu-speaking peoples in West and Central Africa throughout the continent, influencing culture and language as far as modern-day Madagascar. This was one area of history she didn't know too much about. Perhaps a completely fresh topic could help her get back into the swing of things. Bring those scores up back to where they're supposed to be.

She saw that flier about some tutoring session that was supposed to be happening here today -- she wasn't interested. If she was going to get better, she had to figure this out herself. Using her own brain. That's how it's always been. Group study sessions are just excuses to chat anyway, no one actually gets anything done at those things. At least, that's what she assumes.

She stops scribbling to take a bite from her sandwich -- chicken salad with sweet chili sauce. Homemade. Meela exhales through her nose as she chews, taking time to readjust her glasses. Fucking 75%. Meela doesn't get 75%, not in HISTORY. Meela swallows her food with gumption, before turning to the next page to resume her note-taking.

[JacobAllTradez]

If Meela was hoping to get a bit of studying in, then she was in for a rude awakening. One from a German-American who was bright, beautiful, smart...

...and loud...

"HELLO LIBRARY, YOUR WONDERFUL GENIUS HAS ARRIVED!"

[Rita Schnell enters the pregame]

Rita skipped inside the library with a bold smile plastered on her face, carrying her own test paper around like it was a trophy, blissfully unaware of the amount of people shushing her and the dirty glares that now came her way. To her, none of it mattered, for she had done something truly remarkable. Something that few others in her class could boast about, even for a molecule of time...

She got a 100 on her most recent test.

Now, this was more than typical for any student in Red Rock High, a 100% was something to be expected from everyone, even the disadvantaged (economically, physically or mentally). But when Rita got a perfect score on anything, she would be the first to shout it out to the world. In her mind, it was further proof that she was more than just a pretty face (although she'd be the first to ask how her face looked when wearing something new). Still, she wasn't conceited or arrogant about it!

"I'm such a genius, a super smarty genius..."

...okay, not overtly at least.

Rita quietly sang to herself, gently swaying her paper left and right, skipping up to the nearest table she could find. When she came towards that table, however, her eyes motioned towards the lump of disgruntled clay sitting on a chair, reading her textbook and jotting down as many facts as possible, maybe letting out a few grunts and grumbles. Rita placed her test paper on the other side of the table, putting a finger on her chin, observing the figure as she read to herself, her slumped exterior and the clear grimace she had.

At that very moment, Rita thought to herself on what might have caused it. Was this person having problems at school? Was a class giving them some sort of trouble? Were they failing? For a brief moment, there was a hint of sadness that poked through her peppy interior. That poor woman, possibly with all the potential in the world, was more than likely struggling badly to keep up with her schoolwork.

But did she need to?

Rita glanced over at her test paper, then towards Meela, switching back and forth until finally, an idea came to mind: 'If I could get a perfect score on a test, perhaps I can help this woman do the same?'

The grin slowly returned to Rita's face as she slid over toward the chair nearest to her, scooting towards Meela and swiping a glance at her textbook, something about Bantu-speaking people, particularly from Central and West Africa, it sure seemed interesting, that's for sure. But of course, Rita could not officially start this makeshift tutoring session without at least introducing herself to Meela! She glanced up at the hard-at-work woman, her smile becoming more professional as she waved at Meela.

"Hello madame! Are you in need of some assistance?"

[Lamps]

Meela stops writing. Without so much as looking up, she could sense the presence of another human being mere inches away from her.

'Great', she thought. 'Like I haven't got enough going on. Why'd they have to sit next to me? We're not even supposed to talk this loud, this is a library.'. Meela's eyes dart over to Rita, pen still in hand.

"Uhh... I'm good, I think." Meela says quietly, masking her visceral reaction behind a neutral face. "I'm kinda busy actually. Also, people are trying to work so could you be a little quieter please?". Before she could escape back into her solo study session, the score on Rita's paper catches her eye.

One... one-hundred, huh? Yeah, that makes her feel better. SO much better. Not only was this girl bothering her personally but she just had to laud her perfect goddamn score around too. She looks back at Rita, still stone-faced but holding back a raging storm.

