#vocabulary for competitive exams

[vidyaguru1]

This video by Vidya Guru is a comprehensive guide to improving your vocabulary for competitive exams such as SSC CGL/CHSL/CPO/MTS, Bank PO/Clerk, NDA/CDS, and others. The video is presented by Tarun Grover, an expert in the field of competitive exam preparation.

The video covers a wide range of topics related to vocabulary, including effective memorization techniques, strategies for learning new words, and tips for developing a stronger vocabulary. You will also learn about the most frequently asked vocabulary questions in these exams and how to tackle them. By the end of the video, you will have a solid understanding of the best methods to improve your vocabulary and be well-prepared for any vocabulary-related question that may come your way in these competitive exams.

To know more, please visit @ https://www.vidyaguru.in

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[advancegkquiz]

General Awareness|Practice Paper for SSC CGL Tier-1|SET- 21

1. One of the leaders who founded the Swaraj Party was

1. Mahatma Gandhi

2. B G Tilak

3. K Kamaraj

4. Chittaranjan Das

Ans : 4

2. The policy of price control in markets was launched by 

1. Shershah

2. Ashoka

3. Akbar

4. Alauddin Khali

Ans : 4

3. Who persuaded the rating of the RIN ( Royal Indian Navy ) to surrender on the 23rd feb 1946 ?

1. Mahatma Gandhi

2. Jawahar Lal Nehru and Maulana Abul Kalam Azad

3. Vallabh Bhai Patel and M A Jinnah

4. Morarji Desai and J B Kriplani

Ans : 3

4. The fundamental right which has been described by Dr. B R Ambedkar as "The heart and soul of the constitution" is the right to

1. Equality

2. Property

3. Freedom of religion 

4. Constitutional Remedies

Ans : 1

5. The non-permanent members of the security council are elected for

1. 1 year

2. 2 year

3. 3 year

4. 4 year

Ans : 2

6. The two basic values of a constitutional Govt. are

1. Stability and Liberty

2. Liberty and Equality

3. Equality and Fraternity

4. Stability and Justice

Ans : 2

7. Deccan Trap areas in Western India largely have

1. Alluvial soil

2. Black soil

3. Red soil

4. Laterite soil

Ans : 2

8. Earth revolves around the sun in an elliptical orbit. Its speed is

1. Greatest when it is farthest from the sun

2. Greatest when it is closest to the sun

3. Remains the same at all points on the orbit

4. Goes on decreasing continuously

Ans : 3

9. The axis of the earth is inclined to the plane of the ecliptic at an angle of 

1. 23.5°

2. 22.5°

3. 66.5°

4. 67.5°

Ans : 3

10. India lies in the hemisphere

1. Northern and Eastern

2. Southern and Eastern

3. Northern and Western

4. None of these

Ans : 1

11. The place which has the longest day and the shortest night on 22nd dec is

1. Chennai

2. Madrid

3. Melbourne

4. Moscow

Ans : 3

12. AGMARK is 

1. A cooperative for egg production

2. Regulated agricultural market

3. Farmer's cooperative

4. A quality guarantee stamp for commodities

Ans : 4

13. A "Transfer Income" is an 

1. Income which is not produced by any production process

2. Income taken away from one person and give over to another

3. Unearned income 

4. Earned income

Ans : 1

14. All of the following are caused by viruses, except

1. Jaundice

2. Influenza

3. Typhoid

4. Mumps

Ans : 3

15. Which one of the following is an element ?

1. Topaz

2. Diamond

3. Ruby

4. Sapphire

Ans : 2

16. Which one of the following is the unit of activity of a radioactive source ?

1. Lux

2. Becquerel

3. Tesla

4. Siemens

Ans : 2

17. Mesons are found in 

1. Gamma rays

2. Laser beam

3. X- rays

4. Cosmic rays

Ans : 4

18. Setting of plaster of paris is 

1. Dehydration

2. Oxidation with atmospheric oxygen

3. Hydration leading to another hydrate

4. Combination with atmospheric CO2

Ans : 2

19. The radioactive element used in heart pacemakers is

1. Uranium

2. Deuterium

3. Plutonium

4. Radium

Ans : 1

20. Which one of the following when dissolved in OH gives hissing sound ?

1. Limestone

2. Slacked lime

3. Soda lime

4. Quicklime

Ans : 1

21. Cloudy nights are warmer compared to nights because clouds mainly

1. Absorb heat from the atmosphere send it towards earth 

2. Prevent cold waves from the sky descending on earth

3. Reflect back the heat given by earth 

4. Produce heat and radiate it towards earth

Ans : 3

22. Which one of the following is also called Stranger gas ?

1. Argon

2. Neon

3. Xenon

4. Nitrous oxide

Ans : 3

23. Laser is a device to produce

1. A beam of white light

2. Coherent light

3. Microwaves

4. X-Rays

Ans : 4

24. Who is called the father of computer ?

1. Charles babbage

2. Stephen Hawking

3. WG Grace

4. John Lennon

Ans : 1

25. NIN ( National Institute of Nutrition ) Central office is located at

1. Hyderabad

2. Mumbai

3. Bengaluru

4. Kolkata

Ans : 1

Let's Study

[robin-evry]

What about Pixie yuu?

Sure thing, ask and you shall receive

𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐈𝐅 𝐘𝐔𝐔 𝐈𝐒 𝐀 𝐏𝐈𝐗𝐈𝐄 🧚‍♂️🧚‍♀️🧚

A pixie is a mythical creature that resembles a mischievous fairy. If you spy some adorable little sprites in green pointed hats sneaking around the woods, you can bet that they're pixies. Pixies appear in folk and fairy tales from the southwest part of England, making minor mischief and dancing in groups.

Pixie Yuu is always buzzing with energy and curiosity, darting from one adventure to the next. They are full of mischievous charm, often pulling harmless pranks on their friends, especially Grim. Their lighthearted nature makes them a joy to be around, but sometimes their antics can get them in trouble.

Despite their whimsical attitude, they are sharp and quick on their feet, both mentally and physically. They have a knack for getting out of tricky situations with their clever thinking and wit.

Like a pixie guardian of nature, they have a deep connection to the environment, especially plants and animals. They takes care of the plants around the school grounds and sometimes communicates with the magical creatures that reside in the woods surrounding Night Raven College.

Can control their size, but their original size is the size of a palm similar towards a fairy. But they can manipulate their size to their liking.

Even tho they have a tiny stature and innocent appearance, They swear like a sailor, they swear as an everyday vocabulary, they also have a sharp tongue throwing insults or roast towards literally anyone no matter who it is. Btw a big fan of yo mama jokes

They also uses every creative, colorful phrase imaginable, often leaving others shocked or laughing. Their favorite exclamations usually include bizarre combinations involving nature, like “By the roots of the cursed oak!” or “Wings of a twisted nettle!”

During the time when riddle insults them during the heartslabyul arc, pixie!yuu release a barrage of swearing and insult towards, causing the entire dorm with their mouth open. Their cursing can almost make him pass out

Best friends with epel, throw insults at each other on a daily basis, but not in a rude way but a way of greeting each other, when they wake up epel message them an insult as a way to say good morning.

Their way of cursing is the way of showing dominance, many savanaclaw students are too afraid to face them. Scared of them to filet by them using their mouth.

They also have bad memories of remembering most of the students names so they use nicknames.

Riddle : "Anger issues / mommies boy"

Leo : "lion furry / Lazy Tail Twitcher"

Azul : "Ursula knock off / calamari

Kalim : "nothing will ever go wrong guy / happy go lucky"

Vil : royal pain in the ass / pretty boy

Idia : otaku human torch/ nerd boy

Malleus : horny guy / dark and broody

They also mistake people's names with others, they always mistake jade and Floyd's name, by calling jade : Floyd as well calling Floyd : jade. The twins find this amusing. ( Reference to the I'm just ken meme, with Ryan Reynolds and odell Beckman junior )

Though Pixie Yuu loves nature, cooking is where their chaotic energy shines. They throw random plants and ingredients into the pot, and somehow, it usually turns out delicious. Their creations are unpredictable, but they have a unique charm—except when they accidentally adds too much pixie dust and causes the food to float!

They often sprinkle a little of their pixie dust on their friends when they need a boost. Whether it’s to help Deuce during exams or to give Riddle a rare moment of carefree joy, they always knows when someone could use a little magical lift.

They challenges Lilia to flying competitions every now and then. Despite Lilia's age and experience, he always seems to find their pixie agility impressive. They never backs down from a good aerial race.

They love playing harmless pranks on their friends and teachers. They'll shrink objects, make things float with their pixie dust, or create tiny illusions to confuse people. Their favorite target is Ace, who never seems to catch on when things go missing or shift around him.

Pixie Yuu has a habit of making cozy little hideaways in places no one else would think of. They been known to sleep in flower petals or inside teacups. Whenever they feeling overwhelmed, they retreats to these small, quiet spots to recharge.

Thanks to their deep connection with nature, they are is the go-to student when anyone needs advice on magical plants. They know how to handle even the most dangerous flora, often with a quick swear and a smack of their hand.

Pixie Yuu’s magic is often unpredictable. A simple spell to help with gardening might accidentally turn the entire garden into a sprawling jungle or on fire. While their intentions are usually good, things tend to spiral out of control quickly, often ending with them swearing like a sailor while trying to fix the mess.

Yuu is fascinated by small, shiny things, and they have a collection of them hidden away in her room. From tiny crystals to miniature figures, if it’s small and glittering, they probably has it. Grim often teases them, calling them a “magpie,” but Yuu just shrugs and says, “Better than hoarding tuna cans like you, furball.”

Yuu has a small entourage of woodland animals who follow them around—rabbits, birds, and squirrels that assist her with tasks or simply keep them company. Grim occasionally gets jealous of how much attention she gets from the animals.

They have a beautiful, translucent wings with a soft glow, similar to those of a dragonfly. They're delicate but strong, and they shimmer in a myriad of colors depending on the light.

When things get intense in a fight, Yuu’s sailor-like mouth is in full effect. Their small size and pixie wings make them a speedy fighter, darting around enemies and cursing them out as they go. Grim swears they once made an opponent surrender purely out of confusion and shock from her language.

They also use their pixie for battle by sprinkling pixie dust on any object that is a heavy, example a dresser and they would just throw the floating heavy object towards the enemy, example them using pixie dust on a table in heartslabyul and throw it on overblot riddle

Their wings give them unparalleled mobility in the air. They are a master of aerial combat, darting around opponents with lightning speed. Their size makes them harder to hit, and they can weave in and out of attacks with ease. Their aerial maneuvers include flips, barrel rolls, and sharp dives that make them a difficult target. While flying, they can strike from different angles, keeping their enemies on their toes. They often taunt them mid-air, yelling or curse at them.

They have deep connection with nature and allow them to control plants and the environment. In battle, they can summon vines to entangle enemies, create walls of thorns for defense, or use flowers that emit calming spores to pacify aggressive foes. They have an attack called “Thorn Whip,” where they lashes out with thorny vines that deal damage while immobilizing the opponent.

They are able to manipulate magic. They have access to various elemental spells, with a particular affinity for wind and earth magic. They can summon gusts of wind to knock enemies off balance or send blasts of wind like invisible slaps their earth magic allows them to create small rock barriers or spike the ground beneath them foes, making them trip or lose balance.

They also have the ability to shrink objects and sometimes even opponents, temporarily reducing them to a comically tiny size. This disorients enemies and renders them nearly harmless while small.

They are also very skilled and a swordmaster. Their sword style mostly focuses on offensive moves by and overpowered the enemies. They are able to catch up with Lilia who's an experienced warrior.

They have pointy ears, this helps them hear from miles that is considered possible, they are also described to be very beautiful by the most of student body.

They also called Lilia an old bat as well a beg of old bones and skins meanwhile they are also a few hundred years old.

[thatfeelinwhenyou]

KINDRED — 33

It’s your final year of highschool, and your only goal is to graduate top of your cohort, as usual. Except as student council president, your advisor can’t seem to leave you alone. What happens when you take Decelis Academy’s top student, their star athlete and put them in front of a camera?

smau + written (5.1k words 💀)

❥･• episode 33 — the bane of my existence

The ceiling of your room is adorned with handwritten notes of keywords you were supposed to memorise for your mid-terms. The notes are large enough for you to easily read them, especially as you lie flat on your back on the bed, as you are now. Throughout the term, you had gradually covered the ceiling with these notes, dedicating the last two weeks before the exam to repeating them over and over again in your head as you drifted off to sleep.

Despite the exams being over, you have yet to take them down to be replaced by new notes you’d be curating for the new term. With nothing but time, you find yourself spending hours staring at the section dedicated to your English Literature notes, wondering why you never noticed it. You can't help but reflect on the 30 minutes before bed that you could have spent memorising the highlighted words. Perhaps then, you wouldn't have fumbled so hard in the vocabulary section, and you wouldn't be in your current predicament—separated from your friends, from Jungwon, forced to skip your own farewell party, and school itself.

You never expected your mother to willingly let you stay home, especially during your final semester at Decelis Academy. You thought she'd prefer you practically living in school. On what grounds did she choose to ground you? Because you ended up second on the scoreboard? That’s bullshit.

As a matter of fact, it seems counterintuitive for her to keep you at home for self-study as a disciplinary action. The situation is baffling to you—as a senior in high school with less than three months left until finals, it doesn't make sense that you're wasting time at home instead of being in school.

In truth, your mother is perplexed, even a bit terrified. But what exactly is she terrified of?

Change, that’s what.

Changes that manifested after Jungwon came into your life. How, instead of returning home late from the library after a long revision session, you now return late after spending the entire day with him. He’s a constant presence; waiting at your gateway, observing as you consciously stroll down the gravel to your doorstep, turning back to thank him for walking you home and bidding him goodbye.

Moreover, you divert your attention from your own studies, putting in extra effort to tutor him so he could compete in his upcoming competition. Instead of sharing the events of your day with your mother, you find yourself engrossed in texting him at the dinner table—something you’ve never dared to do before. She would nag at you over the smallest details, and you no longer quietly listen even if you are in the right, but rather engage by talking back, defending, or justifying yourself.

As a consequence, you've shifted from being at the top of the pyramid to now occupying the second position, trailing behind a library secretary. Yet, it seems like these changes haven't affected you in the slightest.

It feels as though you are finally managing to form your own opinions and make your own decisions. It's as if you no longer need her.

These changes, this departure from the routine she had come to expect, terrifies your mother. The fear of losing the daughter she thought she knew, the fear of a new chapter that doesn’t align with the plans she had envisioned, leaves her bewildered and uneasy.

When she looks at you, she sees a reflection of herself from years ago when she was a student. She recalls the time she met your father, fell in love, and sacrificed her dreams to follow his path and have you, only for him to later abandon both of you to pursue his own endeavours.

So, the mere thought of you, broken and lonely after what she assumes will be Jungwon eventually leaving you, intensifies her hatred for him. The déjà vu becomes too real, and she firmly believes she's doing what's best for you, even if you end up resenting her for it.

