Chapter 16
Tompkan, think
org kunne – Bordered so predstent, lär she had everybing soferiemand Alison scoffed in her mind, Who does this country
ligħ won herause Maura het spoem feel hier test tips: Without that, the
cher chin up like she was the queen of the world. “Yind? Bet with od What are you even betting
text. I’m betting thức Class Fir gonna come in lira.”” The
one of the modents woffend
Castage du Theaming of fett place? They might as well wake up”
or Aurora’s from the commaryde, hol Islahat believe it at few, but now I lo he probably thinks Merrida
is like some luckwater village schoolTM
The crowd in de tuliway grew larger. People who’d just beris passing by noticed the commonition and couldn’t resist stopping to watch. Hearing what Aurora hai said they sprinkly called their friends over to share the joke. Even Aurora’s classmates were shocked
Erik sidled up next to Aurora, tugged gently at her sleeve, and whispered, “Aurora, you sure you’re not overestimating us! I’m seriously just a regular
Maura, catching the shift in the atmosphere, had a glint in her eye. ‘Glass A is packed with top–tier students, some even national competition
(way Class F, which even the teachers don’t bother to teach, can snag first place, she mused.
Frigning concern, she stepped forward and said, “Aurora, don’t be so reckless. There’s a huge gap between Classes A and F. I know you’re new and leager to prove voumelt hút this will only hurt you in the endl
“Maura, what are you deing still worrying about her? Think about how she treated you” Alisôn, exasperated with her friend’s kindness, pulled her aude. “She wants to show off so bad, huh? Well, we can’t deny her that chance, can we?”
Alison shot a stmie look across at Aurora and said, “Alright, Aurora. Em in. But what happens when you lose?”
Aurora’s expression was as calan as ever, and she replied, “If I lose, 11l leave Mereida High School on my own. How about that?”
Hearing that, someone exclaimed. “Geeze Looks like our little country girl’s got guès”
Someone in Class A scoffed, “Oh, come on. People in Class Fare all the same, ignorant and arrogant”
“Yeah! In fact, if Class Floses, the whole class should leave,” a mudent suggested.
“Merida High School doesn’t need losers like you dragging the place down,” someone snapped.
Alison’s eyes lit up as she heard people’s discussion. She had only wanted to get rid of Aurora, but if she could take down the whole of Class F with her, thand be even better
“Well! You got the guts? Alison raised her chin, surrounded by her crew, looking every bit the queen bee
“Maura, playing the part of the concerned sister, fake sympathy plastered across her face, said, “Aurora, the gap between Class A and F is obvious to
everyone. You’ve got a whole class to think about. Don’t drag them down just to make yourself look good.”
Everyone knew most of Class E students had bought their way into Mereida High School. If Aurora’s bet cost them their place here, they’d never
forgive her
Margaret McLean was one of those kind. She wasn’t too sharp, and her father, the CEO of McLean Group, had donated a 1.5 million library just to keep her enrolled. If Margaret got kicked out because of this, Aurora would definitely be in for it.
Aurora shot Maura a sideways glance before turning to her classmates. “Take a good look, my fellow classmates. They don’t think anything of you. Don’t you want to wipe those smag smiles off their faces? Don’t you want to finally show them what you’re made off
Hell yeah, they did. That had been the dream all along
Erik, staring at the floor, felt a warmth behind his eyes. He wanted so badly to be like the Class A students, to be praised and admired wherever he went. But his mind just didn’t work that way–books scrambled his brain, and eventually, he stopped trying. It wasn’t that he didn’t want to sucked,
1/2
Chapas 30
sarabera, he felt
and always feb stacked against hita
trener on his shoulder. He looked up and found himself staring into Aurora’s clear, determined eyes. “You were all
Leik glances at the hand resting on his shoulder, feeling the weight of it through his thin shirt. Suddenly, courage swelled inside him as he replied,
He turns totally the ethers. Took the SAT are put a few months away. Even without this bet, we wouldn’t be at Mercida High School much
pr so why not go out with a bang and blow their minds
Temin Erik, all fired up tore of
“Fine. I’m as” another guy replies in a weak
and tossed it to the floor, his hands trembling with adrenaline. “Who else
“Count me in” One by one, the rest of Class I followed suit.
“Margaret, VVAL IN OF
“Uh….yeah, yeah, I’m in Margaret’s voice was slow, her reaction a beat behind the others.
the whole Class F on board, Aurora finally turned her attention back to Maura and Alison, who were standing right in front of her. “Looks like ‘ve got ourselves sorted. So, can you two othrially speak for Class A
puffed up her chest, full of arrogance.”
“Of course we.can
Alsson thought to herself. Trash is trash, no matter how much of it there is. Pile it high, and it’s still just a bigger mess. Since day one, always taken first place without fail, and this time wouldn’t be any different. No way we will lose.
Class A has
Alison had been disgusted by Class F for a long time. To her, they were just scum from the bottom of society, not even worthy of sharing a campus and breathing the same air with her.
Meanwhile, Maura felt all her earlier frustration fade away. She was more than ready to sit back and enjoy the show. If Class F got kicked out, all the better. Maybe then she wouldn’t have to hear them buzzing around whenever she passed by,
“See you when the results come out, Aurora, Alison said, smug as ever, turning on her heel. She noticed quite a few people holding up their phones to record everything and she smugly tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear, making sure to strike a flattering pose.
“Hold up” Aurora’s voice cur through the hallway, stopping Alison in her tracks. “If we win, what about your*
“That’s impossible” Alison whipped around, a haughty smirk on her face. There’s no way our class could ever lose to a bunch of losers like you.” The word “losers” kept flying out of her mouth, and it lit a fire in Class F
- us. Who do you think you are?” someone in Class Fretorted
“Quit looking down on us.
Erik strode forward, towering over Alison, who barely reached his shoulder. He sneered down at her and said, “Careful, shorty. How about this? If Class A loses, you can go clean the toilets”
Their classroom was right next to the bathrooms, and they were constantly mocked for it. Now, it’d be sweet justice to watch the so–called perfect Class A students scrubbing toilets, just to see if they could keep up their holier–than–thou attitude while handling a mop.
Aurora clapped her hands in approval. “I like that idea”
Maura, still playing the delicate flower, stepped forward and put on her best helpless act. “Aurora, come on. You are my family, and Alison’s my friend. Do we really have to make this so awkward‘ You’re putting me in such a tough spot”
Alison took a deep sigh and walked back to pull Maura away. “Maura, you’re too kind. You can’t talk sense into someone who’s already made up their mind. If she wants to bet, then let her be. What, you think we’re gonna lose to these nobodies?”
“Hut… Maura glanced back at Aurora, her face full of fake concern, acting like she didn’t know what to do.
“No burs, class is starting soon. Let’s go, Alison said, ushering Maura back down the hall.