With the mock exam scheduled for tomorrow, the teachers at Aurora High were rushing through practice tests andst-minute key concepts. The students were paying unusually close attention, answering every question in perfect unison.


    The teachers were baffled. The questions were quite difficult, yet everyone seemed to understand them. It was onlyter that they found out why: nearly every senior had a copy of the review guide Juniper hadpiled.


    Juniper''s work? Oh. Well, in that case, it must be good. But still... could a study guide really be that effective? For them to improve so quickly?


    After ss, the chemistry teacher walked over to Juniper''s desk. His eyesnded on the girl dozing off, and he forced a pleasant smile. "Juniper."


    At the sound of her name, Juniper immediately stood up, her posture respectful and polite. "Sir."


    "Whoa, no, no," the teacher said, startled, quickly waving his hands. "Please, don''t be so formal. I don''t deserve it."


    Juniper was confused. The other students were just as bewildered. What the hell? The world''s turned upside down.


    "I was hoping to ask you something," the teacher began. "I heard you have a review guide, and I was wondering if I could..."


    "Here," Juniper said simply, handing the guide to him.


    "Oh, wonderful!" The teacher hastily epted it with both hands, chuckling. "Thank you so much."


    "You''re wee," Juniper blinked, then asked calmly, "Was there anything else?"


    "Nope." The teacher took two steps back, his tone equally polite. "Sorry to bother you. You can go back to sleep now."


    "Okay." With permission granted, Juniper sat back down and rested her head on her desk to sleep.


    Her ssmates were speechless, utterly dumbfounded.


    After evening study hall, Juniper returned home and immediately headed next door to look for Saskia, only to learn she was workingte tonight.


    "Alright," Juniper said to J, her brows furrowed. "Get some rest, and good luck


    on the exam tomorrow."


    She''d check on Saskia when she got back tomorrow.


    "Juniper, you too, good lu-" J started to say, her eyes shining as she looked at her, but she caught herself mid-sentence and her voice softened. "I mean, just do what you normally do."


    Juniper just smiled. After telling J to get some rest, she walked slowly back to her own house.


    Shanley was still at the desk doing her homework, the warmmplight casting a pleasant glow over him. "Damn. If I''d known he''d do my I ha I have


    homework for me, wight."


    moved in sooner she thought.


    "Get me a ss of water," Shanley said without looking up, his voice a low, gentle


    murmur.


    "Okay." Juniper looked around but couldn''t find his ss. Not wanting to go downstairs, she simply handed him her own water bottle.


    Shanley paused when he saw the bottle, then a slow, small smile curved his lips. He took it, had a sip, and went back to the homework.


    "You have an exam tomorrow, so get to bed early tonight," Shanley said, his eyes glinting warmly in themplight.


    "Not sleepy," Juniper muttered, sitting beside him and propping her chin on her hand. "Why isn''t there more homework today?"


    "This isn''t a lot?" Shanley nced at her, a smirk ying on his lips. "I''m getting old.


    I can''t pull all-nighters like I used to."