At some point, you started living your life for your mother rather than yourself, and you're aware of this subconsciously—the paradox of being both the subject and object in her pursuit of validation. Even then, it’s hard to let go of everything you once believed in altogether.

No, rather, you want to believe it's true. You want to believe your mother is right, and the status quo she has set for you is genuinely for the best:

Your goal is to enter an elite local university.

You aspire to be a doctor.

Mother is not controlling.

You don't need a man to validate your worth.

Which seem rather ironic as you contemplate how, essentially, you are a pawn in your mother’s subconscious quest to prove your father wrong about her. Her motives, however well-intentioned, have inadvertently moulded your path.

It's a narrative in which she’s determined to show that even in his absence, your mother is fully capable of nurturing a child, specifically her child. The belief embedded in her actions is that one day, you will emerge successful, surpassing what she might have achieved had she chosen to pursue her own dreams back then. This belief, however, unravels into a conundrum because, if your mother could turn back time and choose a different path, you wouldn’t be here.

As these thoughts weigh heavily on your mind, you find yourself truly overthinking it. You sit up on the bed, your body leaning against the frame, and your surroundings seem to echo with the gravity of your contemplation.

It's barely past 10 in the morning, and you can't help but wonder about the mundane yet comforting routines of your friends. Beomgyu is probably relieved that Chemistry is over, recalling him perpetually complaining about having the subject for their first period. Chanelle and Yunjin are likely engaged in their usual ritual of placing bets on the lunch menu. Gyuvin is probably sleeping again, and Riki is likely disturbing some poor kid by launching staple bullets from the back of the room.

And then there's Jungwon, perhaps experiencing a quiet sense of relief at your absence, no longer subjected to reminders to pay attention or being shaken awake just as he teeters on the edge of drifting off into dreamland. The vivid details of their potential activities form a contrast to the complex musings clouding your thoughts.

The room, once a sanctuary, now bears the weight of aching tensions. With a sigh, you rise from your bed, a restless energy propelling you forward. Just then, you hear a slight knock against your window.

Wait, your room is on the second floor; what could be banging against it?

Tok. There it is again. The sound echoes throughout your room. You approach the window ledge with apprehension, visibly flinching as a small rock flies towards you, knocking against the glass that separates you from the tiny projectile.

Determined to catch who is disturbing your peace on this calm Friday morning, you march up to your window frame, planning to give whoever it is a piece of your mind. Your gaze follows the direction from where the stone came, and to your surprise, you see Jungwon excitedly waving towards you from behind the giant tree in your front yard.

As you open the window, the sounds and sights of the outside world flood in. The pre-winter morning sun casts a warm glow on the scene, highlighting the details of the landscape outside. The gentle rustle of leaves, distant chirping of birds, and the distant hum of the town come together in a natural symphony of morning sounds. The tranquil scene outside your room stands in opposition to the turmoil within, amplifying the surreal nature of the moment. It's really him.

"Hey! Sorry for the wake-up call. Come on down; I wanna bring you somewhere.” Jungwon’s voice rises above the ambient noise.

“What are you doing here?! Aren’t you supposed to be in school right now?” You attempt to raise your voice just enough, afraid that your mother would overhear.

“I was, until I realised how boring it is without you nagging at me every five seconds. So, I thought I'd bring a little adventure to your day.” The spontaneity of the gesture catches you off guard, momentarily eclipsing the complexities of your internal monologues.

Being deprived of any form of human interaction left you craving, and for a second, you almost accept his proposal without thinking.

“I can’t leave, Won. I’m grounded; my mom is going to kill me if she finds out.”

"Then we'll make sure she doesn't. You'll be back before you even know it, Y/N." The idea is tempting, yes, but you are also unsure if you are ready to face the consequences if, for some reason, things do not go the way you want them to (as always).

"I skipped class for this. I think it shows how much I really miss spending time with you, Y/N."

"As if you never skipped class before we started filming for the documentary." Jungwon sheepishly smiles and subconsciously rubs the back of his neck. The memories of those carefree days filming the documentary flood back, adding a nostalgic touch to the present moment.

You were about to decline for the second time when he skilfully pulls out those cat eyes that you dearly admired. Those captivating eyes that Jungwon knows you can never say "no" to. It's the only efficient method he remembers using to convince you to watch a movie with him everytime he wanted to get out of your long study sessions.

And he's right; those cat eyes works like a damn charm. Because you are now desperately climbing out your window, clinging for dear life against the rusty pipes. As you navigate the unconventional escape route, Jungwon tries hard to suppress his laughter, not wanting to discourage you.

As your feet touch the ground, you become acutely aware of the brisk chill in the air, a stark contrast to the period spent locked up in your makeshift jail cell. Only when you stand before the boy do you fully realise how cold the weather has gotten since the last time you saw him. And unlike Jungwon, who is covered from head to toe, you find yourself in just trousers and an oversized t-shirt.

Promptly, he detects the tiny hairs on your arms standing, and without a moment's hesitation, Jungwon removes his padded jacket, swirling it around your shoulders, instantly enveloping you in warmth.

But It's not just the jacket; it's the proximity of Jungwon that warms you up, his closeness palpable as he adjusts the padding to sit perfectly on the blades of your shoulders. You can practically feel his breath on your neck as he fusses with the collar.

As he fidgets with the article of clothing, Jungwon's actions appear purposeful, yet in reality, he is merely using it as an excuse to draw even closer to you. But he’s not the only one taking advantage of the moment, though, as you seize the opportunity to embrace him. Your arms winding around his waist beneath his uniform blazer and you softly whisper a grateful "Thank you," eliciting a subtle shiver that courses down his spine.

"For what? I’m only lending it to you, you already have a few of my hoodies stocked up. Which reminds me, when are you returning them?" You pinch his sides playfully, and he flinches, the playful exchange bringing the two of you even closer. As if there were any more space between you in the first place.

“I’ll return them back to you, soon. But that’s not what I was referring to.”

“Then, you’re grateful for… making you climb down some rusty-ass pipes?”

"No, you idiot. Thank you for coming to see me. I missed you, really, more than you think. You have no idea how close I was to just running over to you.” The emotions from having the opportunities to spend time with the boy ripped away from you must have been stronger than you thought for those words to come out of you like that. Jungwon senses this, and you feel him tighten around the frame of your body.

"Then, it’s a good thing that I ran over here first.”Jungwon gently pushes you away with a heavy heart. Moving away the few strands of hair stuck onto your cheeks that are turning a shade of rosy pink, most likely from the cold (or not).

The pace picks up again as he locates the palm of your hand, intertwining his fingers with yours,“Let's get out of here before your mom finds us." Luckily for the two of you, you manage to get away with your secret rendezvous, at least for now, and you can only pray that it stays this way.

The world beyond your little bubble beckons, but in this moment, the connection between you and Jungwon feels like the only reality that matters.

Time with Jungwon feels like a pocket universe where seconds slip away unnoticed. Before you know it, the sun slowly begins to dip beyond the horizon, ushering in the cool embrace of the evening air and casting a gentle twilight glow upon the buildings.

The Friday night air is crisp, and the streets come alive with the vibrant energy of the neighbourhood transitioning into its nocturnal rhythm. Jungwon confidently navigates through hidden shortcuts and familiar alleys, the lively sounds of people and distant music replacing the lingering heaviness from your room.

As you walk leisurely through the dimly lit streets, Jungwon animatedly shares anecdotes, laughter, and stories of incidents that unfolded in school during your absence. The glow of street lamps casts a warm ambiance, highlighting the joy in his eyes as he recounts the tales. You are not only relieved to hear that your friends are working hard, but also reassured that the council is thriving under Gunwook's leadership—a responsibility you earnestly insisted on passing down to him.

Eventually, you find yourselves at a serene bench overlooking the river. In the distance, you spot couples on little boats doing whatever couples do on little boats. The two of you sit in a contemplative silence, not awkward, but a kind of loud silence filled with unspoken words—where there is so much to say, but neither of you knows where to start.

Breaking the quietude, Jungwon eagerly rummages through his bag. Curious, you sneak a peek, and a soft giggle escapes your lips at the unconventional contents within. Instead of the expected textbooks, you see a stash of your favourite gummies and an abundance of pencils, which explains why he always has spares on hand whenever you ask for one.

You also spot your fall gloves that you had momentarily forgotten about until now. You recall leaving them with him when it got too uncomfortable for you to wear, and the memory of him playfully nagging you to put them back on, complete with a cute pout when you refused, brings a fond smile to your face.

It’s a touching realisation when you see these tangible tokens. It’s as if little bits and pieces of you and your habits are slowly finding a place in Jungwon’s life. His world, once dominated by Taekwondo, effortlessly accommodates you and the fragments of your existence, just as he seamlessly wove himself into the fabric of your life, which was once burdened with the heavy expectations of achieving stellar grades.

“People might think this is my bag that you’re carrying,” you remark, your tone playful.

"With the amount of things that are yours in here, it might as well be," Jungwon replies, laughter dancing in his warm gaze. He pulls out a hot pack, rubs it between his hands, and extends it to you—another subtle gesture that unleashes an entire zoo inside your stomach. The gentle warmth of the hot pack mirrors the blossoming warmth within as you mumble a quiet “Thank you”.

"Can't believe we'll be graduating soon; it still hasn't hit me just yet," Jungwon says, his voice carrying a tinge of absentminded reflection.

"Believe it or not, sooner or later, reality will come crashing down on you like a meteorite," you jest, attempting to lighten the sudden solemnity of the mood that has settled between you.

"Yeah, then you'll be off to a great local uni, and I'll probably get into the youth Olympics team. Who knows when our paths will cross again?" You turn to look at him, finding his gaze locked onto the calm waters of the river, though you suspect his mind must be anything but calm, straying far from the placid surface of the water.

"I thought we agreed to remain close even after the documentary? You're speaking as if we'll never see each other again," you remark, shuffling closer to him on the bench. The fluttering of your heart intensifies as the skin of your arms comes into contact with his. The connection between you, both physical and emotional, echoes the desire to linger in each other's presence despite the uncertain paths that lie ahead.

"At first, it really was a nightmare having to be around you everywhere," he confesses, leaning forward, his fingers lightly gripping the edge of the bench as he reflects. A tiny pout forms on his thinking face, and you can't help but coo at the endearing sight—a habit you discovered and cherished as you got to know him.

"I don't know if I should be finding that offensive or not," you retort and Jungwon laughs lowly, the husky tone of his voice sending subtle shivers down the back of your neck. "That's why I used 'at first,' idiot."

"But now, I guess it's not that bad to have you around sometimes," he shrugs, attempting to play it cool while ignoring the fact that his heart is pounding relentlessly against his chest.

"Only 'not that bad'? I'm disappointed," you tease, a mischievous sparkle in your eye.

The night envelops both of you in a quiet embrace, the air thick with unexpressed emotions. Jungwon's eyes, once fixed on the distant river, now meet yours. Only this time, there's a vulnerability in his gaze, a silent admission of something more complicated.

"You know," he begins, his voice softer now, carrying a weight of sincerity, "it took me a while to figure out why your presence felt like a storm at first—chaotic and unpredictable. But now, I realise it's more like the calm after the storm. The kind that leaves everything refreshed and new."

Your heart skips a beat at his words, the gravity of his confession sinking in. The atmosphere seems to hold its breath, each passing moment brimming with anticipation as you almost impatiently wait for him to phrase his next words, watching the thoughts flicker across his face as he carefully composed the sentiments in his mind.

"I never expected you to become this important to me," Jungwon continues, his eyes reflecting a mixture of emotions. "But now, imagining my life without you feels like trying to picture a world without sunlight. It's just not the same."

A warm breeze rustles the leaves above, and if there were some stranger watching you right now, you probably wouldn’t even have noticed as you slowly tuned the world around you out. On the contrary, you're acutely aware of the shared space between you on the bench, the closeness that has become second nature.

"I guess what I'm trying to say is... I like having you around. A lot more than 'not that bad,'" he confesses, a shy smile playing on his lips.

Your heart swells with a rush of emotions, and you sense the urgency to respond. "Jungwon, I—" But before you can complete your response, his fingers gently find their way to yours, intertwining them in a silent gesture, as if he's saying you don't owe him anything.

But no, you do owe him everything. You owe him for coming into your mundane excuse of a life and allowing you to realise that sometimes, breaking away from routine is the first step towards discovering your own narrative.

Thus, a smile mirrors his on your face as you say, “I can’t let you say all the cool things yourself. I wanna be cool too.” Jungwon scoffs and you feel his grip on your hand tighten.

"Go on, I'd like to see you try," he challenges, a subtle glint of encouragement in his gaze, knowing you're not one to shy away.

Taking in a deep breath, you confidently look into his eyes as you say what has been on your mind. “Thank you for changing my life, and I don’t ever want to lose you, Yang Jungwon.”

As the echoes of your confession linger in the night air, both of you become aware of the tangible shift in the atmosphere—something profound has unfolded between you. The moonlight paints a soft glow on Jungwon's face, emphasising the earnestness in his eyes, as they remain locked onto yours. The touch of his fingers on yours warms up your skin, a comforting sensation that surpasses any heat pack he could ever give you.

“Okay maybe that wasn’t very cool after all… I just never thought a simple change in routine could lead to all this." You muse, your voice carrying a mixture of awe and gratitude.

"Life has a funny way of surprising us, doesn't it?" Jungwon responds with a playful twinkle in his eyes.

You nod, smiling genuinely. "And I wouldn't have it any other way."

As you sit on the bench, hands still entwined, there's a gentle pause—a moment suspended in time, as if the universe itself is waiting. The world around you, once ordinary, now feels touched by a magical essence, and the stars above seem to glitter with the promise of a future written in a language only both of you understand.

Jungwon leans in, and you can feel the beating of his heart aligning with yours, the soft warmth of his breath as he closes the gap between you. The scent of the night air, infused with a hint of his cologne, adds to the sensory symphony. His lips meet yours in a tender, unhurried motion. It’s a kiss that carries the weight of the world’s expectations on the both of you, only for it to melt away as he smiles against your lips.

Time seems to stand still as you savour the softness of the moment, the warmth of his touch resonating through every fibre of your being. As you sit there, wrapped in the warmth of his lips on yours, the world feels limitless, and the journey ahead, uncertain but exciting. And as you break apart, breathless but filled with an exhilarating warmth, that’s when you realise you have finally come to terms with and chosen to accept your emotions that are now clear to you that it is not borne alone—Yang Jungwon, who was once the bane of your existence, is now the centre of it.

tw! depiction of violence

You smile to yourself as the sweet memory of that magical first kiss plays in your mind like a cherished melody. Your hands remain interlocked with that of Jungwon’s as you walk through the same alley that you came from. The difference being the absence of the vibrant lights of the night market, which had already faded by now, leaving only the soft glow of the moon and the distant street lamps that barely bleed into the alley to guide your way. Yet, you feel safe and protected when you sense Jungwon’s presence beside you.

