EPISODE 1 – OVERACHIEVERS
Several college students form a study group with an intriguing proposition for all members.
Academic Achievements
MIA has always been an overachiever. She skipped a couple of grades early in life and would accept nothing lower than an “A” in any class. Her parents established a college fund to supplement her scholarships. Kristen graduated valedictorian from high school with a full-ride scholarship. Courtney aced her SAT, also earning tuition-free college admission.
Like the girls, Shannon is a serious student who was class president in high school. With decent grades, Patrick earned a basketball scholarship. Though studious, Charles is prone to distractions that prevent school funding. With a combination of grants and parent contributions, he is beginning his first year of college with the rest.
These six students come from different cities without prior knowledge of each other. Their commonality is a focus on academic achievement for funding.
Attracting Members
With his leadership skills, Shannon organizes The Love Study Group, advertising it on the college website. The name has a double entendre. Yet, the description clarifies that the group is for students with stellar grades who love studying.
Mia responds with skepticism via a website chat. “This sounds like a trap to catch girls.”
“I assure you that grades matter. Attend the orientation for details.”
Kristen likewise expresses concerns over the name in a web chat using her phone. “Would I be the only girl in this group?”
“Not at all. It is open to both genders. You are not the first girl to inquire. Attend the orientation to meet the others.”
Patrick and Charles need no convincing since they require academic assistance. Courtney agrees to attend orientation after learning that the group is small and she is the third girl.
The Orientation
Shannon’s biography is online for each student to peruse before coming. Another attractive female named Lindsay also attends with a couple of female friends. Within a small quiet room in the campus library, he welcomes the prospective members.
“Thank you for coming. The purpose of this group is to encourage one another to excel. We help each other burn the midnight oil, share research techniques, and critique papers before professors do so. How many of you have been in study groups before?”
All but Charles raise their hands. Patrick looks around at the ladies before remarking, “This is a cozy group of boys and girls. Does this name imply that this doubles as a matchmaking study group?” The other females chime in, demanding an answer.
“The group name is not frivolous,” Shannon assures. “We should all love studying. As the astute point out, there’s another aspect of love.”
Kristen stands up to object. “All right, I see where this is going. I’m not here for any kind of group sex.”
Mia asks, “Is that what this is? I’m leaving too.”
“Wait! Sit back down,” Shannon urges. “Let me explain the premise. Ideally, we will all thrive in this study group until graduation. However, the membership may change over the years. In addition to scholastic achievement, our goal is to identify suitable life partners.”
Courtney interrupts, “Wait, you mean I need to pick a husband from the four guys here? Who said I even want to settle down?”
“Relationships develop over time,” Shannon stresses. “As I said, members may come and go. By studying together, we will learn more about each other. Over time, we will test every human emotion before finding the ideal companion.”
Mia asks, “What are the statistics for college romances that endure beyond graduation?”
“People don’t form an enduring relationship by sharing an ice cream sundae. It is the product of enduring tests and supporting one another through trials. I can’t dictate when a couple discovers they are a perfect fit, but I suggest we at least get through our freshman year without commitments.”
Lindsay gathers her backpack and excuses herself and her posse. “This all sounds too complicated. I just want to maintain my grades. I’m out of here.”
“There you have it. The group is already evolving. I propose that one by one, we mention our name, our major, where we’re from, and something about our personality.”
Charles rouses laughter when he remarks, “This sounds like an AA meeting.”
After they all comply, they feel better about the group and exchange contact information to focus on studying.
Extracurricular Activities
The first challenge to the group’s loyalty is Patrick’s invitation to his debut game. Courtney supports him, but the other members decline, expressing a need to study. A few weeks later, Patrick suggests a team-building basketball game. The study group participates, revealing some surprising female talent.
Later, Charles asks Mia out to a school dance. However, she has been eying Shannon, so she declines until she discovers he is attending with Kristen.
The weekday after the dance, Mia points out, “I just want to say that attending college functions is no indication of romantic interests.” She beams with secret, intimate hopes when Shannon concurs.
Only Shannon and Mia are majoring in the same subject. However, everyone has common classes like English, history, and psychology. As time progresses, Patrick’s commitment to sports diminishes his participation in the group. His hope that others will do his work for him is a non-starter. So, over Courtney’s objection, Shannon revokes his membership.
His firm action discourages slackers, underscoring the importance of academic achievement. Further establishing his serious commitment, Shannon rejects a membership request from Dustin. In Shannon’s opinion, humorous antics outshine his stellar grades. Mia shares her recent grades with Shannon to validate her value to the group. He commends her, showing his in return.
The freshman year is at least twice as difficult as any high school semester. So the members appreciate the support of their peers. Their resulting high grades spark a rivalry with an all-female study group that Lindsay attends, called The Aces Wild.
The two groups make a non-monetary wager. Members of the group with the lowest grade average at graduation must remove their caps and sing a humiliating song of defeat during the ceremony.
The intensifying academic challenges and deepening romantic entanglements challenge the Love Study Group’s longevity. Members face twists and turns in their journey toward success and self-discovery.
Continue…
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