[JacobAllTradez]

Meela stops writing. Without so much as looking up, she could sense the presence of another human being mere inches away from her.

'Great', she thought. 'Like I haven't got enough going on. Why'd they have to sit next to me? We're not even supposed to talk this loud, this is a library.'. Meela's eyes dart over to Rita, pen still in hand.

"Uhh... I'm good, I think." Meela says quietly, masking her visceral reaction behind a neutral face. "I'm kinda busy actually. Also, people are trying to work so could you be a little quieter please?". Before she could escape back into her solo study session, the score on Rita's paper catches her eye.

One... one-hundred, huh? Yeah, that makes her feel better. SO much better. Not only was this girl bothering her personally but she just had to laud her perfect goddamn score around too. She looks back at Rita, still stone-faced but holding back a raging storm.

Rita tilted her head rightward.

"Are you sure? I couldn't help but notice you were busy reading your textbook and, seeing how stressed you were, I'd figure I give you some assistance." Rita nodded, before glancing towards her test paper.

"Oh, you saw my test paper?" Rita chuckled to herself, brushing back her hair. "Yes, I'm most excited about my 100, as well. Not sure if it's enough for me to throw one of my famous house parties, buuuut..."

Rita paused for a moment before shrugged.

"Aaaah, I'll save it for another time." Rita said before placing her hand on her hips. "Ooh, speaking of which, you certainly must come to one of my house parties at some point!" Rita exclaimed, bursting with excitement. "I happen to be one of the finest party throwers in all of Red Rock High." She closed her eyes, placing a hand on her chest and flipping her hair back.

"But enough about me, let's help you, ja?" Rita asked, again eyeing Meela's textbook and notes.

[Lamps]

Meela's brain couldn't keep up with Rita. House party? Finest? One of? Huh?

The girl was convinced she'd encountered a real-life Disney princess, only one from a terrible 2000s TV special she'd turn off after 10 minutes. "Wow, uh, thanks I'll... yeah." Meela says before shaking her head -- an attempt to refocus.

"Look, I REALLY don't have time for this right now so like...!" she blurts out, immediately turning her voice down once she realized how loud she just was. Another student turns their head at the mismatched pair -- Meela stares holes into his soul, prompting him to drop the matter quite quickly.

"... if I need your help then, like, I'll ask, okay?" Her demeanor shifts from her initial standoffish-ness, as though accepting her social fate. Meela rolls her eyes, appalled by how much of a pushover she is. " I... I could use a little help actually, maybe. Just, not right this second."

Meela turns the page, entering a new chapter of information. It appears to be an introduction of the Ghana Empire.

[JacobAllTradez]

Meela's brain couldn't keep up with Rita. House party? Finest? One of? Huh?

The girl was convinced she'd encountered a real-life Disney princess, only one from a terrible 2000s TV special she'd turn off after 10 minutes. "Wow, uh, thanks I'll... yeah." Meela says before shaking her head -- an attempt to refocus.

"Look, I REALLY don't have time for this right now so like...!" she blurts out, immediately turning her voice down once she realized how loud she just was. Another student turns their head at the mismatched pair -- Meela stares holes into his soul, prompting him to drop the matter quite quickly.

"... if I need your help then, like, I'll ask, okay?" Her demeanor shifts from her initial standoffish-ness, as though accepting her social fate. Meela rolls her eyes, appalled by how much of a pushover she is. " I... I could use a little help actually, maybe. Just, not right this second."

Meela turns the page, entering a new chapter of information. It appears to be an introduction of the Ghana Empire.

"Yes, of course! Think about it, I'm sure it would be really nice." Rita said, eagerly nodding as Meela attempted to process what she had said before speaking up, having grown tired of the perky girl's advances.

As soon as Meela gave her notice, Rita nodded. "Ah, yes. That is fine. I can help you when you need it." She said, her eyes shifting toward her perfect score. The 100 that made her think she could be a world-class tutor. Perhaps someone out there really did need her help, but not at this time. She let out a small sigh, content with her reserve role...

