Sarah looked at her skeptically.
Class Six was full of rich kids who didn’t care about school-lazy troublemakers who lived off their families’ money.
All the other classes looked down on them, especially those from Class One.
“The homeroom teacher said if I do well on the next monthly exam, I’ll be transferred back. So don’t worry.”
“But… how are you going to help me cheat during the next exam if we’re not in the same room?”
Sarah began to panic.
If Elena couldn’t help her with the monthly exams, and she had to face the city competition too, she was finished.
“Relax,” Elena said, patting her hand. “We’ll still swap papers. The teacher made me class rep in Class Six. I’ll have chances to switch tests when the teachers aren’t looking.”
Sarah let out a breath of relief. “That’s good… That’s good.”
“But… the city competition is a different story,” Elena added, frowning on purpose. “It’s too formal. There’s no way to cheat.”
Sarah bit her lip, then lit up with an idea. “Then how about this-on the day of the competition, you can go in my place. Just use my name.”
She looked at Elena with a hopeful smile. “You’ve always wanted to enter the city competition, and math is your strong suit. You can’t officially compete, but if you go as me, everyone wins.”
Elena laughed inwardly.
That was exactly how Sarah had manipulated her in their past life.
Sarah had stolen all the credit, reaped all the glory, and used the win to get into her dream university abroad-under Elena’s name.
The memory still twisted like a knife in her chest.
But outwardly, she just smiled, squeezed Sarah’s hand, and said, “That’s a great idea.”
The next morning-
Elena arrived at school before sunrise.
The building was nearly empty. When she flipped on the lights to the classroom, she found Zayden already there, standing by the window.
He leaned against it in his usual lazy posture, school jacket draped loosely over his shoulders. His gaze landed on her with a look that said, I knew you’d show up this early.
But to Elena, his act seemed childish.
So childish that she couldn’t help but reflect on just how blind she must’ve been in her past life-to fall so hard for someone like him.
She ignored his stare and walked to her desk to start packing up her things.
She needed to get all her personal belongings together before early class began-she’d be moving to Class Six today.
“Elena.”
Zayden finally called her name.
She didn’t respond, only sped up her packing.
His brow furrowed. Then he stepped forward and grabbed her wrist.
The sudden movement caused her notebook to fall, and several photographs spilled out onto the floor.
Zayden froze.
In every photo-whether it was from a school sports meet, award ceremony, or volunteer event-there was one thing in common: him.
All of them were pictures of him.
“That’s me…”
Elena instinctively reached down to collect the pictures, but Zayden beat her to it.
He picked them up slowly, his eyes glinting with amusement as he flipped through them. Then, raising a brow, he held them out in front of her.
“So, you like me this much?”
Elena’s face darkened.
That was the foolish me from my past life.
Now? Even just being looked at by Zayden made her sick.
“Here.” Zayden held out the photos.
Without a word, Elena snatched them back-and tore them into shreds right in front of him.
“Thanks. Just garbage.”
She dumped the pieces into the classroom trash can, without sparing him a glance.
Zayden’s smile vanished as he watched her coldly gather up the last of her things and pull out a workbook.
He sneered. “Give it up. There’s no way you’ll ever beat Sarah.”
Elena’s pen paused in her hand.
Zayden continued in an even voice, “Sarah scored 690 on the last monthly exam. Do you even know what that means? With a score like that, she could get into the best school in Westbrook. And you? You were more than 120 points behind her. Do I need to explain what a 120-point gap means?” Zayden tapped the desk, his voice calm and cutting. “Top students are top students. You’ll never catch up.”
Elena smiled faintly.
He was right-there was a 120-point gap between her and Sarah.
He just didn’t know who was really ahead.
If it hadn’t been for the test-switching, Sarah wouldn’t have even made it into the top fifty in their grade.
Zayden, you’ve got it all backwards.
“Zayden,” Elena said, lifting her head, “are you just bored and looking for someone to talk to? I’m busy. 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 math competition spot was already reassigned to Sarah. You’re out.”
“And?”
Elena put down her pen and looked up, her tone icy. “So what? You came here early just to tell me I’m not good enough? Or is it that you’re just bored and feel like mocking me? I don’t have time for this, Zayden. 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 Elena hanging on his every word, following him around, grateful for even a glance.
Now?
He was the one getting dismissed.
Bang!
Zayden suddenly slammed both hands on her desk, his face cold. “Elena, I know you only wanted to enter the math competition to get close to me. And I know all this distance you’ve been putting on lately is just an act to get my attention. But it won’t work. Give it up-I’ll never like you.”
Elena looked up at him, stunned into silence for a second.
Then she started laughing.
Really laughing.
Zayden’s frown deepened. “What’s so funny?”
“You are,” she said, eyes glittering with amusement. “You’re overthinking everything.”
She bent her head and went back to her workbook.
Zayden could think whatever he wanted. Boys at this age always thought the world revolved around them.
She couldn’t be bothered to explain.
Better to spend the time solving problems.
Watching her work, Zayden assumed he’d hit the mark.
Why else would the old Elena suddenly flip a switch?
“I don’t care what game you’re playing,” he said. “But Sarah’s innocent. Stop trying to take advantage of her kindness.”
His meaning was clear: he was still stuck on the math competition.
Elena didn’t even look up. She kept working.
She’d already fallen behind in her studies. She didn’t have time to waste.
As morning class neared, the classroom slowly filled up.
The homeroom teacher knocked on the door. “Elena, come with me.”
“Coming.”
She picked up her fully packed bag and walked out calmly.
After she left, the murmurs started.
“Where’s Elena going?”
“You didn’t hear? Her scores dropped, so she’s being moved to Class Six.”
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