Chapter 2

Ms. Miller choked on her words, her face turning pale with anger.

"This exam decides your entire future! Your body is your own responsibility. If something goes wrong, who’s going to answer for it?"

"What could possibly go wrong?" Chloe laughed lightly, looking around the room. "Right, guys? It's just Red Bull to wake us up. It’s not poison."

A chorus of murmured agreements echoed from several students, all rallying behind Chloe.

Ms. Miller looked at the sea of crushed cans, took a deep breath, and forced down her anger.

"Fine. It's your exam and your future anyway."

She slammed the stack of test admissions badges onto the podium.

"I’ll call names. Come up one by one."

After distributing the badges and listing the final testing regulations, Ms. Miller spun on her heel and stormed out.

The classroom lingered in silence for a few seconds. Then, Chloe stood up and walked directly over to my desk.

Looking down at me from above, the corners of her mouth curved into a mocking smile.

"Avery, you’re still the same petty snitch, aren't you? Always running to the teacher."

I didn't respond.

Hostile glares from several classmates quickly locked onto me.

"You really think sabotaging everyone will guarantee you the top score?" Chloe kept her voice low but clear enough for the front rows to hear. "Selfish is selfish. Stop pretending you give a damn about anyone else."

Someone scoffed from the back. "Seriously. So fake."

I met Chloe’s gaze and kept my tone deadpan. "I didn't say a word. You left empty cans all over your desks. Do you think the teacher is blind?"

Chloe's smirk faltered.

Without giving her another look, I zipped up my clear pencil case, slipped my exam badge into my pocket, and stood up to leave.

Harper called out softly from behind. "Avery..."

I didn't turn back.

Outside the academic building, the courtyard was flooded with students, huddled in small groups.

The morning sun was climbing, casting a soft, deceitful warmth across the campus.

At the main testing facility, I checked the bulletin board for my assigned room.

Fourth floor, Hall 7.

Just as I took my first step up the stairs, a familiar voice called out.

"Avery."

I turned around.

Chloe was standing two steps behind me, waving her clear badge holder with an arrogant grin.

"Looks like we’re in the exact same room." She smiled broadly. "I'm definitely scoring higher than you this time."

I didn't take the bait.

Her grades had always hovered just above average. At the end of junior year, she wasn’t even in the top hundred.

It was me who tutored her for an entire semester, dragging her math score from a failing C to an A-minus, and pushing her English from mediocre to honors level, barely getting her across the threshold for top-tier colleges.

After that, she told everyone she turned her life around through pure grit and raw talent.

She never mentioned my name once.

I hadn't cared back then.

Yet here she stood, glaring at me with raw venom, as if I were her sworn enemy in this world.

"Let’s just get inside," I said flatly, turning to head upstairs.

The fourth-floor corridor was packed with nervous students. Someone spotted Chloe, and a girl jogged over, eagerly looping an arm around Chloe's elbow.

"Chloe! You’re in Hall 7 too? Thank god!"

I recognized her as Brianna from the next class over. She had average grades and spent all her time sucking up to Chloe.

Chloe patted Brianna's hand, smiling. "Yeah, what a coincidence."

Brianna leaned in close. "I'm so glad you brought those energy drinks. I was so freaking nervous this morning, but I feel amazing now. My head feels crazy clear."

Chloe shot me a smug look, raising her voice on purpose.

"Of course! When I find a real hack, I share it with real friends. Unlike some people who secretly pray for everyone to crash and burn."