...and then, she snuck another glance at Meela's textbook. Hm. The Ghanian Empire? She glanced at her test, examining each page in an attempt to find any questions regarding world history. Unfortunately for Rita, there were no questions regarding empires or kings or governments or anything. This was a straight English test, one that tested her reading comprehension and skill set. Sure, it was her best subject, yet it was also not what Meela was studying. A small frown tugged at Rita's face as she gently clasped her hands, lightly bouncing in her seat as she stared at the table, mumbling to herself.

"...you know the Ghanian Empire was really interesting..."

[Lamps]

"Yes, of course! Think about it, I'm sure it would be really nice." Rita said, eagerly nodding as Meela attempted to process what she had said before speaking up, having grown tired of the perky girl's advances.

As soon as Meela gave her notice, Rita nodded. "Ah, yes. That is fine. I can help you when you need it." She said, her eyes shifting toward her perfect score. The 100 that made her think she could be a world-class tutor. Perhaps someone out there really did need her help, but not at this time. She let out a small sigh, content with her reserve role...

...and then, she snuck another glance at Meela's textbook. Hm. The Ghanian Empire? She glanced at her test, examining each page in an attempt to find any questions regarding world history. Unfortunately for Rita, there were no questions regarding empires or kings or governments or anything. This was a straight English test, one that tested her reading comprehension and skill set. Sure, it was her best subject, yet it was also not what Meela was studying. A small frown tugged at Rita's face as she gently clasped her hands, lightly bouncing in her seat as she stared at the table, mumbling to herself.

"...you know the Ghanian Empire was really interesting..."

"Yeah?" Meela asks with cautious curiosity. Rita seemed confident enough in herself, maybe she could back it up with some factual tidbits? It was a long shot, but Meela knew she didn't have much else to rely on at present. "What's interesting about it?"

[JacobAllTradez]

"Yes, of course! Think about it, I'm sure it would be really nice." Rita said, eagerly nodding as Meela attempted to process what she had said before speaking up, having grown tired of the perky girl's advances.

As soon as Meela gave her notice, Rita nodded. "Ah, yes. That is fine. I can help you when you need it." She said, her eyes shifting toward her perfect score. The 100 that made her think she could be a world-class tutor. Perhaps someone out there really did need her help, but not at this time. She let out a small sigh, content with her reserve role...

...and then, she snuck another glance at Meela's textbook. Hm. The Ghanian Empire? She glanced at her test, examining each page in an attempt to find any questions regarding world history. Unfortunately for Rita, there were no questions regarding empires or kings or governments or anything. This was a straight English test, one that tested her reading comprehension and skill set. Sure, it was her best subject, yet it was also not what Meela was studying. A small frown tugged at Rita's face as she gently clasped her hands, lightly bouncing in her seat as she stared at the table, mumbling to herself.

"...you know the Ghanian Empire was really interesting..."

"Yeah?" Meela asks with cautious curiosity. Rita seemed confident enough in herself, maybe she could back it up with some factual tidbits? It was a long shot, but Meela knew she didn't have much else to rely on at present. "What's interesting about it?"

Rita thought to herself, what could she say to Meela that would showcase her intelligence?

"Well, the Ghanian Empire is relatively overlooked in the modern world today, mainly because it came several decades or so after the Roman Empire, but it was started around 100-300 AD. The official dynasty however is unknown, although its earliest remnants date back to Muhammad ibn Musa al-Khwarizmi, way back in 830." Rita stated. While world history wasn't her best subject, she did at least have a solid enough understanding of the concept, enough to rattle off some information regarding Ghana's empire.

[Lamps]

Rita thought to herself, what could she say to Meela that would showcase her intelligence?

"Well, the Ghanian Empire is relatively overlooked in the modern world today, mainly because it came several decades or so after the Roman Empire, but it was started around 100-300 AD. The official dynasty however is unknown, although its earliest remnants date back to Muhammad ibn Musa al-Khwarizmi, way back in 830." Rita stated. While world history wasn't her best subject, she did at least have a solid enough understanding of the concept, enough to rattle off some information regarding Ghana's empire.