As you turn a corner, the alley widens, revealing a quieter stretch with fewer distractions. However, just as you start to relax, a familiar voice cuts through the tranquillity.

“Well, well, if it isn’t Y/N. Didn't think we'd run into you two lovebirds tonight. How cute.” Hana's voice, laced with envy, echoes through the alley. She steps into view, flanked by her two loyal lackeys who wear matching smirks.

However, they were not alone as you spot a few familiar faces perched up against the brick wall—they were the same group of boys known to wreak havoc among the underclassmen. You know this having seen their faces in detention multiple times when you were supervising.

You didn’t expect Hana to be hanging around them, it’s like trouble mixing around with even more trouble, a recipe for disaster.

In the dimly lit alley, tension hangs thick in the air as Hana and her lackeys close in, their predatory grins revealing a hunger for confrontation. Jungwon instinctively tightens his grip on your hand, pulling you behind him as he stands his ground, a subtle signal that he's prepared for whatever comes next.

Hana takes a step forward, her voice dripping with malice. “It’s unfortunate really. You skipped a whole week of school; I thought I finally managed to get rid of you, but alas.” Her lackeys snicker, emboldened by their leader's confidence.

You square your shoulders, determined not to let Hana's provocation rattle you. “What’s your problem, Hana?”

Hana's eyes narrow, her jealousy fuelling the fire. "My problem? It's you, Y/N. Always meddling where you don't belong."

In disbelief, you step out of Jungwon’s shadow. “You know what, fuck you. I don’t even remember ever offending you. I also had a really shitty week, and I don’t need you making it worse than it already is, so please just get the fuck out of my face.” The words fly out of your mouth before you can even comprehend, and Jungwon seems to be equally shocked, hearing you curse for the first time. The shock quickly turns into admiration as he smirks at your bold proclamation.

"We're not looking for trouble, Hana. Just let us pass," Jungwon says cautiously, not wanting to provoke Hana any further, but it only seems to rile her up even more.

Hana's frustration mounts, and she takes a step closer to you, invading your personal space. "You think you're so special, Y/N? Jungwon can do so much better than someone like you." The words sting, but you refuse to let her get under your skin. Before you can respond, one of her lackeys makes a move, attempting to grab your arm. Instinctively, Jungwon steps between you and the aggressor, blocking the advance.

Despite their attempts to provoke a reaction, Jungwon remains composed, his experience evidently shining through. The underclassmen, however, aren't as restrained. One of them lunges at Jungwon, but he swiftly sidesteps the attack, using his fast reflexes to evade without retaliating.

However, the group, instigated by their leader's resentment, launch a coordinated attack. One of them goes straight for Jungwon, aiming for his lower abdomen. Despite his fast reflexes, the underclassman manages to land a blow, catching Jungwon off guard.

A sharp pain courses through Jungwon's side as he winces, the surprise attack taking its toll. He stumbles backward, trying to maintain his composure. The underclassmen, emboldened by their success, taunts him. "Looks like your taekwondo skills don't mean much in a real fight, huh?"

You, torn between defending Jungwon and avoiding further escalation, plead with Hana. "This is unnecessary, Hana! We don't want to fight!"

Hana, however, revels in the chaos she's created. This is her way of saying that if she can’t have Jungwon, nobody can—much less lose him to the likes of you.

"You should have thought about that before getting involved with Jungwon." In truth, she never truly liked Jungwon. Just his reputation and the attention she’d get if she managed to crack the academy’s most mysterious boy. Enraged, Hana signals them to continue, escalating the confrontation.

Jungwon, though injured, refuses to retaliate recklessly; something about physical fighting one against a whole group of well-fit boys with a sport designed for self-defense doesn’t seem very smart. Instead, he focuses on defending their attacks, hands wrapped tightly over his head, as he lay cradled on the ground. His determination remains unwavering, but the odds are stacked against him.

The underclassmen, seemingly relentless, taunt Jungwon with malicious glee. "Thought you were tough, huh? Looks like you're nothing even with your precious taekwondo skills."

He shouts for you to run (as if you were about to leave him behind) but you’re forced onto your knees and held in place by her two lackeys. As the scuffle intensifies, the alley echoes with grunts and the shuffle of feet.

The chaos attracts attention, and the distant wail of approaching police sirens grows louder. The approaching alarm prompts Hana and her lackeys to scatter, disappearing into the shadows, leaving behind a battered, bruised and disoriented Jungwon.

As the police car arrives, its flashing lights casting an unsettling glow, you find yourself cradling Jungwon, who is visibly struggling.

“Please tell me you’re okay, Won.” Urgently, you call for an ambulance, realising the severity of his injuries when he could barely reply you.

The journey to the hospital is filled with a heavy silence, broken only by the wail of sirens. Jungwon, laid out on the gurney, appears vulnerable under the harsh hospital lights. His eyes meet yours, conveying gratitude and reassurance amidst the pain. As Jungwon is wheeled into a room for further evaluation, you can't help but reflect on the unexpected turn the night has taken—from stolen kisses to the harsh reality of a hospital emergency room, a scenario straight out of a drama.

The hospital transforms into a surreal space where time seems to both stretch and contract, leaving you suspended in uncertainty. Every passing minute feels like an eternity as you anxiously await any updates on Jungwon's condition.

Your friends, Jungwon’s family, and even his coach start to arrive, having informed them about his condition through Jungwon’s phone that you somehow remembered the passcode to from the last time he told you. The reunion with your friends, especially Chanelle, who runs up to engulf you in a hug, brings a fleeting moment of joy. However, the thought of Jungwon lingers, casting a shadow over the otherwise happy encounter.

Finally, a doctor emerges with updates. Jungwon's injuries are serious, though not life-threatening, requires thorough treatment and a period of recovery. Hearing the news, relief washes over you knowing he will receive the care and medicine he needs. However, your relief is short-lived as the reminder of his upcoming competition the following Saturday floods you with renewed stress.

How can he possibly compete in his current condition? The thought of him being covered in bruises, or worse, questioning if he can even participate at all, weighs heavily on your mind.

The national team coach is going to be there, and Jungwon's entire future hinges on him performing well in that godforsaken competition he worked so hard to compete in.

The unfairness of the situation becomes glaringly evident, casting a shadow over the initial relief. The stress that momentarily lifted now returns with even greater intensity, leaving you grappling with the looming uncertainty of Jungwon's athletic future, and maybe even your own.

prev | masterlist | next

♡。·˚˚· ·˚˚·。♡

authors note: feels like i just wrote a kdrama… as usual i cba to proofread so i apologise yall 🥲

perm taglist. @hajimelvr @s00buwu @urmomssneakylink @grayscorner @bubblytaetae @mrchweeee @artstaeh @sleeping-demons @yuviqik @junsflow @blurryriki @bobabunhee

taglist open! @uuzhanggggggg @jayhoonvroom @en-flirt @missingemobeomgyu @jiawji @ocyeanicc @s7noo @asterizee @nwjws @noascats @yunwonie @saturnmooonxx @enhaz1 @jiaant11 @clairecottenheart @i2lain @miumiuoi @zhounauts @hoey2k @neocockthotology @nanuer @yenqa @ahnneyong @chanhee-hee @yanqiiuver @yujmelon @beomsbeanie @sloobydooburmomjungwon @keiisu @jaeyunniesimp @jiamini @jihanniee @lilriswife4life @i-yeseo

*white = cannot tag

[perhaps-in-anotherdream]

[CN] Victor’s Carbon Pen and Glass Bead Event (Day 1)

⌚ This post contains detailed spoilers for content yet to be released on the global server! ⌚

✦ thursday || friday || saturday || sunday || monday || tuesday || wednesday

【High School Affiliated to Loveland University Second Year (Section 1) Semester Schedule - Thursday】

✄┈┈┈┈┈┈

[Tidbits]: To not break the flow, gonna put the note first– in the first dialogue, Victor’s classmates address him as “老李” (Lao Li)~ the way I hate English vocabulary at times like this LMAO the term “老” here is used as a teasing remark by his classmates to express their respect/ honor for him sarcastically given that not only he’s ahead of the crowd but he acts far too mature beyond his years as well~😂

—

[MATH]:

“Sir Vic, what answer did you get for the second-to-last question?”

“Square root of 2.”

“OK! Now, what option did you choose for the tenth question?”

“I chose option C, but I’m not sure.”

“It should be option A… P is the symmetric point with respect to the straight line x-y=0…”

For the math teacher who loves giving impromptu quizzes, getting the students to engage in discussions during the ten-minute break is also one of their “conspiracies.”

—

[BIOLOGY]:

Looking at the textbook he’s already highlighted with the key points long ago, Victor takes out a collection of competition-grade questions that are carefully sorted to align with the relevant exam topics. As he listens, he begins contemplating the problems.

—

[CHINESE]:

Everyone is on their “best behavior” during the homeroom teacher’s class. The beaming woman is speaking eloquently on the stage, while Victor looks down at a reading comprehension analysis. He finds that he understands it even better than the original writer.

There are so many incomprehensible things in this world.

—

[CHEMISTRY]:

There are less than ten minutes to go until the end of the class. Glancing from afar, Victor notices that Zheng Xi, who is seated near the front door, already seems to be in a stance ready to bolt at any moment. Victor can’t help but feel hungry as he feels himself being infected by the sight.

—

[PHYSICS]:

Is it really possible for anyone to stay alert and not feel sleepy in the first class of the afternoon?

Yes, Victor doesn’t feel sleepy in the slightest.

—

[MUSIC]:

“Aside from focusing on studies, I hope that everyone can enhance their perception of various forms of “aesthetics.” This semester in music class, the teacher aims to create a platform for self-expression, where each student can showcase their talents through musical instrument performances, singing, or dancing. Last week, several students performed exceptionally well. Now, we’ll continue with the presentations in order of student numbers. Up next is student number 23.”

“Does the vice class monitor know how to play the piano?”

“I’m not sure, I’ve never seen him playing it.”

“...”

“...”

“...”

“...Thank you, Victor, for your performance. Music is a form of self-expression. But, next time, perhaps you can also consider singing a song?”

—

[ENGLISH]:

Led by the arrangement of the passionate young teacher, the class is divided into multiple small groups, each assigned to perform different roles based on the textbook content. However––

With a sense of resignation, Victor touches the curly wig on his head and remains silent for a moment. Despite so, he still earnestly delivers the lines of the judge.

“I’m already a mature high school student,” he thinks to himself, feeling at a loss for words.

—

[ENGLISH]:

One of the biggest benefits of the campus activities on Thursday is that Victor can seamlessly participate in the Model United Nations (MUN) right after his English class.

Even if one practices their lines in advance, no one will raise an eyebrow. The school administration teacher is really nice.

──────

✧ next stop: Friday

─────────

[saiilorstars]

Ch. 39: Washed-Up 30s

[Story Masterlist] // [Aitana’s Masterlist]

Fandom: Criminal Minds // Pairing: Spencer Reid x OFC

Taglist: @ocappreciationtag​ @arrthurpendragon​​​​​​​ @maaaaarveeeeel​​​ @stareyedplanet​​​​​​​ @averyhotchner​ @foxesandmagic @kmc1989 @midmourn @caplanbuckybarnes ​​​​​​

If you’d like to be a part of Aitana’s taglist, please let me know!

Also available on Fanfic ○ Ao3 ○ Wattpad

There were times where Aitana felt a lot more of a burnout student and these days, she was definitely feeling the burn. She had been out of the BAU for two weeks to fulfill her classes and a few projects here and there. She eventually returned to the BAU when she felt like her absence had been way too long, but she was still struggling to balance her schoolwork and her job.

San Francisco would have looked a thousand times prettier if she was running on a full night's sleep. She would kill for a coffee right now and then maybe she wouldn't be that irritated with everything.

"The Zodiac killer my ass…" she muttered at the television screen in the conference room.

Penelope, who was on a video call with Aitana, gasped and laughed. "Ooh, somebody needs a cup of coffeeeee," she sing-sang.

Aitana whimpered behind her hands. "I know." She dropped her hands and glanced at the open door that led into the precinct's bullpen. She got up from her chair and went to close it before any of the detectives heard her less than professional language.

"Still tired then?" Penelope said when Aitana returned to her spot at the table. The brunette plonked down on her chair and leaned back to continue resting.

"Well, the jet wasn't exactly the best place for sleep so…yeah, I'm still tired," Aitana replied.

"How's school?"

"Like a bitch.

Penelope's eyebrows raised. "Can tell." The vocabulary change was a big teller.

"My quarterly exams are now and I've been studying like crazy. I'm taking any moment I can." Aitana grabbed her textbooks on the table as evidence. "That, coupled with my dance competition next week is killing me! I don't have a head for anything."

"And yet you're here working," Penelope gestured. "Alone?"

"Nah," Aitana reached for the t.v. control that was just a bit on the edge of the table. She had to stretch a couple seconds. "I got a text from JJ that they were coming back. Emily and Spencer are here too."

"Oh, they're back early from the conference," Penelope remarked. They had been gone for several days which led to a severe understaffing problem within the BAU, prompting Aitana's return as well.

"Rossi and Morgan are on their way back too so we'll all be together quite — oh…" Aitana leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms and legs as she watched a man deliver a very entertaining show.

"What? What!?" Penelope did everything in her power to get a glimpse of whatever Aitana was looking at. Unfortunately, it failed.

"I'm supposed to have a conference with the media in an hour but it looks like someone beat me to it," Aitana said, "This guy's claiming the Zodiac killer is his cousin."

"He's not, right?"

Aitana snorted. "We are not dealing with the actual Zodiac killer, Pen."

"How do you know?"

"It's just simple math, Penelope. And logic. The actual Zodiac killer would be an elderly man. He couldn't possibly have the strength to take down two young people in the car. First of all, he would have a hell of a lot of trouble getting to that hill."

"Sounds like you've thought this well," Penelope said.

Aitana shrugged. "Just thinking. With a frazzled brain but whatever."

Penelope chuckled. "I'm sure you're just fine."

Aitana hummed. She paused when she saw Spencer come into the screen. "Oh, the team's here," she told Penelope then turned the laptop around to finally quell the blonde's curiosity.

"...oh, yeah. Well, for the record, a CD was not sent to the police this morning, and the 'Tragic Overture' was written by Brahms, not Wagner, so luckily, —" Spencer threw a irritable look at the civilian beside him, "—I guess it's not your cousin."

Both Aitana and Penelope snorted.

'The FBI would greatly appreciate it if people would stop making false claims to get their 15 minutes of fame. Thank you…'

"Hmm, I am willing to bet my entire exam grades that Spencer isn't having a good day either," Aitana said afterwards when her laugh allowed her to get a word in.

"That's not very often," Penelope remarked, "I wonder if the conference was bad then?"

Aitana agreed with the thought. It wasn't always that Spencer snapped at anyone, even annoying people like the civilian on t.v. It was a strange sight. "I'll have to ask Emily or something."

~ 0 ~

Aitana had gotten both sets of parents of the victims to come to the precinct to talk to them. She didn't get very much from either set of parents. Both sides were just as upset about the murder and Aitana couldn't blame them.

