Chapter 114
He would always have her back.
***
Just like that, the physics assessment was only a day away.
On the eve of the test, Shirley had Charlotte pinned at her desk, determined to cram as much as possible into her head.
“Charlotte, this formula wasn’t on the last test, so it’s definitely going to show up this time.”
“And this one’s straight from the syllabus. Mr. Lee talked about it, so you know it’ll be on there.”
“Oh, and don’t forget this one, too
Charlotte lounged in her chair, her pale elbow propped under her chin. She absentmindedly chewed on her milk straw, watching Shirley scribble all over the textbook with a glazed, uninterested look.
“So, basically, the key points for the exam are… the whole book?” Charlotte asked.
Shirley froze, caught off guard. She clamped her teeth on her pen, looking a little embarrassed. “It’s all important,” she whispered.
A mocking laugh suddenly cut through their little study bubble.
“If last-minute cramming could get you second place in the whole school, then
anyone could get into The Cabinda University, right?”
Charlotte’s lashes fluttered up. Her eyes, clear and cool, scanned the room until she found the source of the voice, narrowing with a hint of danger.
Nancy stood with her arm looped through Olivia’s, smirking. “If you’re so talented, why stop at second place? Why not just take first?”
“Yeah,” another girl chimed in. “Olivia’s been number one across every subject for three years. No one’s even come close. People who bite off more than they can chew must be scared of embarrassing themselves, so they don’t dare brag too much.”
The other Class A students around Nancy burst out laughing.
Shirley was at the bottom of Class A. And here she was, tutoring Charlotte, the lowest-ranked student in the whole school, as if the two of them could somehow land in the top three. It was almost funny, if it wasn’t so pathetic.
“Shirley, you can barely keep up yourself. Who are you trying to fool, acting like a genius?” a boy behind Olivia sneered, hands shoved in his pockets. “Just wait until you flunk this test and get kicked out of Class A.”
That was Dennis. His dad was an honorary director at the school, and Dennis loved to throw that around like it made him king.
He was the one who usually got everyone to gang up on Shirley.
Shirley’s fingers tightened around her pen.
She kept her head down, saying nothing.
Olivia, who’d been standing quietly beside Nancy, finally spoke. Her voice was soft and sweet. “That’s enough. Shirley finally found a friend who shares her interests. Les not bother them while they’re studying.”
“Olivia, did you forget how Shirley used to bully you?” Nancy snorted. “And Charlotte… why are you so nice to them?”
“It’s all in the past,” Olivia said, offering a bittersweet smile, like she was trying so hard to be strong.
Seeing her look so “hurt,” Dennis’s face went cold.
Charlotte was standing up for Shirley, and had apparently bullied Olivia too. She
really didn’t know her place.
“Shirley, give me your practice exam,” Dennis said coldly.
Shirley ignored him.
Dennis’s pride took a hit. He hurled his water bottle straight at them.
“You stuttering idiot! Are you deaf? I’m talking to you!”
“Charlotte, look out!” Shirley yelped.
Shirley instinctively ducked, one arm thrown over her head, the other trying to shield
Charlotte. Her heart was pounding so hard it almost hurt.
But after a moment, nothing happened. No pain. No flying bottle.
She peeked up, nervous.
Charlotte was still holding her milk in her left hand. In her right, she’d caught the water bottle midair. Her
eyes were locked on Dennis, dey
fierce.
and
“Charlotte, your hand… are you okay?” Shirley’s eyes widened with worry.
Charlotte shot her a quick glance,
then stood up slowly She was tall
and slender her face sharp a
striking, somehow more intimidating than ever.
The air in the room seemed to freeze.