Her eyes widened in disbelief. She had to check the page she was on to see if Rita hadn't just read directly from it.

Oh shit. She wasn't cheating. Meela swished through a few pages quickly to verify Rita's statement -- all of it was accurate, from the dates to Al-Khwarizmi's involvement in the recording of early Ghanaian history. She looks back up at her, as a sinner does to a priest. Rita could be her salvation after all.

"Huh... so you're familiar with this?" she asks, readying her writing hand now itching to transcribe Rita's words. "What else do you know?"

She eagerly awaits the next piece of information to jump out of Rita's mouth so she can catch it like a fresh salmon.

[JacobAllTradez]

Rita thought to herself, what could she say to Meela that would showcase her intelligence?

"Well, the Ghanian Empire is relatively overlooked in the modern world today, mainly because it came several decades or so after the Roman Empire, but it was started around 100-300 AD. The official dynasty however is unknown, although its earliest remnants date back to Muhammad ibn Musa al-Khwarizmi, way back in 830." Rita stated. While world history wasn't her best subject, she did at least have a solid enough understanding of the concept, enough to rattle off some information regarding Ghana's empire.

Her eyes widened in disbelief. She had to check the page she was on to see if Rita hadn't just read directly from it.

Oh shit. She wasn't cheating. Meela swished through a few pages quickly to verify Rita's statement -- all of it was accurate, from the dates to Al-Khwarizmi's involvement in the recording of early Ghanaian history. She looks back up at her, as a sinner does to a priest. Rita could be her salvation after all.

"Huh... so you're familiar with this?" she asks, readying her writing hand now itching to transcribe Rita's words. "What else do you know?"

She eagerly awaits the next piece of information to jump out of Rita's mouth so she can catch it like a fresh salmon.

Jackpot. Rita smirked, brushing back her hair. "Oh darling, it's very simple. The Ghanian empire was located between the Sahara and the Senegal and Niger rivers and grew its empire thanks to its shrewd trading of gold for commodities, most notably salt."

Rita again flipped her hair back. "Of course, the Ghanian empire soon declined when the militant Muslim group, the Almorvids joined forces with the Sanhajah and Amazigh to start a holy war in the hopes of bringing Islam to the empire. By 1240, what remained of the empire would be usurped by the empire of Mali and the Mande emperor, Sundiata."

[Lamps]

Jackpot. Rita smirked, brushing back her hair. "Oh darling, it's very simple. The Ghanian empire was located between the Sahara and the Senegal and Niger rivers and grew its empire thanks to its shrewd trading of gold for commodities, most notably salt."

Rita again flipped her hair back. "Of course, the Ghanian empire soon declined when the militant Muslim group, the Almorvids joined forces with the Sanhajah and Amazigh to start a holy war in the hopes of bringing Islam to the empire. By 1240, what remained of the empire would be usurped by the empire of Mali and the Mande emperor, Sundiata."

Her pen was a wildfire spreading ink across the page, scrawling down everything at lightning pace until there was no more room left. She'd watched professionals in their field talk at length about their topic of interest -- somehow, Rita reminded her of them in this exact moment. This girl isn't even STUDYING African history, yet she recalled these events like she'd witnessed them personally. It was... it was spellbinding. Was that admiration welling up inside her?

Crap. She's gonna have to talk to Rita more often, isn't she?

"That... was a lot but I think I got it. Thanks, uh.. sorry, what's your name?" she asked with muted enthusiasm.

[JacobAllTradez]

Jackpot. Rita smirked, brushing back her hair. "Oh darling, it's very simple. The Ghanian empire was located between the Sahara and the Senegal and Niger rivers and grew its empire thanks to its shrewd trading of gold for commodities, most notably salt."

Rita again flipped her hair back. "Of course, the Ghanian empire soon declined when the militant Muslim group, the Almorvids joined forces with the Sanhajah and Amazigh to start a holy war in the hopes of bringing Islam to the empire. By 1240, what remained of the empire would be usurped by the empire of Mali and the Mande emperor, Sundiata."