"No, they weren't being stalked," she reported back to Hotch on their way to the conference room. "Both sets of parents said that neither of their kids felt like they were being stalked."

"Alright," Hotch said, opening the door for them. "We should still go through their social media just in case."

"Yeah, okay," agreed Aitana.

The two walked in and found Spencer working at the table with a decent stack of papers.

"Hey there stranger, I saw you did my job today," Aitana greeted him playfully. He only paused his work out of confusion. Aitana chuckled. "Saw you on t.v. earlier. Penelope did too."

"Hm," Spencer shrugged. Aitana didn't miss the grimness that flickered across Spencer's face. Whether or not Hotch saw it too was left unclear.

"Reid, how's it going?" He came over to Spencer's side to see the progress on the papers.

"Computers slow me down, so I prefer paper, but I wasn't expecting all these comments." It was true; Spencer's pen was making marks every now and then at an incredible speed.

"The computer was slow?" Aitana gaped for a second and shook her head to snap out of her stupor. "What must we look like to you, hmm?"

Spencer stopped again and looked up at her. It took Spencer a couple minutes to be able to focus back on the papers. "I think I just found a cipher from the unsub…" He told the pair a couple minutes later. "The symbols buried in the spam are the same ones the Zodiac used in his first message back in 1969."

"What does it say?" asked Hotch.

"Killing is the most fun you can have 98 minutes below the horizon in magic city with President Garfield. Happy hunting." Even Spencer seemed confused with what he read.

"I think it's time to call Penelope," Aitana announced. She went for the landlines and dialed Penelope's number.

"The oracle is in!" Penelope's chirpy voice filled the room seconds later. "How may I assist?"

Hotch got straight to the point. "Garcia, to what specific location does magic city refer?"

There was a pause while she typed.

"Birmingham, Alabama!"

"98 minutes below the horizon…" Spencer reread the line before asking Penelope another question. "Garcia, what time is sunset there, tonight?"

"6:22!"

"98 minutes there would be 8 p.m.," Spencer told the others after a quick calculation. What's dedicated to President Garfield in San Francisco?" He then asked Penelope.

"President Garfield…" Penelope searched quickly, "There's a statue of him in Golden Gate Park."

"That's where he's going to hit next," Spencer said, rising from his chair.

The team moved out quickly. They needed to be ready by eight and it was already past five. Two young UCs were positioned at a bench in the aforementioned park pretending to talk as a couple. Everyone else was positioned around the park in teams to await the unsub. At around five to eight, a van was starting to pull up behind the 'couple'.

"It's a lone driver," Morgan informed the others through the comms.

Indeed it was just one driver coming out of the car. He was dressed in a black hoodie and seemed to be holding something in his left hand.

"Move in!" Hotch gave the order.

A swarm of agents and detectives surrounded the driver, including the two UCs who pulled their own guns. The driver's hands went up in the air, jumping.

"Drop it!" Hotch ordered the man.

"I'm just the messenger!" The man exclaimed as he let a paper fall to the ground. "I'm supposed to deliver a letter!"

It was an envelope that fell to the grass. Being the closest to it, JJ reached down and picked out up. Her eyebrows raised with apparent confusion as she read the cover. "It's...for Reid."

Hearing his name, Spencer moved over and took the envelope from JJ. He ripped it open to find a message inside. "'You're not as smart as you think you are.'"

"Who sent it?" Hotch demanded from the man.

"I don't know! I just deliver it to the address when I'm supposed to!" To his credit, the man did seem scared beyond belief. This wasn't their unsub.

"If the unsub's not here, where is he?"

That was the million dollar question.

~0~

The very next morning, the precinct got a report of another double homicide. It was at a park and the death hour was around the same hour the FBI had been at the other park last night.

"Tara Hanson was a teacher. Alec Wyseck was a lawyer," Agent Lin of the field office explained to the other agents. "They had dinner at a nearby restaurant and were taking an evening stroll. The M. E. said Alec's throat was slit and he was stabbed twice in the back. Tara was stabbed 20 times in the abdomen and torso. Overkill on the female again."

"She's a brunette, like Nicole Puli," Hotch studied the woman's corpse. She had the same characteristics as the previous female victim. "They both could have been surrogates."

Agent Lin took out a small plastic bag that held a necklace with the name 'Kiki' on it. "He left this on the park bench."

"It's Nicole's," JJ recognized the necklace. "Her nickname was Kiki."

"Hey," Rossi called as he, Aitana and Morgan walked up to the trio, "The courier service said the envelope was left with cash in their drop box."

"The messenger himself had a clean record," added Morgan, "He's a star employee."

"This was a targeted message for an individual," Aitana said, barely stifling a yawn.

"Very different M. O," said Spencer, he and Emily coming to join them. "It's a high vantage point. The victims chose it for the view, the unsub so he could see if anyone was coming." His cellphone went off and seeing that it was Penelope, he stepped away to answer it.

"Hey, boo, I tracked the ISP of the user who entered the spam comment to an Internet cafe, but he used a prepaid credit card, so I don't have an I. D."

"All right, thanks, Garcia." Spencer wouldn't say it out loud but it was virtually useless information without the name of the unsub. He turned back to the group.

"...he used the same code that was broken years ago in a riddle we cracked in seconds," Emily was saying, "He knew we'd solve it. It was a decoy."

"No, it's a taunt," Spencer said grimly, "He wants to prove that he's smarter than everyone. And we fell for it." He fell for it. He thought he'd been smarter and caught the unsub on a careless mistake but it turned out the unsub planned it. "If he's trying to compete with me, then it means he's most likely within 5 years of my age. The question is why."

"But the message might not have been meant for you, Reid," JJ said slowly, presuming what kind of thoughts were running through Spencer's head at the moment.

Spencer certainly took JJ's comment almost indignantly. "A letter was hand-delivered to me last night."

"The comment to the paper was written at 9:03 a.m," JJ countered, "We weren't even in the city yet, so how would the unsub know you'd be involved in the case?"

"You did give your name to the press later that day, and you said yourself he knew we'd be in the park," Emily chimed in. The coincidences weren't very concrete.

"If he's doing his best to emulate the Zodiac, killing in such quick succession would be a mistake," Aitana said, purposely having stayed quiet to withhold any other yawns. "The shortest time span for a Zodiac was two weeks?"

"Maybe the unsub doesn't have a choice," Rossi said suddenly, still thinking about it, "Maybe he's experiencing a time pressure that he has no control over."

It certainly made sense.

~0~

While the team delivered the profile, Penelope did her due diligence and continued scoping out the local cafe areas around them. By the time the team was done, she had a few more possible locations where the unsub might come around next. She still had no name but the locations she came up with did have cameras just in case they got lucky. During their on-street search, they split up to cover more ground.

"Where did —" Aitana could no longer hold in her yawn. "Wasn't there three of us?"

Beside her, Emily smiled teasingly. They walked the street at a quick pace and somehow Aitana hadn't fallen asleep yet. She was a walking zombie. "No sleep yet, huh?"

Aitana shook her head. Another yawn came through. "When I'm not working, I'm doing homework and studying."

"Anything we can help with?"

"Not unless you feel like doing dozens of readings and picking out the important bits for tests?"

Emily's face said it all.

"Yeah, didn't think so," Aitana chuckled. "But seriously, weren't there three of us?"

At that, Emily nodded. "Yeah, there was. Do you feel like there was something wrong with Spencer today and yesterday?"

Aitana snorted. "I'm not that sleepy, Em. Of course there's something wrong with him. I just don't have the social skills to take it head on right now. I barely have the skills to dress myself right now. In fact, I didn't mismatch right?"

Emily laughed as the brunette looked at her current outfit. "No, you're good."

"Goo—" Another yawn slipped through.

Emily laughed a second time. She patted Aitana's shoulder. "C'mon, you need a coffee stat." And seeing their missing partner, she stopped abruptly, causing Aitana to bump into her. She pulled the door open and motioned Aitana to go in. "Double shot espresso for me, please."

Aitana nodded. "Triple for me," she said, covering her mouth to yawn again.

Emily wondered just how tired Aitana was to walk right past Spencer's table without noticing him. Hopefully the coffee would help her.

Emily walked up to Spencer's table and sat down without him even looking up. He was still working on the stack of online comments, specifically the comment of the unsub he missed.

When Emily got the sense Spencer was willing to let them sit there all afternoon in silence, she cut it. "Are you gonna tell me what's up?" Still, Spencer kept working. Enily wondered if the pen movements were even real. "Reid, it's me, c'mon."

Finally, Spencer's pen stopped and he raised his head. "Do you ever wonder if you lived up to expectations?"

Emily's eyebrows raised. It wasn't a question she was expecting. "Mm...I beat them. I figured I'd be a bored socialite by 25."

"I thought I'd cure schizophrenia by the time I was 25."

Emily immediately knew what it was now. It was no secret that Spencer wished he could cure severe illnesses like that, primarily the disease that was slowly taking away his mother from him.

"You know, when I was a kid, people told me that I could do anything…"

"You're afraid you've let people down?"

"No, I'm afraid I've let myself down."

"By not curing schizophrenia?"

"No, just because…" Spencer let out a small sigh. However idiotic and perhaps stupid it sounded, he needed to get it off his chest. "I don't know why I'm in the FBI."

Emily nodded slowly. "I see. You're a genius, but you have the same job as me, Morgan, JJ, Aitana."

"Yeah, exactly — no!" Spencer laughed lightly. "That's not what I'm saying. It's just sometimes—sometimes I kind of get this feeling like maybe I should have done something more with my life."

"Hold old are you?" Emily would've laughed if it wasn't for the situation. Leave it to Spencer to have a midlife crisis early on. "Twenty-nine?"

"I'm 30…"

Emily paused, eyes widening.. "No way. We missed your birthday? Well — why didn't you tell us?

Spencer pursed his lips. He didn't find it to be such a big deal. It wasn't the first time people missed his birthday and besides, they were short staffed and on a case at the time. He couldn't be extreme by pointing out that it had also been his birthday too.

Emily set that aside for the time being, but she was making a mental note of this unfortunate situation. "The fact of the matter is you're young. There's still time."

"By the time Nicola Tesla was 30, he'd already invented the induction motor," Spencer remarked.

At the same time, Aitana came by with two cups of coffee. "Nicola Tesla?" Her nose scrunched. "Everything he built wasn't even given proper credit." She looked between the two who were surprised by her comment. "Yeah, I know stuff too."

Emily smiled, shaking her head.

"And I totally forgot to get sugar, excuse me." Aitana started for the counter again, leaving behind the two coffee cups.

"You know what?" Emily started again, grabbing Spencer's attention. He'd been looking after Aitana. "You might be right. You don't hear that much about child prodigies once they grow up. In fact, most of them turn out average."

"That's not true," Spencer said, eyebrows knitting together. "Are you trying reverse psychology with me?"

"I'm just telling it like it is," Emily raised her hands in defense.

Spencer rolled his eyes. She made him sound ridiculous.

"And you know what? Life is not always about academics, genius," Emily said, leaning forward on the table. "Sometimes there's other things that can make you feel accomplished. In fact, there's plenty of things besides academics, Spencer. Have you ever thought of that?"

Judging by the look on Spencer's face, the answer was 'no'. "All my life, I've just thought about the things that I could fix," he admitted. Fix was always a huge part of his vocabulary, if not all his vocabulary when it came to aspirations and dreams.

Emily thought as much too. "It's okay to want to fix things. I bet that's how a lot of people got started but it's not everything in life. There's other things. There's traveling—"

"Because I already don't do that enough," Spencer cut in with a teasing smile.

Emily deadpanned him but soon lost against her own smile. "Vacation is different. Seriously, when's the last time you took vacation? Gone somewhere outside D.C. just because you wanted to?"

Spencer thought about the question for a couple minutes. He honestly couldn't remember. "I think I'm always working…"

"Aha," nodded Emily. "Well, here's another one, when's the last time you've gone out on a date?"

The thinking process was even shorter with that question. Spencer shrugged.

"Aha," Emily shook her head. "There's more, Spencer. I promise. You can't get stuck thinking about what you did or didn't fix. It's not healthy and you know what? You deserve more than that."

Spencer's head lowered, as did his gaze. "Thanks," he said quietly. It wasn't often he heard things like that. He was aware of his tendency to focus on logic and academics. It was what he did best — everything else was harder. He was pretty sure whenever he did those other things, or attempted to anyways, people would either laugh or think he was weird. Neither option led to appealing consequences so he tended not to try anymore.

"And you know, I bet there is one person you could think to ask out…"

As soon as Emily said that, Spencer let out a low groan. "Don't." The conversation had been going so well…

Emily treaded cautiously for the sake of not losing her honest credibility. "I mean it. You're beyond smart, you can see things too. You and Aitana just...click. I've seen it. Everyone's seen it."

Spencer made to shake his head but ended up catching sight of Aitana at the counter. She was ordering again. Even when she was absolutely exhausted, she still managed to smile brightly. She herself was just a bright, breezy person. If you were around her, there was no way you could be gloomy. Maybe that was the reason he always gravitated towards her.

"Think about it," Emily insisted, albeit gently. This wasn't teasing anymore, this was an actual discussion she wanted to have with him and she needed him to understand that. "You deserve to be happy and you deserve to have someone who makes you happy."

This time, Spencer's gaze lingered on Aitana purposely. She was accepting a new cup of coffee. "What if she doesn't even like me like that?" The words tumbled out of his mouth in a breathy tone, like he was already nervous...like he was already going to ask Aitana.

Emily smiled at him. "I don't think that'll be a problem."

Spencer still wasn't entirely convinced. He stopped altogether when he saw Aitana coming towards them.

"One for you," she presented Spencer with the additional cup she ordered. "I cannot be held responsible for what I remember and don't in my state but I think we should all focus on the fact that I did buy another cup for you." And to top it off, she yawned.

Emily's smile widened at Spencer. He flushed.

"I — you didn't have to," he said quickly.

Aitana shrugged. "No big deal." She then grabbed her cup and took a big gulp.

"Wasn't that hot?" Emily asked with a touch of concern.

Aitana shrugged again. "Honestly at this point, I don't think I'm lucid enough to determine that."

"That — that is concerning," Emily decided, exchanging a look with Spencer. He couldn't help his growing smile.

Aitana nodded. "Yeah, and it also concerns me that those —" one of her fingers lifted off her cup to point at Spencer's paper, "—are strangely becoming more understandable to me. They look like words." She took another big slurp of coffee.

"Yeah, I think I should take you back to the hotel," Emily said. She lingered only to take a peek at what Spencer had scribbled so far on the papers. "Let me see it!" She snatched the papers abruptly, startling Spencer.

"What are you doing!?" He immediately said when she started making her scribbles.

"Well, you just told me yourself that you're washed up. I should take a look at this!"

"Who's washed up?" Aitana asked, taking another drink of her coffee.

"Spencer says he's washed up."

"That's not what I'm saying. It's — seriously, what are you doing!?" Spencer tried taking the pen back at least but Emily swatted his hand away.

