18
Chapter 13
rather school lite. Frank arbord early to make sure all the enrollment paperwork was ready and eagerly awaited.
call. The homeroom tea bra for Class A, Ruby Bites, knocked on the door and walked in.
Oh. Mc Bates, perfect timing “Trank gestured for Ruby in sit down. “Murra is a real talent. Now that she’s in your class, make sure you nurture her
mexactly why I’m here” Ruby if
She forgeed her lesson plan tighter and adjusted her glasses while saying. “We can’t have this
tmp from hoy seat in thoi Kand asked. “What Why
“A. 1 knem, Aurima grew up in the coumyside, get into fights, and caused all kinds of trouble. She sunruly and impossible to control. I’m not going
i les amidem like that rum the atmosphere of my class”
“Aurora’s niner. Maura inld me that bevarit. Would she lie? And Damon said that Aurora desfigured Mrs. Newton by attacking her at a party. I can’t manage a dudem who’s so crari and arrogaon. Lalon’t want to risk having any of my students end up in the hospital because of her.”
Frank was caught off guard. Maori and Damon were both topuudens at Mercida High School, and Frank had a great impression of them. But jödeme from Aurora’s behavior that day, she didn’t seem like someone who caused trouble. Hearing what Ruby uid, Frank was left in a tough spot
Trank replied. Tus Aurora seonda perfect score on the entrance exam
already explained that to me. She helped Aurora cheat. You know how predictable the school’s test questions are–they’re always recycled from the same few patterns. Does that sound like a real ability to you? It was just a fluke, plain and simple.”
“Even if it was cheating, getting a perfect score is still impressive. Frank tried to advocate for Aurora, hut Ruby was a distinguished teacher with a lot of influence and a batch of top–tier students under her wing. Her opinion carried weight at Mercida High School.
“No need to say more, Mr. Gil: If Aurora’s so exceptional, why not put her in Class Fr Maybe she’ll raise their average and help them outperform my class. Ruby knew her reasoning was flimsy, but Maura and Damon had filled her head with stories about Aurora’s bad reputation.
Most importantly, Aurora had crossed the Newton family Ruby had no desire to get caught up in any mess with her
“Ms. Bates—” Frank tried to argue, but was cut in by Aurora, “I’m not going to Class A Aurora, having overheard the entire argument from the doorway, stepped in To her. Ruby wasn’t fit to be a teacher since she lacked even basic integrity. Aurora had no intention of studying under someone like her
If it weren’t for the poor facilities at Clearwater High School, she wouldn’t have bothered coming to Mercida High School in the first place. In her past life. Aurora hadn’t attended this school, so she hadn’t realized how some of the teachers were so unimpressive.
“Pulme
ass, as long it’s not with this teacher, Aurora said, her gaze carrying that same power to drive people crazy with a single look
Ruby fell the heat rise in her face, completely losing her composure after that dismissive glance. She now fully believed everything Maura and Duron had said Aurora was trouble–a rebellious delinquent. She was convinced that if Aurora stayed, the whole school’s atmosphere would down the drains.
“Perfect, I don’t want to see her either,” Ruby snapped, grabbing her lesson plan and storming out of the office. She belongs with along lazy good- for–nothings in Class F. They’re a perfect match”
“Aurora” Frank called, trying to smooth things over. “Class A bay the best teaching in the city. If there’s been some misunderstanding, maybe you and Ms. Bates can clear the air. No need to make things so difficult
Frank wasn’t the type to speak at length, but he genuinely appreciated Aurora’s potential. He hoped she’d stick with it and bring some recognition to the school.
Aurora, however, was curious about Class F. What kind of students could get such a bad reputation from Ruby?”
With a grin, she shrugged and said. “I’m joining Class E-
As soon as she stepped into Class F, she noticed the odd atmosphere. The back of the room was noisy, with students chatting loudly and moving about, while the front was eerily quars, with a few students hunched over their desks, absorbed in their books. It was as if the class was divided into two completely different worlds.
1/2
Chapon 13
un tescher at something“” a student asked, spotting Aurora at the door. Then, realizing she wasn’t old enough to be a teacher, they
atr von the new student!
Aurora modded bau said nothing
erever, the student vasd with a shrug
With ardy about thiets stud
he class, plenty of seats were open. Aurora picked a spot at the back by the window, where there was no
A few shuferts in the front glanced at her some curious, others sympathetic, but soon enough, they went back to their books or their own business, barely acknowleleing her presenc
mors wratched her nose and thought to herself, Okay, not to sound vain, but it’s weird not to get at least some attention, especially with high schoolers –the re always up for a bit of fuss. Yet here in Class E. Tam practically invisible:
“Hey, new pal” A boy with his spiky hairstyle and hip–hop gear leaned over her desk. Before Aurora could react, he whipped out his phone with a
Erik Woods waved the phone and said in a triumphant tone. “To posting this in the school group chat right now. Finally, something this class can take first place in—a goddess.”
Aurora sdidn’t bother stopping him. Plenty of students had already snuck photos of her as she walked to class. Trying to stop them all would be
k wasn’t met with the usual indifference. And soon.
Usually, anyone from Class F would be totally ignored by the rest of the school. But this time, Erik the group «hat exploded with messages
[Who is this girl Anyone knows her info!]
[Oh no. I think I’ve fallen for her. I hereby declare her my new goddess.]
[Whoa, the hot gal I ran into this morning ended up in Class F1 thought she was a transfer student for Class A.J
Erik, who had been feeling pretty smug, suddenly frowned at the message,
[What’s wrong with Class F!!]
[Come on let’s be real. No teacher even wants to teach your class. This year’s Class F is the biggest embarrassment in Mercida High School history, They probably cancel in next year]
(Cancel in More like raising the bar so people like them can’t get in.]
The chat quickly turned into a roast of Class F. spiraling off–topic as usual
Erik deflated, slumping in his seat. It was always like this–no matter the topic, it somehow always came back to everyone ganging up on Class F. It was like mocking them was the school’s favorite pastime.
“What’s come
Aurora asked
“See for yourself.” Erik handed Aurora his phone. Aurora skimmed through the messages, her interest piqued. “Tell me about Class F
It was supposed to be class time, but no teacher had shown up, so Erik casually straddled his chair, rocking back and forth as he explained,” “All the students in our class barely scraped by to get into Merrida High School, so we got dumped into Class E-
-Taking a sigh. Erik continued to say. “But once we got in, we found we couldn’t keep pace with those good students. Those who could afford private tutors and those who couldn’t made the gap even larger. Eventually, the divide got worse. The ones with decent grades found ways to transfer to Class D. and the rest of us… well, you can see what’s left.
Aurora raised her eyebrows, looking surprised. “Don’t tell me you can’t afford a tutor? Judging by the expensive accessories Erik was didn’t exactly look like someone strapped for cash
wearing he
Erik looked a bat sheepish. Then there’re people like me–total slackers. I’m here just to give my family something to show for it. Studying Not really my thing. I got into Mercida High School by some miracle, just to keep the folks off my back
