IN
Chapter 12
In the final month before end–of–term exams, Natalie and I both began studying
like crazy.
Now we both knew that we were each other’s only real competition.
In this showdown, there would only be a winner and a loser, no ties.
The winner would be showered with accolades and admiration.
The loser’s reputation would be ruined, all dignity lost.
Natalie had always maintained the image of a so–called genius.
She used to brag that she never studied at home and relied solely on her brain.
She didn’t say that anymore. After class, she wouldn’t even go to the bathroom, just lay there studying all day.
Several times, I saw her come to class in the morning with dark circles under her eyes, clearly having pulled an all–nighter.
Unlike her previous nonchalance, she was truly feeling threatened by me now. While I was inwardly smug, my sense of crisis grew even stronger. I wished I could
squeeze 25 hours out of each day to study.
The peanut gallery in our class also started getting lively. When I first said I would challenge Natalie, everyone had mocked me in unison..
But after the fifth monthly exam, not a single person said I was delusional
anymore.
Strength will shut everyone up.
No one dares look down on the strong.
Many people even started speculating that I might really surpass Natalie.
Once, I even overheard Natalie arguing with one of her cronies about it, because the crony had advised her not to be so anxious.
Natalie yelled at her uncontrollably: “Anxious about what?! You think Emily is worthy of making me anxious?!”
“If you can’t say anything useful, shut your mouth!”
The crony didn’t dare talk back and walked away unhappily.
I heard it all from the side but wasn’t angry.
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Natalie being in this state proved that she was scared.
She knew there was a real possibility I could beat her.
Finally, the day of the final exams arrived.
The day before the test, Daniel didn’t tutor me.
He brought a carton of fresh milk and handed it to me. “Drink it while it’s hot, then go to sleep right after.”
“Get some extra rest today so you’ll have energy for the battlefield tomorrow.”
I was so nervous that my heart was racing. The exam was about to start, but I suddenly felt very flustered.
My forehead and palms wouldn’t stop sweating.
I was afraid – what if I couldn’t beat Natalie?
What if I wasn’t as good as her after all? She had worked really hard lately too.
Her foundation was already good to begin with. If she studied this hard on top of that, would she improve a lot again?
Did I really have to go shout at the school gates that I was full of crap?
I wouldn’t be able to live that down!
I would become a laughingstock, a joke that made Natalie’s legend.
“Daniel,” I looked at him in trepidation, my voice shaking. “What if I can’t beat her?”
I thought he would be acerbic as usual and curse me out for being worthless. But to my surprise, Daniel reached out and patted my head.
His hand was a bit rough, dry and warm. It seemed to have a magic power that soothed my unease.
“Hey, Emily, are you doubting me?”
“You think a student I taught would lose to someone else?! That’s like puffing up others while deflating yourself!”
With that, he squatted by the head of the bed and looked at me.
Daniel’s pupils were black and deep. When he stared at you, it felt like he could
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hook your soul and pull it in.
For some reason, I suddenly felt my face grow a bit hot.
After a while, he smiled.
“You can do it.”
“Actually, you’re very smart. Your foundation was lacking before, but now you’ve
made up for it. You’re definitely stronger than anyone.”
“If I say you can win, then you will definitely win.”
This was the first time Daniel had properly complimented me.
I felt my eyes sting as tears started to well up.
But my heart had truly calmed down.
I thought, even if I didn’t believe in myself, I should believe in Daniel. I could definitely do it.