Her pen was a wildfire spreading ink across the page, scrawling down everything at lightning pace until there was no more room left. She'd watched professionals in their field talk at length about their topic of interest -- somehow, Rita reminded her of them in this exact moment. This girl isn't even STUDYING African history, yet she recalled these events like she'd witnessed them personally. It was... it was spellbinding. Was that admiration welling up inside her?

Crap. She's gonna have to talk to Rita more often, isn't she?

"That... was a lot but I think I got it. Thanks, uh.. sorry, what's your name?" she asked with muted enthusiasm.

Rita could help but beam proudly as Meela began scribbling through her notes like a racecar driver hurtling towards the finish line. Whether Meela knew this or not, Rita had successfully helped her out of a jam. Now she'd know more about the Ghanian empire than she'd knew what to do with.

Rita would not give the assist to Britannica or Wikipedia, however. This was all her doing, yes sir.

"Rita," she stated. "Rita Schnell." She gave Meela a bold, proud grin. "Now you see that I am brainy as well as beautiful." Rita patted Meela on the back. "And you are certain to get an A on your next test!"

At that point, Rita had to take pause. "Speaking of which, if you don't mind me asking...what was your score on the last test, anyway?"

[Lamps]

Rita could help but beam proudly as Meela began scribbling through her notes like a racecar driver hurtling towards the finish line. Whether Meela knew this or not, Rita had successfully helped her out of a jam. Now she'd know more about the Ghanian empire than she'd knew what to do with.

Rita would not give the assist to Britannica or Wikipedia, however. This was all her doing, yes sir.

"Rita," she stated. "Rita Schnell." She gave Meela a bold, proud grin. "Now you see that I am brainy as well as beautiful." Rita patted Meela on the back. "And you are certain to get an A on your next test!"

At that point, Rita had to take pause. "Speaking of which, if you don't mind me asking...what was your score on the last test, anyway?"

Meela wasn't prepared for that pat. She sat there silent, staring down at the floor as she found it near impossible to look Rita in the eye. Then she realized how stupid she must seem and tried to snap out of it immediately.

"S-sev- uh, s- ss-" She couldn't get the words out. What was wrong with her? Just tell Rita your score, idio-

"You know, it was bad! It was really bad and a fluke and not worth talking about at all. I just slacked off, that's all that happened and-" Her voice was back to eleven again, the librarian unleashing a swift and decisive 'shush' in her direction. Meela went quiet. She closed her eyes -- the stress was coming back to her. As dumb as it was to care this much about a small test, it felt like re-opening a scab. 75%. She tried her damn best and got 75%.

... but she couldn't worry about that now. This next assignment was what mattered and, at the very least, she's a little more prepared. She opened her eyes again, closing her notebook. "... but thanks. Thanks Rita, you were a great help. I'll... let you know if I get an A? Or something."

[JacobAllTradez]

Rita winced as Meela struggled to get the words out of her mouth. “Ah, say no more dear. For whilst I myself have never had to dear with the horrors of a seven percent, I can understand the feeling of failure. It is a truly a very…faily feeling.” Well, isn’t she a master wordsmith?

“But of course!” Rita said as she turned around and flipped her hair once more, leaning towards the floor as she did. “If you indeed get that A, you must tell me more of it, and perhaps I can arrange a party for you!” Rita pauses, examining Meela’s face. “We’ll have to do a bit of work on your face, of course, sharpen you up as best we can but anyone can be beautiful!”

Rita stood up, placing a hand in her chest, soaking in her vanity for all it was worth. “Just ask me about that when you get the chance, yeh darling?”

[Lamps]

"..."

Meela packs her stuff. Quickly. She slings her bag over her back, resisting the urge to whack Rita over the head with it.

"Sure thing." she says flatly. She turns to leave, almost bumping into a pillar in the process. Stopping mere inches from total collision, she side-steps it to the left like an ungraceful machine.

"..."

She makes her way out of the library without another word. Inside her head, however, a thousand questions circle around in her brain. 'What's wrong with my face?', 'Do I actually like this person or do I just hate/tolerate her at alternate intervals?' and 'What IS Rita?' are just a few. Perhaps one day she'll find answers to these questions.

[Continued in TBC]