Aitana snorted. "Spencer, you are not 'washed up'."

"Exactly!" Emily exclaimed.

"That's not what I meant!" Spencer cried.

"I mean, if that were the case then what must you think about us?" Aitana gestured between herself and Emily. "Don't offend us."

Spencer rolled his eyes. Neither woman was listening to him and most of his attention was on Emily anyways since she continued to mess with his notes. "Give it back!" He finally managed to snatch his paper back and just as he was about to reprimand Emily for her extra notes, he realized it actually helped. "Wait a minute, that's it. The real code is in the words!"

"Huh, so I was right. There were words in that thing. That's another point for me, Dr. Reid. What's our current score again?" Aitana went for another drink when Spencer took that as well. "Hey!"

"You're done," he announced as he handed the cup to Emily.

"Yeah, officially cut off," Emily agreed.

Aitana was a pouting mess leaving the shop. They met with Hotch and JJ who'd been going through the other coffee shops to tell them the news. From there, they headed to the China Weekly Post to gather the latest edition and read the unsub's actual message, which wasn't very much.

"That's the point," Spencer told JJ who'd made the comment. "The unsub has to be beyond smart to write a code like this — profoundly gifted! An I. Q. Of at least 160."

"That changes the profile, then," said Hotch.

"The unsub could still hold a menial or low-level job," Spencer said, meaning to add another reason for the unsub's actions. "It's frustrating. Many believe that beyond an I. Q. Of 120, success is determined by other factors."

In the meantime, Emily was dialing for Penelope and when the one answered, Emily handed the phone right over to Spencer. He was on a streak and nobody wanted to interrupt it. "Garcia, I need you to compile a list of people with I.Q.s of 160 or above in the region. Which is kind of slumming it, 'cause folks can get in with a measly I. Q. Of 130. Also check old school records. We're looking for someone who's in his 20s or 30s!"

"Yeah!" Penelope exclaimed. "Hit you back when I got something!"

"All right!" Spencer said, hanging up and almost tossing Emily her phone back.

"You know this message seems more like ire than anything else," Aitana said, this time managing to stifle her yawn. She and JJ were rereading the encoded message. "'You could do some much better.' So...telenovela. And I should know, I've watched thousands of them."

"It does give that vibe, doesn't it?" JJ said thoughtfully. "And the manager didn't even know who left it. All he said was a white male."

"So descriptive," Aitana rolled her eyes.

"The writer's a genius, but the recipient would have to be, too, in order to decode it," said Spencer, "That can narrow it down."

"Maybe that's the problem," Aitana said with a wry smile, "The person's jealous of their smart friend or partner or whatever because they're dating someone who isn't smart like them."

Before anyone could make a comment about Aitana's supposition, Hotch got a call from Rossi and Morgan that they had a new victim.

~ 0 ~

In a short matter of time, the team deduced the unsub had not only killed a cab driver but also kidnapped somebody in the same car. They split in an effort to gather more information but each one came up with zero.

"We went through all the surveillance footage near the newspaper. There's nothing," Emily told the others when she and JJ met them in the precinct. One whole afternoon wasted on useless video feed.

"Nothing from the bystanders either," Aitana reported as well, "Nobody saw a damn thing even though the cab driver literally picked someone up in a crowded area."

Hotch could only do so much at that point. He gave the women a motion to take a break, only after they all turned around they came to the same sight.

"Has he moved since we left?" JJ asked Hotch in a quiet whisper. Hotch shook his head.

Spencer was sitting cross-legged on a chair directly in front of their evidence board. It was the same position he'd been in earlier in the afternoon, hours ago.

"Spence, you ok?" JJ called gently as they approached him.

"Nothing is accidental," he muttered. "Nothing this unsub does is accidental. The message in the "China Weekly Post" was on page F-4. Why F-4?"

"That's where the classifieds were," Emily shrugged.

"It's more than that."

"You think 'F-4' stands for something?" Aitana raised an eyebrow.

"Maybe…" Spencer got up from his seat and hurried to the table where the newspaper sat. He tossed the useless papers until he found the brief excerpt the unsub left. "See, F-4 is a chess square!" He turned to the others, eyes wide as he finished making the conclusion.

"This is a...chess game?" Aitana repeated. She tapped the side of her head. "I'm sorry, I'm beyond sleepy, did I hear that right?"

Spencer nodded. "He's specifically playing the game 6 of Fischer versus Spassky in 1972, one of the greatest chess matches ever played. The murder locations correspond with the final 3 moves of the game!" To make his point more clear, he left the newspaper behind and picked up a marker. He drew lines on the evidence board pinpointing the locations of the murders."

Bearing that in mind, when they called Penelope, they asked her to modify her list of Zodiac case experts down to those who played chess.

"Yeah. Ok. List is getting smaller and smaller!" Penelope was happy to report until her list went down to absolute zero.

"All right, open it up to high-level amateurs as well," Spencer instructed her.

Half an hour later, Penelope was even happier to report she found a good match. "Get ready to love me more!" She chirped. "I did a search of chess players rated 2, 200 or higher, which would make them Masters but not necessarily professionals. I cross-referenced that search with Zodiac experts and came up with two former chess prodigies and best friends who used to write about the Zodiac in their junior high school newspaper. And I get bonus points because they both have IQs over 160."

"Where are they?" Spencer immediately asked.

"In San Francisco! Caleb Rossmore is a city parks employee. Harvey Morell is an engineer at a Chinese computer firm. He's about to get married, and, yes, I just emailed you all this information right now."

The group grabbed the nearest tablets to open the file up. They went through the two young men's pictures before coming across Harvey's fiancée.

"The fiancee Marisa Devon looks like the two female victims," Emily blinked at the picture of the woman. The dark hair and eyes were a perfect match. "They were surrogates for her."

"Caleb could be jealous of his friend. Or what if he's afraid of losing Harvey?" JJ theorized, prompting Spencer to agree.

"If he was a child prodigy, he may no longer feel special as an adult. He could be trying to hold on to him."

"Harvey's engagement could have been a trigger," Rossi said.

"Reid, I know Spassky conceded the match, but what would the next move have been?" asked Hotch.

Spencer stiffened. He had not thought about that yet. "Uh, Spassky would have been checkmated or he would have lost his Queen."

"Meaning Marisa is in danger," Morgan said, "We need to start looking, and fast."

"Well, Spassky's Queen was in square E-8, so that would land us in Richmond," Spencer said, sparing a glance at the map to double check that he was right. He was.

"Garcia, is there a connection between that location and the two men?" called Hotch.

Penelope made them wait a dutiful moment before being able to answer. "Bingo! Harvey's dad worked there as a chemistry teacher in the sixties. And... oh, uh, Caleb lived there in 2008. He worked at the Powerlinks Gym on Second and Hill and the Dragon Temple Restaurant at 636 Mason."

"All right. JJ Morgan, you go to the gym," Hotch started assigning locations, "We'll check out the restaurant. Serrano, you get the pictures of Caleb and Harvey to Zablonsky and his wife, see if they recognize them."

"What? Why me?" Aitana all but pouted.

"Because it would be complete negligence to let you handle any kind of weapon in your state."

Hotch's bluntness was sometimes pretty useful. Aitana was sure nobody else would've told her that to her face.

"Yeah, alright," she mumbled. A yawn slipped through, ending any kind of desire to argue the matter.

She maintained contact with the team throughout the whole time. She felt productive in that she'd gotten a positive ID on the two men from the Zablonskys. They had interviewed the detective about the Zodiac when they were kids. With the help of Penelope, they were able to dig up more on them. At that, Penelope also made sure they were all patched in at the same time.

"It turns out they wrote a crime beat column in the newspaper for high school," Penelope informed the groups, "One of them stole the photo left at the first crime scene."

"And my money is Caleb left the message for Harvey," Aitana chimed in, "'You could do so much better'". I thought it was for a jealous partner but a close friendship like that can rival it any day."

"But how did Caleb know that Harvey wouldn't turn him in?" asked JJ from their car.

"Caleb has something on him or he's holding the fiancee hostage," Hotch answered easily.

"The missing person in the backseat," Emily made the conclusion first.

"If she's a bride-to-be, she's gotta be on a tight schedule," Aitana said slowly, "Which means...Penelope?"

"Yes?" The blonde in question waited for instructions she knew were coming.

"Let's find out if she had a schedule and if she kept to it!"

"Oh — I like it! I've never been one to think about marriage but I'm good to check out what the schedule would be like!"

"You two do that and call us back," Hotch said, feeling like that was going to turn into a whole other conversation neither group wanted to be a part of.

"Yes!" went the two women in question. Their lines died a second later.

In a short matter of time, Aitana and Penelope went down Marisa's schedule and came to the spot she'd missed.

"She would never just not show up," Aitana shook her head. It was a dress fitting — no bride in their right mind would ever miss that!

"Agreed," Penelope hummed. She dialed them back into the comms. of the rest of the team and together, they informed them they were most likely searching for Marisa as well.

"They're not at the restaurant," JJ informed shortly afterwards.

"It means they're here," Morgan said.

They were only just entering the Powerlinks Gym when they heard commotion. They found Caleb pointing a gun at Harvey and Marisa, or more specifically towards the latter. It was like the team had suspected — Caleb wanted Marisa gone. But as soon as they saw themselves surrounded, Harvey tried his absolute best to keep things under wraps.

Spencer managed to pull the wraps after revealing some things to Caleb, mainly the fact Harvey was planning to leave the country without telling him. After that, Caleb had no qualms revealing where their long ago victim's corpse resided. By the time the team returned to the precinct, Aitana had already assembled the required paperwork and team to retrieve the bones of the young victim.

"I'm not that asleep," she told them with a triumphant grin when they returned.

Of course, it was easier to stand by that when she wasn't in the jet, trying to finish her readings so late at night. Emily was entertaining herself from the opposite seats watching Aitana slowly fall asleep.

"I bet you $20 she won't wake up even when we land," she told Spencer with a smug grin. She was sure she would win.

Spencer sat beside Aitana and snuck a glance at the brunette. She had fallen asleep with her pink highlighter in one hand and her book in the other. It was threatening to fall off her lap.

"I don't think that's a very fair bet," he said to Emily. He would lose, no doubt.

Emily's smile widened. She knew very well he was right. "So, did you think about it?"

Spencer's first instinct was to look around the jet and make sure nobody had overheard. Leave it to Emily to pick the most confined area to talk about that. Thankfully, JJ was asleep on the other side, Morgan had his earphones on and Hotch and Rossi were engulfed in their own conversation at the end of the jet.

"C'mon," Emily said, "Did you?"

"I don't — I don't know," Spencer finally said, "It's not something you can decide on in a couple hours." He really couldn't. With the case, he hadn't really given much thought to the situation anymore. "Plus...I don't even know if it's...real…"

Emily snorted. "Oh, please—"

"It's not a joke!" Spencer exclaimed lightly. He glanced at Aitana to check she was still sleeping. She was. Thoroughly. "We're friends. That's how we've been. Maybe you're just getting into my head."

"I doubt anybody could get into your head, Spencer," Emily said with a shake of her head. "God knows none of us can, even if we tried."

"I don't mean it like that, it's just...I don't want to do anything because I'm being influenced. It can happen subconsciously, you know. Nobody deserves that."

"So what are you going to do, then?"

Spencer shrugged. "I don't really know." It was strange saying those words when he always had plans for everything. The only thing he could think of for the time being was to just wait. He didn't know what he was going to 'wait' for but it felt like the only thing he could do for now. See where things could go - if they could go anywhere.

Emily didn't seem very convinced but she wasn't going to push and cause a disaster. If a disaster were to happen, it wouldn't be because of her.

A couple minutes passed when Aitana made a shift, still very much asleep though. Spencer reached over her very carefully and took the book in her hand before it fell. He then slid her highlighter out of her other hand.

Communications. Such an expansive major and, honestly, not one of Spencer's favorites given that it involved establishing relations with countless groups of people. He was never good at that and he doubted he ever would be.

He started reading the page Aitana left off on and highlighted what he thought would be important to know for the upcoming exams. Aitana told them all about the readings she'd already done so Spencer had a good idea of what she was looking for.

Emily rolled her eyes at him from her seat. He was so oblivious that even he didn't see it.

Aitana moved again and her head lulled against Spencer's shoulder. The latter stiffened for a couple seconds. Emily watched with nothing but amusement.

"Shut. Up," Spencer commanded her.

"It could be a sign…" Emily sing-sung for them.

"No such thing," Spencer dismissed the theory without so much of a look in Emily's way. Still, after a couple minutes of reading again, he was smiling.

~0~

For the next couple days, Aitana was gone again. The team handled a few more cases in her absence, all luckily short and not so far from them. After their current case from Montana, the remaining team came back pretty tired. The idea of having to do paperwork now wasn't very appealing.

"Hey, Spencer?" Emily called the brunette as she joined him in the bullpen. He was about the only one left at the desks from the team. "Hotch wants to talk to you."

"Eee…" Spencer made a face, leaning back in his seat.

Emily didn't take his reaction well. "What's wrong?"

"He probably wants to talk to me about why I've been kind of weird lately." Spencer had done his best to sit through his thoughts and work them out before it became too apparent to the others. Apparently, he hadn't been fast enough.

"You are making a difference, you know, one person at a time," Emily said, sending him a small smile.

"Thank you." Spencer put his pen down after a moment's thought. "You know, I've been thinking a lot lately about why I stayed after Gideon left, why I didn't take any of those other offers."

"Nothing is accidental," Emily reminded him and he nodded.

"And I realized, I don't know, there's just something incredibly right about being here, with you guys." He'd run many scenarios in his head as part of 'working through his thoughts' and when he came across the ones that didn't involve any of his friends, it all seemed very...pointless. No breakfasts with Penelope, no visits to JJ's and seeing Henry, no back and forths with Morgan in their pranks, no challenges with Hotch nor Rossi, and no fish hunting with Aitana. Wherever he imagined himself outside the BAU, it didn't seem to matter if he didn't have his friends.

Emily smiled at Spencer. "Well, I'm glad to hear that. Otherwise this would have been really awkward."

"What would have been really awkward?" Spencer asked, making another face.

Emily made a gesture for him to stand up. He did, albeit slowly, and followed Emily up the small steps. She led him into the conference room and suddenly, everyone was yelling.

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY!"

Spencer genuinely jumped in fright before realizing what was happening. He laughed both out of embarrassment and happiness, but for the first couple minutes it was more embarrassment. He felt lucky he was being engulfed in hugs because otherwise they would've noticed it.

"Almost 40 now," Morgan teased him.

Spencer mimicked Morgan's tone with a laugh to match. "You're older," he reminded Morgan with a smirk.

"We have presents!" Penelope exclaimed in a sing-sung manner as she waved Spencer over to the table. It was indeed full of presents. Spencer didn't think he needed any of them but he knew better than to argue with Penelope about them.

"And I have the caaake!" Aitana came rushing into the room with a pink box in hand and a white spatula tucked under one hand.

