Season 3 Chapter 22

It's been a week since the second maths exam took place, also since Choon Hee joined the team. Victoria has been maintaining distance from us ever since that day, and roaming around with Bella instead. Both of them spend most of their time in the library. Victoria comes for football practice only when I am not around, even today she is sitting beside Bella at the other end of the classroom as if making a statement that she doesn't want to be with me anymore. Our maths teacher walks in with the papers, as she looks at me sternly.

Amalia: I have gone through your answer scripts, and I must say, I am really surprised with the result.

Bella: (she looks at me and smirks) Mrs. Amalia, can you please announce who came first place this time? I am sure, it is Victoria right?

Victoria smirked proudly regarding herself as if she knows that no one can defeat her. On the other hand, I was really unbothered about the whole situation, and stared out of the window absentmindedly.

Amalia: (she stares at Bella for a few seconds then her eyes focus on me) hm…..the fact that is surprising me is…. Victoria didn't come first this time, rather someone unexpected. (Everyone started murmuring in surprise and gazed at the direction our teacher was glancing, all eyes fell upon me, making me feel uncomfortable) Miss Anne, do you have anything to say regarding this matter? (She raised her brow)

Me: I don't understand what you are trying to say, ma'am. (I replied while standing up)

Amalia: (she stands in front of me with my answer script) Miss Anne, would you like to confess now or should I take you to the Director's office? (She taps her feet impatiently) how can someone who got one of the worst marks in my teaching career in the last exam, bagged 100% in this exam? (Everyone gasped hearing her words, Victoria's eyes became bigger in surprise, Bella bit her lower lip getting furious)

Bella: (she springs up, while pointing her finger at me) Y-You….YOU SHAMELESS CREATURE, HOW DARE YOU COMMIT SUCH A HEINOUS ACT JUST TO WIN A BET?? (She screams at the top of her voice, her face turned red with anger)

Everyone gets surprised by the sudden outburst, as their eyes move towards Bella leaving me alone. Dr. Amalia frowns looking at her, others giggle among themselves finding the whole situation entertaining. It was the first time seeing Bella losing her composure, usually she is a calm and quiet child which made the situation amusing for our classmates.

Victoria: (she glares at Bella while clearing her throat signaling her to sit down) Bella, nothing has been proven yet, I am sure Anne has her own reasons, so it's better not to jump into conclusions. (She said in a manner that might look considering my situation but in reality she was being sarcastic and mocking me in front of the class)

Bella: (she gets flustered hearing Victoria's words and sits down quietly feeling embarrassed) I am sorry…..

Me: (I started laughing loudly after listening to Victoria's ridiculous mockery) Miss Victoria, milady, do I look like a dumbass? (I said in a low taunting tone) if I were to cheat, why would I even bother to get a full score and make it obvious?

Amalia: (she clears her throat loudly interrupting me) Miss Elizabeth, mind your language.

Me: I am sorry ma'am, I was sitting right in front of you during the examination, and both Victoria and you know very well that I haven't conducted any unfair means to pass this paper but if everyone still has their doubts, I would love to clear my name right now. (I replied with confidence)

Amalia: (she pushes back her glasses, her eyes fixed on me) And what do you propose? (She asks while tapping her feet impatiently)

Me: Write any maths problem which is out of our syllabus and exercise book on the black board, I will solve it in front of the whole class. I hope that would be enough as evidence? (I raised my brow)

Amalia: hm….very well, do as you wish, but if you fail, I will drag you to the director's office, and let him decide. (She says before turning her back and starting to write down a complex mathematical problem then she looks at me with a smirk) Go ahead, solve it. (She gives me a chalk, before stepping away from the board)

I sighed standing in front of the board, staring at the problem, before solving it, and putting down the chalk and facing Dr. Amalia.

Me: I didn't know, that your fragile ego would make you stoop so low, that you would make me solve university level mathematics. (I ran my fingers through my hair irritated) just like how you put at least one problem out of the syllabus to make sure we never secure a full score in our papers, isn't it? You knew very well, that even if I cheat, I can never crack that one question, unless I am truly talented, yet your pride won't let you admit. (I glared at her for a second before walking back to my seat)

Amalia: (she hardens her expressions getting embarrassed then clears her throat) The answer is c-correct. (She placed down the answer scripts) The class is dismissed for today, come here and take your answer scripts. (She says before walking out of the class)

I knew she wouldn't take me to the Director's office or else she would be the first person to get in trouble if they rechecked my paper. Victoria checked her paper and started trembling with anger and anxiety. Bella glances at her feeling concerned. Meanwhile Choon, Jules and Julie approached to congratulate me.

Bella: Victoria, it's fine, 77% is a really good score, look at me, I only got 68 this time. (She said while trying to comfort her)

Victoria: (she glares at her furiously, her eyes were red with anger, then she smiled gracefully, her eyes were still fixed on Bella) My dear Bella, who gave you the rights to comfort me? A pathetic woman like you, who isn't good at anything, trying to act friendly with me, it makes me ick. (Her focus then fell on me as she approached me and stretched her hand and shakes hand with me, she felt defeated and kept a neutral expression over her face) Congratulations, your parents must be proud to have a daughter like you. (My face turned gloomy hearing her words) From next time, I hope, that you won't act like a loser on purpose. (She says before walking out of the class)

Victoria's words ringed like a bell in my ears bringing back all the memories that had been buried deep inside my head. I took a deep breath before standing in front of Bella who was busy wiping her tears.

To be continued....