“Ella, I have someone I like,” Sally Jefferson deflected, smirking mischievously.
“What about you?
Do you like him?”
“Uh-huh!” Ella Lacey responded without hesitation.
In her heart, no matter what kind of flaws Arthur had, they couldn’t obstruct her fondness for him.
She liked him; it was fated!
The next day, after breakfast, Louis Jefferson drove both of them to the school.
When they separated, Sally used the excuse of needing to practice in the art building and left first.
Ella and Louis remained, standing in the dawn light, casting two long shadows.
Adjusting his black-rimmed glasses, Louis spoke in a gentle manner, “Ella, focus on your classes at school.
After school, wait for me to pick you up, okay?”
“Uh-huh.
Goodbye, Louis.” Ella obediently replied, waved goodbye to him, and headed for the lecture hall.
Once she reached her classroom on the triplex, she saw two huge red numbers chalked on the blackboard, remarkably noticeable: 60
There were only 60 days left until the college entrance examination!
She quickened her pace and swiftly took her seat.
Surrounding her, all classmates were engrossed, some in study, some in test questions, some in revising wrong exam answers.
An invisible pressure filled the classroom.
Throughout the day of revision, Ella concentrated intensely, organizing each teacher’s emphasized key points and stored them in her ring’s space.
This way, during exams, she would save time and achieve more with less effort.
Towards the end of the school day, their homeroom teacher, Tiffany Gasper, announced, “The college entrance exam is getting closer. We have two mock exams for the whole city. Everyone, prepare well and strive for a better result!”
As her passionate words echoed, her gaze landed on Ella, hopeful.
“In a month, it’s the second mock exam.
I expect, just like the first mock exam, we’ll see more inspiring examples like Ella rising.”
As soon as Tiffany finished, a chorus of boos began in the classroom:
“Tch, she cheated.”
“Cheating’s a damn example.”
“So, our homeroom teacher is encouraging cheating then?”
…
The questioning voices grew louder and louder.
Ella noticed that it was Ginny Harl and her clique, doing their best to tarnish her reputation.
If they suspected her of cheating, where was the evidence?
She was merely luckier than most, having unknown superpowers…
“Settle down, everyone!” Tiffany banged the duster on the lectern and said seriously, “Regarding your doubts, I will give a satisfactory answer tomorrow!
Now, class dismissed!”
She then looked at Ella and softened her voice slightly, “Ella, come with me.”
Ella nodded, packed her backpack, and followed after her out of the classroom.
As soon as they left, Ginny started rallying others in the room, “Something good is about to happen. The teacher is definitely going to investigate her cheating!”
The clamor continued…
Ella and Tiffany arrived at the office, Ella obediently stood before her with her backpack on her shoulders.
“Ella, as your homeroom teacher, I truly believe in your abilities.
However, you must know, some students —even a few teachers— still doubt your top-score from the last test.”
Tiffany cut straight to the chase, “Therefore, to clear things up for everyone, a special test will be held for you tomorrow.
You’ll sit alone at the podium, under the watchful eyes of your classmates, to complete your answers.
Can you accept this?”
“Er…”
This was indeed a peculiar exam.
Ella knit her brows and made a grimacing face, but she eventually agreed, “Head Girl, I accept.”