Without knowing it, Spencer was slightly happier being surprised with Aitana's sudden presence. She'd been gone for a while again!

"Yay! You made it!" Penelope cheered as Aitana joined them.

"With cake!" Aitana reiterated. She presented Spencer with the pink box with the widest grin her face could make. "I hope you like it!"

"I'm sure I will," Spencer said, taking the box from her and putting it down on the table. As soon as he did, Aitana was throwing her arms around him.

"Happy birthday! I'm so sorry I missed it!" She cried.

"It's alright — you weren't even here," Spencer said, eyes falling on the others who seemed equally guilty over the matter. "We were on a case too, guys. It's fine, really."

"Still," Aitana pulled away from him, revealing an overly concerned expression, "I never forget my friends' birthdays. It might as well be sacrilege for me."

"I swear it's okay," Spencer said with a chuckle, "If you let me open the cake instead of Morgan, all will be forgiven."

"'Instead of Morgan' — what?" Aitana looked back to see Morgan peeking inside the cake box. "HEY!" She smacked Morgan's hand with the spatula and brandished it at him. "Hands off, it's not yours!"

Morgan's hand recoiled to his chest. "What the hell!?"

The others burst into laughter, including Spencer. He'd never seen Morgan so stunned before.

"That hurt, sprinkles!"

Aitana scoffed. "Please, my mother used to hit us with a wooden spoon. Of course if you ask her now, she'll deny it. This—" she waved the spatula beside her, "—is plastic. You'll survive."

Morgan was downright horrified with what he had heard. "We will unpack that later," he warned Aitana.

Aitana rolled her eyes, disregarding such warning. She turned back to Spencer, offering him the spatula. "All yours."

"Uuh, thanks…" Spencer said, struggling not to laugh again. (Morgan didn't look happy at all). He pulled the box closer to him and opened it — he lost against the laugh that time.

The cake was smothered in chocolate icing and rainbow sprinkles. Candles of 30 were placed right at the center.

"Happy birthday!" Aitana cheered, prompting the others to do the same. "Don't worry, it tastes just like a donut!"

Spencer had no doubt about it. He presumed it was a product of her parent's bakery.

"Where's the lighter?" Rossi asked the others. Aitana gasped.

"Dammit, I forgot, it's outside with my bag!"

"Why's your bag outside?" asked JJ curiously and slightly puzzled.

"Because I dropped it in the bullpen when I was coming in and since my hands were full, I couldn't really pick it up, could I?"

JJ had certainly not expected that kind of answer. "O-kay…"

"I'll go get it!" Aitana said quickly. "Open presents in the meantime!" She hurried out the room.

But the others didn't, instead choosing to converse while they waited. Spencer would've gladly been invited but his gaze seemed to linger on the doorway as he waited.

He didn't know at what point he decided to walk out himself, all he knew was that he was walking. Emily saw from the side and smiled with bemusement. He really was too much sometimes.

Spencer found Aitana in the bullpen just as she said she'd be but she was on the phone, picking up a pile on the floor he assumed was her belongings that'd fallen out of her bag. The closer he got to her, the easier it was to hear her conversation but not at all easy to understand. She was speaking in Spanish, and it sounded fast.

"Si, ya se. Llego al rato para verla…" Aitana was picking up the last of her things and putting them in her bag. "Mamá, ya se. Si voy a llegar a tiempo. Adios!" She groaned after hanging up. She wasn't expecting to turn around and bump into Spencer. "Woah!"

"Sorry!" Spencer exclaimed, feeling utterly ridiculous now. What if she thought he was following her?

Aitana merely chuckled. "No worries. I have the lighter." She started rummaging through her bag. "I got held up with my mother's call, sorry."

"No, no, that's fine. Um, are you okay? You sounded, um, upset…"

Aitana nodded but this time her smile struggled to stay.

"Aitana?" Spencer called again. She shook her head.

"No, it's your birthday — well, it was, but I forgot," she muttered. "Like a terrible, horrible friend."

"You weren't even here!"

"That's not the point—"

"And neither is this because we both know you're just making up excuses to not talk about it," Spencer said, hoping Aitana wouldn't get offended. He may have been overstepping.

She sighed. "It's my grandmother," she finally said. "She's coming tomorrow. I told my mom that I'd be coming over to see her."

"Oh, for your competition this weekend?"

"Yes, and I know we talked about it before but I'm still nervous about seeing her again."

"Right," Spencer remembered immediately. The famous grandmother who was coming over from Mexico was made out to be a scary judge.

Aitana passed a hand over her hair. "For one thing, I don't know what I'm going to tell her when she asks why I never called her nor visited her for 3 years. That'll be fun. And then I'll have to figure out how to explain all the other holes in the 3 years I was gone."

"Aitana," Spencer cut in the moment he could, "This sounds less about the competition now and more about your time in Witness Protection."

"...it does, doesn't it?" Aitana bit on her bottom lip. She had no idea when that happened. "But I am still nervous about the competition. I guess it's like one big melting pot."

"I get it," Spencer assured her, bringing one hand over Aitana's shoulder, "But it's like I keep saying, I'm assuming that your grandmother loves you regardless. I think you should breathe — you should always breathe."

Aitana giggled. It was startling for Spencer but nonetheless gratifying.

"I'll try to remember that, I promise," Aitana nodded, "But it's just things that I keep thinking about and it comes out in snarks. My mother's already threatening me if I bring any of that when my grandmother gets here."

"I think you should have some cake," Spencer's suggestion came so nonchalantly that Aitana had to laugh again.

"Well, I do have the lighter," Aitana reminded him, "But I think you should probably blow the candles out. I don't want anything to do with the number '30' — blegh!" She pretended to shutter, prompting Spencer to laugh this time.

"You know you're next, right?"

"Don't you dare talk about that! There's still 3 years left before that happens!"

Spencer plucked the lighter out of Aitana's hand. "Well, let's go, then. I hear sometimes distraction is a good thing when your mind is clouded."

"Speak from experience, then?" Aitana raised an eyebrow at him. "It's no secret you've been pretty unhappy lately. If it counts for anything, I think you're pretty great."

Spencer didn't think that such simple words could have a big effect. He didn't know what to do with himself for a couple minutes.

Aitana smiled at him. "I'm just saying, I think you're being hard on yourself. It's okay to question your life choices but don't go pulling yourself down."

"I do feel better," Spencer said, clearing his throat awkwardly. His face felt warm. "I've been thinking and…wherever I picture myself, it doesn't feel the same if my friends aren't around."

"I'm happy for you," Aitana said, her smile widening, "Really. So…cake?"

"Yeah, of course!" Spencer forgot all about the cake in these minutes. He flushed. "Yeah, yeah, let's go." He motioned Aitana to take the lead.

[rengo-katze]

Smile Again - an IidaMei drabble

Okay but, imagine Tenya telling Mei to hop on his back and cling tightly to him, since he was gonna take her to an inventors' event that she was already very late for because of a mishap that morning with the device she was supposed to showcase.

(A/N: This was inspired by the song "Smile Again" by Rumble Fish [listen below]. Though, I didn't write about the whole Tenya + Mei running scene, you can imagine it when you listen to the song lololol. I'm a bit pressed on time due to work so I maybe lacking in the vocabulary department [I ran low on being a writer and an engineer tonight, I'm sorry really] and I was lazy to write the main prompt above hurr hurr. Anyways, hope this brightens someone's day still ksks.)

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There was a huge technical symposium where Mei is supposed to be competing against other high school support students to be awarded a sponsorship for a start up invention that they will propose then and there at the event. Being the most promising support course student in their sophomore year, she was chosen to be UA's representative and so she poured all her efforts and enthusiasm for this months before the competition.

As she was a friend of Tenya, Ochaco, and Izuku, class 2-A became aware of the upcoming event and offered their well-wishes; also trying to avoid giving her anymore additional work with their support items. Tenya, who was beginning to be especially close to her (and has also been hiding a crush on her for a long time now), visited her frequently at her workshop to help her test her ideas, from conception even up to it being a full-blown contraption.

He came to know her classmates as well when he was with her and realized that a lot of people there regarded her as a genius, a gifted girl for her age, and he can't help his crush on her from deepening. However, he also caught some whisperings about some people being envious or saying snide remarks about her being the teacher's (Power Loader) pet, and how she was short to being astounding; it was all a biased decision. He controlled himself not to confront those people because Mei needed him beside her and adding to the stressfulness of preparing for a competition is the last thing on his mind.

A week before D-day, they tested her newest baby, which was really a baby made just for him: it was a mechanism similar to that of an airplane's that you wear like a vest, that has a reverse thrust to help in braking the speed of heroes with quirks that make them speedy and lose control of that. It was of course intended no to only for him in the long run; people like Izuku, Katsuki, or even Shouto could use it when in battle.

When testing it, it worked perfectly, outstandingly, and safely, much to Tenya's liking. Even if there were midterms and practical exams coming up the next week, Tenya gave at least two hours of his every day that week to test with Mei. When they met, she often had a snack or a full meal with her (if she hasn't eaten lunch yet) that she bought from the cafeteria and she shared with Tenya to thank him for all his efforts. He wasn't expecting anything in return actually, rather than to help her reach her dream little by little, but at that time that her baby had exceeded the limit she thought was supposed to be the limit according to her calculations, Mei couldn't help but hug him back so tightly, and even gave him a quick kiss on the cheek before packing up and bidding their goodbyes. This left him unable to follow her back to the school building and instead, just stood there with a silly crooked smile on his face while his hand touched his cheek for a while. It wasn't when he saw Mei struggling a bit to carry the weight of her toolbox that he snapped out of it and offered to take it from her and walk her back to the workshop. She continued to be her enthusiastic self and didn't even mention anything about the kiss afterwards lol.

But then, at the morning of the symposium, when they were walking towards the workshop and talking about their presentation later that afternoon (he was coming with her as her demo person), they both noticed that the doors were ajar and that wasn't supposed to be, it was too early in the morning for any student to need to be there except for Mei herself. So she and Tenya hurried to the room, only to find Mei's work station in complete chaos: her tools were thrown in every direction, her blueprints (not even related to her competition) were ripped apart, and worst of all, her newest baby was dismantled in a not so graceful way as the vest had its tubes yanked out, its wires cut hurriedly, and the casing having multiple dents on it.

Mei was distraught. For the first time they were together, Tenya saw fear and panic in her eyes and after just a split second, she started crying. Ugly crying, in fact, as she suddenly got on her knees and a string of no's, why's, and my baby's was all she can scream. Tenya was also close to breaking down; all the stress from the previous months they've been developing this has all been for nothing?? But he collected himself, hugged Mei very tightly from behind, and told her that they can figure this out. That they can fix their baby up, that it wasn't over.

That they were still going to the symposium no matter what.

Mei looked at him as if he was just spouting nonsense, but Tenya just smiled reassuringly and softly, and he started to pick up the damaged vest and the tools.

"Mei, I know right now everything seems like a mess, and that it's far from possible for it to work. But I believe we can still make it. You know why? Because it's you. You're Hatsume Mei, the genius inventor who thinks of the most brilliant ideas as fast as she can build those ideas to life. That's you, Mei. So what do you say? Let's get to it."

Mei was speechless, this boy in front of her was making her believe in the impossible and most of all, fuelling her spirit as that crazy inventor who never gave up even when her inventions were literally exploding in the workshop back then. She always could save them, she always had. That was one of her strongest points.

"Okay, Tenya. Thank you, really. There's really more to that jacked-up nerd exterior you're sporting, isn't there?"

"Wha-- What are you saying, Me--"

"Oh yeah, if I'm going to fix this right now, how are we still going to make it in time to the venue? There's only 2 hours left before call time and we're at least a city away!"

She was surprised when she saw Tenya chuckle.

"Mei, I can take you there. What's the use of my quirk when I can't even take you somewhere you need to go to in an emergency?"

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Bonus content:

While working on fixing the vest, a boy from Mei's class walked towards the workshop, commenting on the huge mess that was there and how unlucky Mei was for having a break-in on the day of her competition. Tenya was quick to recognize him as one of the students who gave snide remarks about Mei, and everything instantly made sense.

"My oh my, whoever did this must've really been eyeing you for a long time now, Hatsume," he began. "But maybe you were so comfortable, so easygoing that you never thought your precious inventions would be targerted by an outsider-- WHA-- HEY--"

In a swift motion, Tenya's fist came in contact with the boy's face, sending him tumbling outside the workshop and stunned at what just happened.

"You're-- you're Hatsume's boyfriend, right?? I-I didn't notice you were there--" he sputtered, now holding his cheek anxiously.

Tenya paid no mind to his question, didn't even give him a chance to explain, and crouched to his level, a sharp and deadly glare in his dark blue eyes.

"You made her cry on her most important day.. Do you even know how much of her self she poured into this competition?"

The scared student tried to shrink back more to the wall that his back was against now.

"P-please, I... I didn't do it! It wasn't me-- you don't even have proof! She had it coming, that annoying bitch--!!"

"FUCK YOU."

And that last punch sent the kid to la la land. Tenya stood up, trying to calm his anger, rationalizing things and what else he needed to do. He'll deal with the consequences of injuring a fellow student in school grounds later; the competition comes first.

"Hey, Tenny, that's enough for now. You're getting your hands dirty for something far from important," Mei called him with a sigh from inside the workshop. "Thanks for standing up for me but he's not worth your time."

"I'm sorry, he was just severely in the wrong here. And I couldn't let that pass, after everything..." he tried to relax, sighing as well. "Do you have a sink I can use here?"

Upon glancing at his bloodied knuckles, Mei smiled worriedly at him.

"He's also not worth your detention."

[melhive]

To his classmates Sugawara Kouharu is the cool kendo and language studies club member who always scores really high at exams and has that small but comfortable smile that makes everyone want to befriend him. But to Sugawara Koushi, his younger brother is a grumpy child he loves to pester with humour and affection, to Haru's disgust.

Haru is a competitive overachiever, wanting to be taken seriously and doesn't like to have to ask or admit help. He's a picky eater (unless it's his mother's food), and to Koushi, a weirdo one (but they accuse the other of being the weirdo of the family). Won't do anything at home that he isn't being graded for or won't help him get higher grades. Unless it's piano, the thing he has been playing ever since Elementary School and couldn't fit as a third club activity in his schedule, having to continue to study for himself. Koushi says he's spoiled, Haru says he just won't accept anything less than what he deserves (he is very much spoiled). Fiercely overprotective of his family despite always acting like Koushi is an annoyance to him, he's ready to weaponize his large vocabulary and sarcasm skills in order to keep the creeps away from his brother and mother. To him, they're both too cheerful and kind to a fault, easy to be tricked and used in malicious ways.

Koushi knows in the end Haru wants to bring joy to his family, somehow feeling responsible for everyone, and worries the extent this protectiveness can be productive for him. At the end of the day it doesn't matter how independent his younger brother really is, he's still a child that needs to be loved.

When Haru heard that Koushi wouldn't be the starter setter anymore, he held a high spite against Daichi, accusing him of having not standed for his brother on the thing he loved and trained hard for.

