When They Beg, I Rise!

Quick as a flash, the teacher handed Lemira a set of questions, "Timer starts now."

Lemira sat down, grabbed a pen, and dove into the test.

The office fell into a hushed silence, all eyes on Lemira.

The teacher, closest to her, watched Lemira work through the math problems, his eyebrows lifting in surprise. The questions were significantly tougher than those on the last exam, yet Lemira was getting them mostly right! Minutes ticked by.

Evelina, curious about the office's sudden interest, wandered over and caught sight of Lemira with her test. A bad feeling twisted in her gut.

She sidled up to Alaric, "Alaric, what are you doing? Is Lemmy doing a retake or something?"

Alaric snorted, "Exactly. She refuses to admit she cheated. We'll make her admit defeat this time."

Evelina hurried over to Lemira, "Lemmy, don't be so hard on yourself. We all believe in you. You don't need to force yourself."

Lemira didn't respond or even acknowledge Evelina, determined not to let her break her focus.

bit her lip and glanced

patience snapped, "Lemira, Eve's talking

looked up, "I'm taking a test. Can't you

you an out. You should take it before

after she's finished," the teacher couldn't stand it

feeling upset yet trying to play the good

didn't want Lemira to prove that she's capable, couldn't stand the thought of

in. Lemira couldn't possibly score well, could

the test and, along with other

Evelina hovered near Alaric. Detachment had shielded

announced excitedly, "We have the

her heart dark with malice, hoping

it's bad, let's not

test was even more challenging than the last, and yet she

away as she heard it, a small smile playing on her