Harper Brooke has a crush on Steve Andrews, the tall, handsome boy who just moved into the house opposite hers. She was happier on learning that he would join her high school soon.
However, a twist for Harper or tragedy for Steve struck.
Due to a n...
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
All twenty-five students in Mr. David's class focused on exercise 38.3, the multiplication of two matrices. He started teaching a new chapter today and gave them classwork after ten minutes of explanation.
Occasional whispers, asking for the same answer from their friends and, the use of calculators became aware. Yet Mr. David turned a deaf ear and read his Men's Health magazine with the muscular Thor actor on the cover.
Harper sat at the third table in the first row by the wall, and beside her sat Layla Amir, her inseparable best friend since middle school.
Harper whispered, "Hey did you get 9 -3 for question 2c?"
Layla checked her copybook, nodded, and prompted.
"Didn't you study this chapter in your tuition a month ago?"
"Yes, except there's no harm in confirming the answer with the top student in the class."
She sighed, "One among the top five; I'm no longer the brightest ever since Georgina Ferrell transferred here."
"Still, you are smarter than me; every time I have cross-checked answers with you and corrected my mistake, I always get it right."
"You give me too much credit Harper."
"You are my only friend, in case you are unaware."
They both chuckled, and Mr. David shouted, "Quiet over there."
The whole class fell into a pin-drop silence.
Harper moistened her dry lips as they grew thin and firm; she tightened the pen between her fingers while her pale face glared at the book.
She cannot tell if the instruction is for them or someone else. Nonetheless, her stomach clenched.
After working for another fifteen minutes, Mr. David wiped the whiteboard and took the math textbook in his hands.
"Alright, first-row first student, stand up and state the answer; if someone has gotten it wrong, I'll summon one student with the right answer up here."
There are five students before her, meaning she'll answer question 1, part f, and she has gotten the same answer as Layla, who sent a playful smile in her direction.
"You worry too much," Layla whispered.
"I do not want to make a fool out of myself."
"You are not dumb, Harper."
"I agree, except I have severe stage fright."
The first four students and the rest of the class have written the same answer. When Layla stood up to speak, Harper's chest grew tight, her heart raced, and her hands turned clammy. She breathed in and out, attempting her best to stay in the loop.
