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.

effect, Evelina bit her lip and glanced back at Alaric, "Alaric, Lemmy

talking to you. Are

up, "I'm taking a

give you an

disturb Lemira while she's working on the test. Let's discuss whatever it is after she's finished," the teacher couldn't stand it anymore and intervened, clearly impressed with Lemira's performance. It seemed increasingly likely that

good girl, said, "I

didn't want Lemira to prove that she's capable, couldn't stand the thought of Lemira outshining her, nor could

score well, could she? Yet, witnessing

the test and, along with

calmly, her emotions steady even as Evelina hovered near Alaric. Detachment

announced excitedly, "We have the

her heart dark with malice, hoping

bad, let's not embarrass us by saying

even more challenging than the last, and yet she scored

away as she heard it,