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 a new

notorious for never being satisfied, actually smiled. "This work... the

minutes with perfect scores across the board," Ryan informed her

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

Audrey behind, alone with her thoughts. Something wasn’t sitting right. How the hell could someone from nowhere,

class, but even she had never nailed perfect scores across

Perfect scores!" Vivian hugged

need to celebrate this."

to find her parents lavishing praise on Danielle. ’It’s just an entrance test, she thought bitterly. ’When

but... growing up