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.

lip and glanced

snapped, "Lemira, Eve's talking

up, "I'm taking a test.

words, "Eve's trying to give you an out.

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 Lemira hadn't cheated after

good girl, said, "I didn't mean anything by

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

skepticism crept in. Lemira couldn't possibly score well, could she? Yet,

collected the test and, along with other

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

enough, the teacher announced excitedly, "We

dark

"If it's bad, let's not embarrass

was even more challenging than the last, and yet

it, a small smile playing on