“Do I need to <b>exin </b>what a 120–point gap means!” Zayden tapped the desk. his voice <b>calm </b>and cutting. “Top students are top students. You’ll never catch up”
Eliza smiled faintly
He was right–there was a 120–point gap between her and Naomi.
He just didn’t know who <b>was </b>really ahead.
If it hadn’t been for the test–switching, Naomi wouldn’t have even made it into the top fifty in their grade
Zayden, you’ve got it all backwards.
“Zayden Eliza said, lifting her head, “are you just bored and looking for someone to talk to? I’m <b>busy</b>. I have studying to do. Please don’t waste my time.
She had no intention of arguing with him further.
But Zayden wouldn’t let it go. “The mathpetition spot was already reassigned to <b>Naomi</b>. You’re out,”
“And”
Eliza put down her pen <b>and </b>looked up, her tone icy. “So what? You came here early just to tell me I’m <b>not </b>good enough? Or is it that you’re just bored and feel like mocking me? I don’t have time for this. <b>Zayden</b><b>. </b>If you want attention, there are plenty of girls at this school who’ll give it to you. No need to bother me.”
Zayden’s expression darkened.
It used to be Eliza hanging on his every word, following him around, grateful for even a nce.
<b>Now</b>!
He was the one getting dismissed.
Bang!
Zayden suddenly mmed both hands on her desk, his face cold. “Eliza, I know you only wanted to enter the mathpetition to get close to me. And I know all this distance you’ve been putting ontely is just an art to get my attention But it <b>won’t </b>work. Give it up–I’ll never like you.”
Eliza looked up at him, stunned into silence for a second.
Then she startedughing.
Reallyughing
Zayden’s <b>frown </b>deepened. “What’s so funny?”
“You are,” she said, eyes glittering with amusement. “You’re overthinking <b>everything </b>
She bent her head and went <b>back </b>to her workbook.
Zayden could think whatever he wanted. Boys at <b>this </b><b>age </b><b>always </b>thought the world revolved around them.
She <b>couldn’t </b>be bothered to <b>exin</b>.
Better to spend the time solving problems.
Watching her work, Zayden assumed he’d hit the <b>mark </b>
Why else would the old Eliza suddenly flip a switch?
“I don’t care <b>what </b>game you’re ying he said. “But <b>Naomi’s </b>innocent. Stop trying to <b>take </b><b>advantage </b>of her kindness”
8.37 AM
Chapter 11 Transferring to ss Six
This meaning was clear; he was still stuck on the mathpetition.
Eliza didn’t even <b>look </b>up. She kept working.
She’d already fallen behind in her studies. She didn’t have time to <b>waste</b>.
As m morning ss neared, the ssroom slowly filled up.
The homeroom teacher knocked on the door. “<b>Eliza</b><b>, </be with me.”
“Coming.”
She picked up her fully packed bag and walked out calmly.
After she left, the murmurs started
“Where’s Eliza going?”
“You didn’t hear? Her scores dropped<b>, </b>so she’s being moved to ss Six.”
Seriously? Who told you <b>that</b>?”
“Naomi did. Yesterday,”
Zayden had only stepped out to use the restroom. When he returned, Eliza’s seat was empty.
He heard the girls gossiping and suddenly felt unsettled.
Eliza transferred?
Why hadn’t she said anything?
“Zayden!”
Naomi came bouncing in, cheerfully making her way to his side like always.
But this time, Zayden barely noticed her.
“Zayden? What’s wrong?”
He <b>had </b>been zoning out, Naomi’s voice snapped him back.
“Why did Eliza transfer?”
Naomi’s smile faltered. She tried to sound hurt. “Zayden, is the first thing you ask really about her? <b>That’s </b>not fair.
He’d never cared about Eliza before. Naomi felt ufortable.
Zayden, unfazed, set down the breakfast he had prepared for her. “I was just curious”
Seeing the familiar routine, Naomi rxed again. “Her grades weren’t good. The teacher said she had <b>to </b>transfer.
<b>Zayden </b>didn’t reply.
Eliza’sst score was 570. Not <b>great</b>–but not bad enough to get bumped to ss Six-
What is she doing?
In ss Six, the desks were scattered,pletely unorganized.
As Eliza stepped inside, a dozen <b>pairs </b>of eyes turned toward her.
+8 Pearls
Chapter 11 Transferring to ss Six
Everyone knew this <b>was </b>the ss for underachievers, <b>troublemakers</b>, and kids who didn’t give a dainn.
The rest of the school avoided them like the gue.
+8 Pearls
They were all rich kids who didn’t study–some of them got into fights, some stirred up chaos, and others hung <b>around </b>with shady people outside school.
But Eliza knew the truth.
These kids? Future CEOs. The ones who’d inherit powerfulpanies.
<b>Bad </b>grades <b>didn’t </b>mean failure–not when they had business instincts and <b>family </b>backing
These were the people worth knowing.
“This is your new ssmate, Eliza,” the teacher introduced her.
<b>Silence</b>.
The rebellious students looked her over with cold, mocking eyes. The
“ss One, huh? What a rare guest
“Teacher, won’t she be wasted here? So well–<b>behaved </b>and all”
“Yeah, don’t let our bad influence ruin her.”
The rejection was tant.
The homeroom teacher smiled awkwardly and <b>leaned </b>toward Eliza “You’ll have to bear with it. But if you want topete in the mathpetition, this is the only way.”
“I don’t mind,” Eliza said. Tm happy to help you out.”
<b>ss </b>Six was also under the <b>ss </b>One homeroom teacher’s care.
Every <b>ss </b>had twopetition slots. All the others had filled theirs.
ss Six was the exception–they had no one qualified.
Eliza transferring inpleted the pair.
“You and Nn study hard,” the teacher said warmly. “You two are ourst hope. I believe in you.”
Nn
The name rang a bell.
Eliza looked around the ssroom, trying to remember where she’d <b>heard </b>it before.