Twitter post Sawamura Family Sawamura siblings character sheets Sawamura siblings comic Niiyama Sawamura Fuyumi

[eliteprepsat]

Preparing for the first year of high school can feel overwhelming, but starting in the summer can help ease the transition. Here are some practical steps to get rising ninth graders ready for this exciting new chapter.

1. Strengthen Academic Skills

High school will build on what you’ve learned in middle school, so it’s crucial to have a strong foundation. In ninth grade, students typically take biology, world history, and algebra or geometry. Use the summer to brush up on subjects where you feel less confident or preview subjects that are new to you. There are plenty of online resources, such as Khan Academy, that offer free courses in various subjects. If working with a live instructor or tutor is better for you, then enroll in a preview class at Elite Prep.

2. Read Regularly

Reading is one of the best ways to improve your comprehension, vocabulary, and critical thinking skills. Furthermore, reading skills are important to many high school subjects, including history, science, and (of course) English language arts. Choose a mix of fiction and non-fiction books to expand your horizons – doing so will not only prepare you academically but also make you a more engaged learner. Check our Recommended Summer Reading List for Ninth Graders.

3. Get Involved in Extracurricular Activities

Explore extracurricular activities that interest you. High schools offer a variety of clubs, sports, and organizations. Summer is a great time to try new things and discover what you’re passionate about. Whether it’s joining a sports team, learning a musical instrument, or volunteering in your community, these activities will help you develop new skills and make new friends.

Furthermore, if you plan to participate in particular extracurricular activities in high school, consider using your summer time to prepare and hone your abilities (e.g., work on past exams for Science Olympiad and math competitions, practice your skills for a sport like basketball and track and field, and learn to code for robotics or website design).

4. Learn Time Management

High school will demand better time management skills than middle school. Start practicing now by setting a schedule for your summer activities. Include time for study, hobbies, and relaxation. Learning to balance these activities will prepare you for the busy high school schedule. Try techniques like the Pomodoro Technique, which involves working for 25 minutes followed by a 5-minute break.

5. Understand High School Expectations

Familiarize yourself with what will be expected of you in high school. Attend any orientation sessions offered by your high school and read through the student handbook. Knowing the school’s rules, dress code, and academic policies will help you adjust more quickly. Talk to older students or siblings about their experiences to get a sense of what to expect.

6. Set Goals

Setting goals can give you a sense of direction and purpose. Think about what you want to achieve in your first year of high school. These could be academic goals, such as maintaining a certain GPA, or personal goals, like joining a club or making new friends. Write down your goals and revisit them regularly to track your progress.

7. Get Organized

High school comes with more responsibilities and a heavier workload. Start by organizing your study space and materials. Create a filing system for your schoolwork and important documents. Invest in a planner or use a digital calendar to keep track of assignments, extracurricular activities, and important dates. Being organized from the start will help you manage your time effectively.

8. Develop Good Study Habits

High school courses will be more challenging, so developing good study habits now will pay off later. Find out what study methods work best for you. Some students prefer studying alone in a quiet environment, while others do better in study groups. Try different techniques like summarizing information, using flashcards, or teaching what you’ve learned to someone else.

Starting high school is a significant milestone, and preparing over the summer can make a big difference. By strengthening your academic skills, reading regularly, getting involved in extracurricular activities, managing your time, understanding high school expectations, setting goals, getting organized, and developing good study habits, you’ll be well-prepared to start high school with confidence and enthusiasm. Enjoy your summer and look forward to the exciting opportunities ahead!

[chaisshitposts]

🦁🐻🦒 anon here again

Firstly, what happened to you for 2 days? What crazy hiatus was that? I'm sure not only me but others were worried too! Could you explain what happened, if it's not too much trouble?

Second, to answer the question: yes, I am neurodivergent. I don't talk about this so much with anyone because: you know this has become something commonplace in today's world (everything is autism, everything is ADHD, sometimes there isn't even a diagnosis, and often the individual uses the clinical case to justify his own failure and defects) and also by my family who, well, I'll summarize: they are all very alienated in everything (spirituality, behavior in general, how things work, etc.) and I was always different from the others (a "boy" who doesn't like cars, football, or being shirtless) (and making it clear that the quotation marks are because they didn't consider me normal, not because I'm not a boy or anything like that) (and I think I'm writing too many parentheses and this is getting ambiguous) (and oh my God, I looked very cult and edgy saying "I'm different from the other kids"😭😭), so, in this case, my family, kind of not accepting the uncomfortable truth that I was normal, but different, they created this generalized idea that I was abnormal and were incessantly looking for something that would validate this, which is why I had many exams throughout my life (a good part of the physical body, brain, ears, nerves) and nothing ever resulted, much less the psychologist's report, which not only revealed that I was normal but that I was even MORE than normal. In this case, I have AH/SD, which in my language is "Altas Habilidades/Superdotação", in English, well, I'm basically gifted, which explains my behavior (precocity, taste and high level of reading and interpretation; varied interests and differentiated; tendency to associate with older people; asynchronism; preference for doing certain things alone; independence; autonomy; acute and refined sense of humor, filled with irony, sarcasm, mockery and abuse of dark, morbid jokes and acidic comments, extending even into other spheres of coexistence other than humor; highly developed aesthetic sensitivity; high observation capacity; leadership; atypical tastes and preferences, wide vocabulary and use of it; ability for: complex, symbolic thinking and reasoning, abstract concepts, relationships between different things, situations or facts; early physical and social development; great sensitivity; high creativity; spontaneity; tenacity; difficulty in relating outside the comfort zone (new environment, new people, tastes different from yours that he doesn't understand, etc.), quick ability to adapt and create intimacy, competitiveness) and because I don't fit into other cases, such as ASD, ADHD, ODD and the like. In this case, I don't comment much because I'm afraid of giving the wrong impression, of people thinking I'm a victimist or an exhibitionist or something like that, and also because of my family dramas too, and because that's who I am, right? 🤨 Isn't it ridiculous to see these people on the internet (and sometimes in real life) basing their entire personality on their gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, ideology, social class, damn, I'm much more than neurodivergent, I don't need to keep talking so much about this, there are so many more interesting things to talk about me…

And about the failure in communication, I think it's because of the geographic barrier: look, I assume that you are anglophone, and therefore, from a low-context culture, since most countries that share Anglophony were British colonies, then share this characteristic. But I am lusophone, but, unlike another country that shares Lusophony, my culture is high-context. This means that we don't just analyze the type, but how it is said, the moment, the manner, the intonation, we capture the emotion in speech and writing, while low-context countries are more literal, they don't have as many idiomatic expressions, figures of speech, so they end up causing some confusion sometimes (that's why people in my country are known for not saying "no"). For example, when you said "You're treating my ask box like it's an entire Tumblr - and also, it's not questions" Idk what you really mean by that, really, but in my head that sounded a bit like "you don't belong here, can't you see you're using my ask box wrong?" I think I understand what is being said when using emojis, camelcase, and slang, because that way I can capture the humor of the writing more easily 🥰🥰

one -> hiya! and oh my god you're the second person to mention that I've been gone for two days... I didn't mean to disappear!!! I was just in... hm— I guess I was dead? 💀 And not like ACTUALLY dead, but more so, dead to the world. On Wednesday something major happened and I was in disbelief for a bit. (My student loans got paid off in full eventhough there was $20k USD in debt, I didn't do anything aside from my usual affirmations) Then the next day another thing happened and I was still in disbelief. (I manifested something overnight involving my job after affirming that I can manifest anything I want overnight) And Friday was my day off of work so I went outside and spent a bunch of money on stuff I wanted. I had no idea I hadn't posted on Tumblr in a couple days, I'll be honest. Time got away from me 😓

two -> ahhHhhHh so my spider senses were right! we're more alike than I thought. and yeaaaaaah, it is pretty weird how much more 'common' autism and adhd seems to be in the eyes of social media. HAHAHAHA no no no, I didn't think that was edgy at all!!! being 'different' is what makes people interesting, after all. and yeah, I can understand where you're coming from when it comes to people using their superpowers/handicaps/gifts as an excuse to do bad things. sometimes I find myself doing that, but only when I'm trying to explain to others why I don't get certain jokes that they say or I have trouble with telling the difference between sarcasm and the truth.

three -> ah yes, the language barrier. I had a sneaking suspicion that may have been an issue as well. WAIT NOOOOOOOOO 😭 I would never say that you do not belong!!!! You will always belong here!!!! I— gods I wish I could explain what I meant in a cohesive way. 😫 I love it when you send me your words in my asks box! Your words of wisdom should be shared by YOU!!! and when you share your words of wisdom to me, and I make posts with them, it feels like I am stealing your words of wisdom!!! I do not want to take credit for your beautiful words! I don't know how else to explain it, I'm so sorry 😭

[explainlearning]

The Benefits of Learning a New Language in a Group: Worth the Team Effort

Contemplating embarking on a new language learning journey? While solo learning has its merits, language study groups offer a unique set of advantages that can significantly enhance your experience. This article explores the benefits of learning a language in a group, helping you decide if it's the right fit for you and your learning goals.

Beyond Vocabulary Drills: Advantages of Group Language Learning

Language acquisition goes beyond memorizing vocabulary and verb conjugations. Language study groups foster a dynamic learning environment that complements individual study and offers a wealth of benefits:

Boosted Motivation and Accountability: Studying with a group can create a healthy sense of competition and accountability. Seeing your peers committed to learning can motivate you to stay focused and on track.

Enhanced Practice Opportunities: Group discussions and activities provide invaluable practice opportunities for speaking, listening, and applying the language in a conversational setting. This improves fluency and communication skills.

Diverse Perspectives and Learning Styles: Every group member brings different perspectives and learning styles to the table. Collaborating with others exposes you to new approaches to understanding concepts and tackling challenges.

Reduced Anxiety and Increased Confidence: Practicing a new language can be intimidating. A supportive group can alleviate language anxiety and create a safe space to make mistakes and learn from them.

Cultural Insights and Exchange: Language and culture are intricately linked. Learning with people from different backgrounds offers valuable cultural insights and enriches your understanding of the language you're learning.

Finding the Right Language Group for Your Learning

Not all language study groups are created equal. Here are some factors to consider when finding the right group for you:

Learning Level: Ideally, your group should consist of members at a similar level of proficiency. This ensures everyone can actively participate and benefit from discussions and activities.

Learning Goals: Align yourself with a group whose goals align with yours. Are you focusing on conversational fluency, or are you preparing for standardized exams? Choose a group with shared objectives.

Group Size: Smaller groups (3-5 members) allow for more personalized attention and in-depth discussions. Larger groups (6-8 members) offer a wider range of perspectives but might require stricter management for focused learning.

Delivery Format: Do you prefer in-person group meetings or virtual interactions? Explain Learning facilitates group study with Explain Learning, offering a flexible online alternative to traditional study groups.

Digital Language Learning: Group Study with Explain Learning

The digital landscape offers exciting possibilities for language learning. Explain Learning recognizes the benefits of collaborative learning and provides a platform for group study with Explain Learning. Here's how we enhance your group language learning experience:

Online Learning Tools and Resources: Our platform offers a diverse range of interactive learning tools and resources tailored to specific language learning objectives. Use these tools to facilitate group activities and discussions.

Communication and Collaboration Features: Utilize features like shared document creation, video conferencing, and online forums to collaborate with your group on projects and language practice sessions.

Community Support: Connect with fellow language learners beyond your immediate study group. Engage in discussions, share experiences, and learn from a broader online community.

Is Learning in a Language Group Right for You?

The decision to join a language study group depends on your individual learning style and preferences. Here are some points to consider:

Do you enjoy collaborative learning? Some learners thrive in social learning environments and find motivation in group interaction. If you prefer solitary learning, a group setting might not be the best fit.

Are you comfortable practicing your language skills in front of others? Group settings encourage speaking practice. If you have reservations about speaking a new language in front of others, consider building your confidence through individual study first.

Do you have the time commitment? Regular group meetings demand a time commitment. Ensure you can dedicate consistent time to participate actively within the group.

Conclusion: Embrace the Power of Collaborative Learning

Language study groups offer a dynamic and enriching way to learn a new language. By combining individual study with group interaction, you can significantly boost your learning outcomes, gain valuable cultural insights, and build confidence in your new language skills. Explain Learning provides an excellent platform for group study with Explain Learning, offering a flexible and engaging online learning environment. So, weigh the pros and cons, find the right group or leverage the features on Explain Learning, and embark on a rewarding language.

Know more https://explainlearning.com/blog/language-learning-in-groups-worth-team-effort/

[bstcoaching]

Best DSSB Coaching in Delhi

If you're aiming to crack the DSSSB (Delhi Subordinate Services Selection Board) exams, you're embarking on a journey that demands rigorous preparation and strategic study methods. DSSSB exams are known for their competitive nature and extensive syllabus, making them a challenging yet rewarding endeavor for aspiring candidates.

Why Choose DSSSB Coaching in Delhi?

Delhi, being the capital city, offers an exceptional environment for DSSSB coaching. Here's why you should consider it:

Competitive Environment

Delhi attracts thousands of DSSSB aspirants each year, creating a competitive and motivating environment. This encourages students to push their limits and strive for excellence.

Experienced Faculty

DSSSB Coaching institutes in Delhi boast experienced and highly qualified faculty members who have a deep understanding of the DSSSB exam pattern and syllabus. Their expertise can guide you effectively through your preparation journey.

Comprehensive Study Material

The study material provided by these institutes is usually extensive and well-structured, covering all aspects of the DSSSB syllabus. This ensures that students are well-prepared for every section of the exam.

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Coaching Institute

Selecting the right coaching institute involves considering several factors:

Faculty Expertise

Ensure the institute has experienced and knowledgeable faculty who can provide quality education and guidance.

Success Rate

Look for institutes with a proven track record of success in DSSSB exams. This can be a good indicator of the institute's effectiveness.

Study Material Quality

The quality of study material is crucial. It should be comprehensive, up-to-date, and aligned with the latest exam patterns.

Student Reviews

Read reviews and testimonials from past students to get an idea of their experiences and the institute's teaching methods.

Benefits of DSSSB Coaching

Enrolling in a DSSSB coaching program offers several benefits:

Structured Learning Approach

Coaching institutes provide a structured and organized approach to learning, ensuring that you cover all topics systematically.

Regular Mock Tests

Mock tests help you gauge your preparation level and identify areas that need improvement. They also familiarize you with the exam pattern.

Personalized Attention

Many institutes offer personalized attention to students, helping them overcome their specific challenges and doubts.

Time Management Skills

Coaching programs emphasize the importance of time management, teaching you how to allocate your time effectively during preparation and in the exam.

Detailed Curriculum of DSSSB Coaching

A good DSSSB coaching institute covers all essential subjects and topics. Here's a breakdown of the typical curriculum:

General Awareness

Topics include current affairs, history, geography, polity, economy, and more. Staying updated with current events is crucial.

General Intelligence and Reasoning Ability

This section tests your logical and analytical skills. Practice is key to mastering reasoning questions.

