One month passed in a flash.
It was finally the day of the citywide math competition.
Elena and Nolan boarded the school’s bus together, heading to the test venue.
The whole ride, Nolan just leaned against the window and slept.
While the other students were frantically reviewing formulas and question types, Nolan looked like he couldn’t care less-like this entire competition was just another nap.
Up front, Sarah wore a face mask and had tied her hair into a ponytail-trying her best to look like Elena.
After all, Elena was supposed to take the test in her place.
She had to make sure no one got suspicious.
“You haven’t been coming to any of the tutoring sessions,” Zayden said, handing her his notebook. “You should really go over the formulas and question types. It’ll help you avoid mistakes.”
Sarah nodded sweetly. “Don’t worry, Zayden. I’ll do my best on this competition.”
With Elena taking the test for her, winning an award was practically guaranteed.
…
Soon, they arrived at the testing school. Everyone received their exam number tags.
Sarah was on the lookout for a chance to swap with Elena.
But after looking around for a while, she still couldn’t find her.
She stood alone while the rest of the group began lining up to enter.
Zayden glanced at the steadily moving line of test-takers. “It’s starting soon. Let’s head in.”
“I…”
Sarah’s expression was strained.
If she went in now, how would she switch identities with Elena?
“Zayden, I think I ate something bad. My stomach’s acting up. I’m going to the bathroom real quick. I’ll be right back!”
Before he could stop her, Sarah bolted toward the school building.
With the test about to start, missing it wasn’t an option.
Zayden quickly followed her inside.
…
Inside the building, Sarah hurried through classrooms, scanning every one for Elena.
Because of the way the test numbers were assigned, Sarah and Elena weren’t in the same room.
Each school’s students were mixed up to avoid cheating, so being placed in the same room was rare.
Finally, Sarah spotted her-on the second floor, seated near the back of a classroom.
Only five minutes remained until the test began.
Sarah stood at the doorway, coughing repeatedly, trying to catch Elena’s attention.
But Elena sat there like she hadn’t heard anything, eyes down, focused on the paper in her hands.
“Student, the papers have already been handed out. Please go to your own room immediately,” the proctor warned from behind.
Sarah grew more anxious, hoping Elena would finally look up.
But Elena didn’t glance her way once.
“I said return to your own exam room. Now,” the proctor said more sternly.
With no choice, Sarah gritted her teeth and walked back to her own classroom.
Inside, Elena watched Sarah storm off from the hallway and let a faint smile play on her lips.
Now, she was finally putting everything back where it belonged.
…
The test lasted a full 120 minutes.
And for all 120 of those minutes, Sarah squirmed in her seat.
The exam questions were unorthodox-far from the standardized SAT-style problems she’d practiced.
They were tough, and she struggled through every page.
These test questions actually required real thinking.
Sarah had never attended any of the tutoring sessions, so she hadn’t practiced any past math competition papers.
The moment she saw the exam, she had no idea where to even begin.
For the full 120 minutes, Sarah sat frozen-unable to write for nearly half the exam.
By the time the bell rang, signaling the end of the test, the proctor stood up and said curtly, “Time’s up. Pens down. Pass your papers forward.”
Sarah’s paper was half blank. She hadn’t even touched the big questions at the end.
Around her, students began passing their papers forward.
Sarah’s brain buzzed in panic.
What now?
Once the results came out and she didn’t place, what would the school think? What would her parents say?
What about the next round of monthly exams?
As the other students filtered out of the room, Sarah finally snapped out of her daze.
She bolted from the exam hall, desperately searching for Elena.
But the crowd was too dense, and she quickly got swept away in the stream of students.
…
Meanwhile…
Elena had already packed up her supplies and walked to the doorway-only to find Nolan waiting for her outside.
She asked casually, “How was the test?”
“Not bad.”
“Oh.”
Anyone who said they did “not bad” usually did well. And if Nolan said he did “okay”…
Elena glanced over at him.
She remembered that in her past life, Nolan hadn’t even entered the city math competition.
But with the kind of grades he normally had, it wouldn’t be surprising if he placed first.
“Elena!”
Sarah had finally spotted her and ran over in a rush.
She grabbed Elena’s arm, her tone sharp and anxious. “You promised me! You said you’d switch with me! Why did you lie?!”
She was so agitated, she didn’t even notice Nolan standing nearby.
Elena blinked. “Switch? Lie? What are you talking about?”
“You-!”
Sarah looked up-and saw Nolan staring at her coldly.
That single glance made her shrink back and swallow her next words.
Just then, Zayden arrived.
He’d seen Sarah storm off during the exam and followed to make sure she was okay.
Now, only the four of them stood in the hallway.
He walked up beside Sarah and said quietly, “The group’s waiting. We should go.”
“Zayden, I…”
Sarah was still stewing in frustration over the test, but Elena interrupted smoothly, “Yeah, the others are already waiting. Better not waste any more time.”
With that, she and Nolan turned and walked off.
Sarah stared after Elena, noticing the slight smirk on her lips-and only then did she realize.
Elena had played her.
She never intended to take the test in Sarah’s place.
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