(Author’s POV)
Ms. Janet Doull, their horoom teacher, strode inside, tapping her flared heels rhythmically on the marbled flooring. She settled the stack of papers onto her desk and clapped her hand to get everyone’s attention. "*Clap-clap* .... So, students~ ... the midterm exams result~ are finally here," she announced, tapping her hand on the pile.
They all stopped gossiping and looked at Janet. So had anxiety written all over their face, so were calm on the outside yet shivering inside, and so were confident, but everyone was filled with anticipation.
She continued, her expression unreadable, "This ti the paper was really tough." Then a smile tugged on her lips, "But I am glad that everyone passed it with flying colours, everyone except one." After saying this, her eyes darted towards the back bench, where Denver was seated. "I must say, everyone has worked hard," she once again looked around.
Everyone followed her gaze, and a sympathetic look flashed across everyone’s face. Alia, too, felt bad for him, ’Did Denver fail? But when I taught him, during our session, he said he understood. Was he just pretending to play it cool?’ Her hand clenched involuntarily. ’After this~ ... I should just teach him properly. He might be a jerk, but I don’t want him to drag our entire class results.’ She thought. She was the class representative after all.
Perry leaned forward and whispered, "Tskkk~ ... Poor guy. I guess he is the only one who failed the midterms. With his looks, he surely is an A , but~ ... in studies, the guy needs so solid help~ .... *tut-tut, tut-tut tut*." She shook her head.
Alia didn’t comnt anything on it as Ms. Doull called Perry’s na next. Perry got up at once and walked briskly to get her result. With one look, you could tell what score she got. That girl was grinning from ear to ear, as if she had won a lottery. As she settled back, Alia, with one eyebrow raised, gestured for her to tell her the result.
Perry showed her the paper, which read sixty three out of a hundred marks, "Do you believe this? I thought I had ssed up badly in the physics paper, but I still passed. YEAHHHHH~ ..." She did a little dance of victory with her hands, then added, "But it’s all thanks to your tutoring session, your highness. Thank you, my saviour. Tell ~ ... tell what you want? Do you want the moon, the stars or my life? I can give you anything." Her tone was dramatic, way too dramatic.
Alia couldn’t help but chuckle and said, "Good for you, Peri-Peri. Let’s keep it up, and soon you will break the barrier and get into the top ten. Then you can give a bigggggg~ .... big treat."
"Gotcha. Anything for you," Perry winked at her. Alia was smiling when her eyes suddenly t Denver’s. His out-of-the-blue, intense gaze made her shiver automatically. Slowly, the smile on her face disappeared. Ms. Janet then called her na, "Alia~ .... Co and take your result."
Alia shot up instantly, her deanour changing like a chaleon from nervousness to composure. She walked towards Janet with her usual polite smile. As she extended her hand to take her sheet, Janet said, "Alia, you did well, as expected. Keep up the good work, and you will surely get into the top university for sure."
Alia nodded and smiled. Her eyes fell on the score, ’Ninety seven out of a hundred, not bad.’ She patted her shoulder ntally. But soon her expression changed as a hidden frown appeared on her face. ’Huhh? Sec~ .... second, SECOND POSITION? What the heck? There has to be a mistake. I have never~ ... once gotten second. Yes, it might be a printing mistake,’ after things like that, Alia cleared her throat and pointed out, "Uhhh~ ... Ms. Doull, I think there has been an error."
"Where, my dear?" Janet asked, puzzled.
Alia showed her, "Right here~ ...."
Janet didn’t understand and asked, "Where?"
Alia chewed her lips. Of course, she won’t say it in front of the entire class. It would sound like boasting after all. Janet’s mind clicked as she finally understood. She said, "Ohhh~ ... Alia. There has been no mistake. It is just as it is. Now~ ... you can go back to your seat."
Alia was truly dumbfounded by her response, ’Huhh, no mistake? This ans I have gotten second place, even after getting ninety seven? Then~ ... then, who is first? How much did that person score? It has to be more than mine, as with ninety seven the score would have been levelled.’ She was once again entangled in her web of thoughts, looking at all of her classmates. She didn’t even realise Janet had called Denver’s na to co up next.
Denver, cool, unbothered and aloof, like always, marched forward. A wide smile appeared on Janet Doull’s face as she comnted, loud enough for everyone to hear, "Denver, you have truly surpassed my initial expectations."
Now the tables seed to have turned, Alia’s eyes flew open at the remark, ’No way. No fucking way. Is he~ .... Is he?"
"Congratulations on securing the first position," Janet’s words landed in Alia like a blow; she went into imdiate shock. Ms. Doull glanced her way and said, "Alia, why haven’t you taken your seat? Is there sothing you want to say?"
"N~o, uhh~ ... no," Alia was feeling awkward. Just a few minutes ago, she was feeling bad for him for failing, but now~ .... she felt kind of betrayed. The walk, which was literally four steps, felt heavy.
Actually, not just her, but everyone else was flabbergasted. Just like her, they have concluded that Denver, who had joined late, was the only one that has failed.
"Denver, why don’t you say sothing to your classmates about your achievent?" Janet encouraged him. She had observed that he was a person of few words and wanted him to mingle with his classmates well.
Denver, very surprisingly, obliged with a nod. He glanced at everyone, then landed straight on Alia. A wry smile graced his lips. Alia’s mouth twitched, electricity sparked from both their eyes, as a battle awaited them.
To Be Continued . . . . . . . .
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