Arithmetical and Numerical Ability

Mathematical problems and numerical reasoning are covered in this section. Regular practice and understanding of basic concepts are essential.

English Language and Comprehension

Focuses on grammar, vocabulary, comprehension, and writing skills. Reading regularly can significantly improve your language skills.

Hindi Language and Comprehension

Similar to the English section, but in Hindi. Proficiency in both languages is often required.

How to Maximize Your Coaching Experience

To make the most out of your coaching:

Setting Clear Goals

Define your goals clearly. Knowing what you want to achieve keeps you focused and motivated.

Consistent Practice

Regular practice is essential. It helps reinforce what you've learned and improves your problem-solving speed.

Utilizing Resources

Make full use of the resources provided by your coaching institute, including study materials, mock tests, and doubt-clearing sessions.

Seeking Feedback

Don't hesitate to seek feedback from your teachers. Constructive criticism can help you improve significantly.

Success Stories from DSSSB Coaching in Delhi

Hearing about others' success can be incredibly motivating. Here are a few testimonials:

Challenges Faced During DSSSB Preparation

Preparation for DSSSB is not without its challenges:

High Competition

The sheer number of applicants makes the competition fierce. Staying ahead requires dedicated effort and smart preparation strategies.

Extensive Syllabus

The vast syllabus can be overwhelming. Breaking it down into manageable sections can help.

Stress Management

The pressure to perform well can lead to stress. Finding ways to manage stress is crucial for maintaining focus.

Overcoming Challenges in DSSSB Preparation

Here are some strategies to overcome common challenges:

Effective Time Management

Plan your study schedule carefully. Allocate time for each subject and stick to your plan.

Stress Relieving Techniques

Incorporate stress-relieving activities like meditation, exercise, or hobbies into your routine to keep stress at bay.

Maintaining Motivation

Stay motivated by reminding yourself of your goals and the benefits of clearing the DSSSB exam.

Online vs. Offline DSSSB Coaching

Both online and offline coaching have their advantages:

Benefits of Online Coaching

Flexibility in timing, access to recorded sessions, and the ability to learn from anywhere make online coaching a convenient option.

Benefits of Offline Coaching

Face-to-face interaction, immediate doubt resolution, and a structured environment are some benefits of offline coaching.

Hybrid Coaching Models

Many institutes offer hybrid models, combining the best of both online and offline coaching.

Cost of DSSSB Coaching in Delhi

The cost of coaching can vary:

Average Fees

Fees can range from INR 20,000 to INR 50,000 depending on the institute and the course duration.

What the Fees Include

Fees generally include study materials, access to mock tests, and regular classes. Some institutes also offer additional support like doubt-clearing sessions.

Financial Aid and Scholarships

Many institutes offer financial aid or scholarships based on merit or financial need. It's worth inquiring about these options.

Tips for Self-Study Alongside Coaching

Self-study is essential even if you are attending coaching classes:

Creating a Study Schedule

Having a study schedule helps you manage your time effectively and ensures you cover all topics.

Regular Revision

Regular revision helps reinforce what you've learned and ensures that you retain information.

Practicing Previous Year Papers

Practicing past papers gives you a good idea of the exam pattern and the types of questions to expect.

The Role of Mock Tests in DSSSB Preparation

Mock tests are a critical component of your preparation:

Importance of Mock Tests

They help you understand the exam format, improve time management skills, and identify your strengths and weaknesses.

Analyzing Mock Test Results

Review your mock test results to understand where you need to improve and to track your progress.

Improving Based on Mock Tests

Use the insights from your mock tests to adjust your study plan and focus on areas that need more attention.

Conclusion

DSSSB coaching in Delhi can provide the structured support and resources you need to excel in the exam. By choosing the right institute and making the most of your coaching experience, you can significantly enhance your chances of success. Remember, consistent effort, effective time management, and a positive attitude are key to cracking the DSSSB exam.

FAQs

What is the ideal duration for DSSSB coaching?

The ideal duration for DSSSB coaching varies, but a 6-12 month preparation period is generally recommended to cover the entire syllabus thoroughly.

How can I find the best DSSSB coaching institute in Delhi?

Research online, read reviews, ask for recommendations, and visit institutes to find the best fit for your needs.

Are online coaching classes as effective as offline ones?

Yes, online classes can be just as effective if they offer comprehensive study materials, interactive sessions, and regular assessments.

What should I do if I miss a coaching class?

If you miss a class, review the provided study materials, watch recorded sessions if available, and reach out to your instructor for any doubts.

How often should I take mock tests?

It's advisable to take mock tests regularly, at least once a week, to continually assess and improve your preparation.

[advancegkquiz]

General Awareness|Practice Paper for SSC CGL Tier-1|SET- 22

1. Who started the saka era which is still used by the Government of India ?

a) Kanishka

b) Vikramaditya 

c) Samudra Gupta

d) Ashoka

2. The 'Kannauj Assembly' organised by Harsha was held in honour of 

a). Fa-Hien

b). Itsing

c)  Hieun-Tsang

d) Megasthenese

3. Which one of the following groups of leaders joined the extremists wing of the Indian National Congress ? 

a) BG Tilak,GK Gokhale and Lala Lajpat Rai

b) SN Banerjee,BG Tilak and Bipin Chandra Pal

c) BG Tilak,Lala Lajpat Rai and Bipin Chandra Pal 

d) Bipin Chandra Pal,Firozshah Mehta and Lala Lajpat Rai

4. The Communist Manifesto was published by Karl Marx in the year

a) 1848

b) 1856

c) 1880

d) 1883

5. 'Judicial Review' function of the Supreme Court means the power to

a) reviews its own judgements 

b) review function of judiciary in the country 

c) examine the Constitutional validity of laws 

d) undertake periodic review of the Constitution

6. India has been described under Article 1 of the Constitution as a

a) Federation 

b) Federation, with a strong unitary bias

c) Confederation 

d) Union of States 

7. 'Gobi' Desert is situated in the rain-shadow area of 

a) Alps

b) Rockie Mountain

c) Himalaya

d) Yural Mountain 

8. On which of the following longitudes is the Indian Standard Time determined ?

a) 68^½°E

b) 68^½°W

c) 82^½°E

d) 82^½°W

9. Which two planets of the Solar System have no satellites ? 

a) Mercury and Venus 

b) Venus and Mars 

c) Mercury and Pluto

d) Venus and Neptune

10. The earth is at the least distance from the sun ( Perihelion) on

a) December 22nd

b) January 3rd

c) July 4th 

d) June 21st

11. Duncan Passage is situated between 

a) Minicoy and Amandeev 

b) Minicoy and Maldives

c) Little Andaman and Car Nicobar

d) South Andaman and Little Andaman

12. Which of the following gives the correct descending order by length of the rivers of India ?

a) Brahmaputra,Ganga,Godavari,Kosi

b) Ganga,Brahmaputra,Krishna,Godavari

c) Ganga,Godavari,Krishna,Yamuna

d) Ganga,Yamuna,Godavari,Mahanadi

13. If the change in demand for a commodity is at a faster rate than change in the price of commodity than the demand is 

a) perfectly inelastic 

b) elastic 

c) perfectly elastic 

d) inelastic 

14. Which of the following are not fixed costs ?

a) Rent on land 

b) Municipal taxes

c) wages paid to workers 

d) Insurance charges

15. The term 'Rh factor' refers to

a) Rhesus factor

b) Rheumatoid factor

c) Renal factor 

d) Rhombic factor

16. The metallic constituents of hard water are

a) magnesium,calcium and tin

b) iron,tin and calcium

c) calcium,iron and magnesium

d) magnesium, tin and iron

17. Tungsten is used for the manufacture of the filament of an electric bulb , because

a) It is good conductor

b) It is economical

c) It is malleable 

d) It has a very high melting point

18. Which of the following is a rich source of Vitamin B12

a) cashew nut

b) milk

c) apple

d) watermelon

19. Roundworm is a human parasite found in the 

a) small intestine 

b) liver

c) stomach

d) large intestine

20. The disease that is caused by virus is 

a) typhoid 

b) cholera

c) rabies

d) tetanus

21. The largest cell in the human body is 

a) nerve cell

b) muscle cell

c) liver cell

d) kidney cell

22. The metal present in insulin is 

a) copper

b) iron

c) zinc

d) magnesium

23. Blood groups were discovered by 

a) Altmann

b) Landsteiner

c) Losch 

d) Ronald Ross

24. Least audible sound for most of the human ear is 

a) 10.0 u bar

b) 0.0002 u bar 

c) 0.005 u bar

d) 5.0 u bar

25. Which one of the following peripherals can not serve as both input and output devices ?

a) Tele-printer

b) Floppy disk drives

c) Scanner

d) optical disc drives 

READ MORE

ANSWERS

1. A

2. C

3. C

4. A 

5. C

6. D

7. C

8. C

9. A

10. B

11. D

12. C

13. B

14. C

15. A

16. C

17. D

18. B

19. A

20. C

21. A

22. C

23. B

24. B

25. C

READ MORE

[globsynbusinessschool]

How to Crack XAT Exam: A Step-by-Step Guide to Success

Preparing for the Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT) requires a strategic approach and a well-defined plan. If you're wondering how to crack XAT exam, you're in the right place. In this comprehensive guide, we'll walk you through a step-by-step process to help you navigate through the challenges and increase your chances of success.

Understanding the XAT Exam:

The XAT exam is known for its rigorous structure, testing candidates on various sections like Verbal Ability, Decision Making, Quantitative Ability, and Data Interpretation. To crack the XAT exam, it's essential to have a clear understanding of the exam pattern and syllabus.

Top 7 Must Follow Steps to Crack XAT Exam in 2024 and Beyond

Create a Study Schedule: To crack the XAT exam, the first step is to create a well-structured study schedule. Allocate specific time slots for each section, focusing on your weaker areas. Be consistent with your study routine, and make sure to cover all the topics comprehensively.

Master the Basics: Understanding the fundamentals of each section is crucial. Begin by mastering the basics of mathematics for Quantitative Ability and Data Interpretation. For Verbal Ability, focus on enhancing your vocabulary and grammar skills. Develop a strong foundation in decision-making concepts.

Practice Regularly: The key to cracking the XAT exam lies in consistent practice. Solve previous years' question papers and take mock tests regularly. This will not only help you get accustomed to the exam pattern but also improve your time management skills.

Focus on Time Management: Time is of the essence in competitive exams. Develop effective time management strategies by practicing with a timer. Allocate a specific amount of time to each section and practice sticking to it. This will help you avoid spending too much time on one question at the expense of others.

Stay Updated with Current Affairs: XAT often includes questions related to current affairs, so it's essential to stay updated. Read newspapers, magazines, and online sources regularly to stay informed about the latest happenings. This will not only aid you in the General Knowledge section but also enhance your decision-making skills.

Join Coaching Classes or Online Courses: Enrolling in coaching classes or online courses can provide valuable insights and guidance. Expert tutors can help you understand complex concepts, offer effective tips, and provide personalized feedback on your performance.

Revise Regularly: Regular revision is crucial for retaining information. Create concise notes and revisit them periodically. This will help reinforce what you've learned and boost your confidence as the exam approaches.

In conclusion, cracking the XAT exam requires dedication, discipline, and a well-thought-out strategy. By following this step-by-step guide on how to crack XAT exam, you can significantly enhance your preparation and increase your chances of success. Remember, consistency and hard work are the keys to conquering the XAT and securing admission to the top management institutes. Good luck!

[clatcoachinginstitute]

How to read a newspaper for CLAT 2023?

Newspaper reading is very much essential for everyone. Reading newspapers has numerous advantages one can get in the context of any competitive exams. If you are preparing for the CLAT exam, then newspaper reading is highly essential.

Reading newspapers will enable you to know about the latest events and current happenings in and around the world. Also it will help you to score better in the English and Logical reasoning sections.

If you are one of the aspirants who have been ignoring newspapers because of too much content or any other reason, it is high time to make it a habit of reading newspaper daily.

Tips and tricks for reading newspaper for CLAT 2023

Newspapers assist you in preparing for the exam in various ways, from improving reading comprehension and vocabulary to developing analytical abilities. Also, it will help enhance your CLAT GK preparation and score well in the upcoming exam.

Most of you might have difficulty finding references for current affairs topics while reading newspapers because reading newspapers requires skills and routine while studying current affairs from other sources is a shortcut.

Being a law student, you must understand which news is essential in the newspaper from the CLAT perspective.

To make it easier, we have provided a few tips and tricks below to help you better understand how to read newspapers for the CLAT exam.

Skimming and filtering – First of all, you need to filter out the main topics of the newspapers which are relevant for exams and have a national or international considerations. After reading items from apps and websites, you should read the newspaper. This is because articles you create for websites are repeated, and you have a deeper understanding of these issues after receiving an introduction from websites.

Prime focus areas – Don’t get involved in local or state news. They will never appear in the question paper and always concentrate on national and international concerns.

Editorial tips - Most importantly, read the editorials carefully because they will help you improve your reading speed, which will aid you in the actual examination because CLAT requires a good reading speed. Furthermore, editorials frequently contain essential information, so make a note of it. I’m very sure that after reading an editorial, you don't churn it in your head and form your own opinion on the subject, which is why you read an editorial like any other piece of information and forget about it after a while.

Important Dos and Don’ts

Keep your own current events journal. Focus on topics such as committees in the news, legal developments, bills, major decisions, and awards among others.

Jot down important points

Make a list of relevant events in the notebook to review when the exam is coming. Make succinct points rather than long paragraphs. You can also take cuttings of any data, graph, or object. For future reference, keep an eye out for new laws and revisions to existing ones. Offline newspapers are preferred over online newspapers. While reading the paper, use a marker to mark any new words that come up (do not write them).

The following are the important areas that you need to focus on while reading a newspaper:

·Frontpage

·Editorial page - language, knowledge, terminology

·Recurring issues like Hong Kong protests, news related to elections, etc.

·Standard Questions News such as appointments, records, awards, etc.

·Business related news

·International news

Conclusion

Hope you like reading this article, and know how to read a newspaper for CLAT exam 2023. Or else visit the Edufoster Institute which is famous for its clat coaching instutute in Kolkata. Visit today.

Author’s Bio

I Sushma Gupta, a professional content writer of Edufoster Institute enriched the maximum knowledge about the institute and its services provided. I write contents for this particular institute on CLAT and other competitive exams.

Summary

This article summarizes about how to read newspapers and what are the advantages of reading newspapers. Hope you like reading this article. Visit top clat coaching in Kolkata for more information.

[ambitiousbaba]

The Hindu Editorial VOCAB:  23rd November 2024

The Hindu Editorial VOCAB:  23rd November 2024 In this competitive world, ‘Vocabulary’ plays a vital role in every exam like Banking, Railway, Insurance, SSC and other Government exams so here We provide you The Hindu Vocab on daily basis to enhance vocab power and helps you in your preparation for Govt job. ‘Vocabulary’ Grumble (verb) Meaning: complain about something in a bad-tempered way.…