Chapter 12

Everyone simultaneously looked at Juliana and Hanley

Feeling the collective gaze, Juliana straightened up and flashed a smile at Hanley, asking, “What if Cordelial starts hounding you?”

Hanley lifted his chin with an air of finality. “Our engagement is set. It’s not changing for anyone.”

With that, Juliana relaxed,

She and Hanley had grown up together, their relationship always teetering on the edge of something more. Now, with their engagement on the horizon, she trusted that Hanley harbored no feelings for Cordelia.

Their conversation was neither hushed nor loud, but just enough for the onlookers to overhear.

A few snide voices began to mock Cordelia, “Being the top of the class doesn’t mean you can win Hanley’s heart, huh?”

“If I were her, I’d stay well away. How shameless can you get, always hovering around Hanley…”

Cordelia cooled her gaze but before she could speak up, Merry interjected, “Some folks really have nothing better to do than to poke their noses into others‘ business!”

Merry had a sing–song quality, even when she was hurling insults.

The teasers promptly shut their mouths.

Merry then glanced at Juliana and Hanley with a snort, “And some people really have the gall!”

The classroom fell silent. When it came to quick wit, no one could outdo Merry.

Seeing that Merry had defused the situation, Cordelia nodded to show her thanks and made her way to her seat, but Merry turned and headed for the door.

The class president called out, “Merry, class is about to start, where are you off to?”

Merry looked back, blowing a bubble with her gum, “Arcade.”

Cordelia blinked in surprise.

Merry didn’t return for the rest of the day.

for the afternoon study period.

Juliana stood up as well, heading to her physics. competition prep class in room 302, right next

in their direction. She couldn’t resist asking. “What if

conflicted, “That’s true…

Η

the time Cordelia caught up, they were at the stairwell. As they hesitated on whether to acknowledge her,

stopped in their tracks, enveloped in

classroom to find only a handful of students had shown up

set the class to work on them before approaching Cordelia with a test in hand, “Try

I

got

seat, unable to keep

Latham handed to Cordelia was standard competition level, Hanley, a seasoned math competitor, had gotten

worked quickly, finishing the two–hour test in one, causing a twinge of concern in Hanley.

spot, announcing the result, “Failed!

a sigh of relief. A sense of

guarantee success in competitions, which were more complex

off day for him at the last test. He was sure to reclaim the top spot next time.

with three

answers right, but in a formal competition, everyone will mark these as incorrect.

her head.

sighed, “Calculus is a college subject. Where did you

simply replied, “Self–study.”

high school math competition tests logical reasoning, which means you need to solve

your

syllabus, not using

eyes filled with confusion. This

some notes for

worry, it’s good we caught this early. There’s still time. I’ll compile so you to

you have any questions, you

She glanced at the test

calculus, they indeed seemed challenging, but she found them

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