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!"

declared. "This sets

the innovation, the technical precision. It exceeds professional quality.

Danielle completed all exams in forty minutes with

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

sitting right. How the hell

top of her class, but even she had never

Perfect scores!" Vivian hugged Danielle

girl! We need to celebrate this."

bitterly. ’When I aced my SATs,

her lip with feigned concern. "I don’t mean to be rude, but... growing up where she did, with such limited education-how did she manage perfect scores? Maybe she had... help with the