Not A Small-Town Girl

Chapter 13-1

Ryan watched Elara’s uncharacteristic enthusiasm with knowing amusement. "Just wait," he murmured, clearly privy to something his colleagues weren’t.

The other professors initially dismissed Elara’s excitement. ’Probably just a math whiz, they assumed -until Danielle finished every remaining exam in just thirty minutes.

They’d always flaunted Moreno’s elite status. ’How the hell could someone who hasn’t even bothered with the SATs be this good?’ they thought, convinced the math score had to be some kind of fluke. But as Danielle walked up, papers in hand, their doubt started to crack.

"You’re finished with everything?" Elara couldn’t hide her delight.

"Yes," Danielle said simply, as if completing several hours’ worth of tests in minutes was perfectly ordinary.

The other professors’ skepticism transformed into stunned admiration as they graded. The literature professor’s eyes widened. "Perfect score-this essay is publication-worthy!"

professor declared. "This

design professor, notorious for never being satisfied, actually smiled. "This work... the innovation, the technical

forty minutes

and Vivian stood frozen for a moment, then broke into delighted smiles. They’d spent the whole time preparing consoling speeches, even rehearsing exactly how to comfort her if she struggled. This outcome hadn’t even

leaving Audrey behind, alone with her thoughts. Something wasn’t sitting right. How

at the top of her class, but even she had never

scores!" Vivian hugged Danielle

We need to

her parents lavishing praise on Danielle. ’It’s just an entrance test, she thought bitterly. ’When I aced my SATs, they weren’t nearly this

be rude, but... growing up where she did, with such limited