The day of the board exam results had arrived, and tension filled the air like a storm about to break. Raya woke up early, her heart pounding as she stared at her phone screen, waiting for the official website to release the scores.
Her mom knocked gently on her door and peeked inside. “You haven’t eaten breakfast yet, have you? Come downstairs. The results won’t run away.”
Raya nodded, trying to appear calm, but her nerves were written all over her face. She joined her parents at the dining table, her dad offering her a reassuring smile.
“You’ve worked hard,” her mom said, placing a glass of juice in front of her. “Whatever happens, we’re proud of you.”
“Thanks, Ma,” Raya murmured, taking a small sip.
Meanwhile, Jake had already texted her.
Jake: "Don’t stress too much, nerd. We’re going to ace this. Call me as soon as you check!"
Raya: "You’re too calm. How?"
Jake: "Because I have faith in you. And myself. We’ve got this. 💪"
Raya smiled faintly at his text. Jake’s confidence always had a way of easing her nerves, even when she felt like the ground beneath her was shaky.
By mid-morning, the website was live. Raya sat at her desk, her hands trembling as she entered her roll number. She held her breath as the screen loaded.
When her results finally appeared, her eyes scanned the marks:
90%
She blinked, her heart skipping a beat. A wide smile broke out on her face. She had done it.
Almost immediately, her phone buzzed.
Jake (calling):
“Tell me you checked!”
“I did!” Raya exclaimed, her voice filled with joy. “I got 90%! Jake, I did it!”
Jake’s laughter echoed through the phone. “I told you! What did I get?”
Raya quickly searched for his result and let out a laugh. “You got 87%. Not bad!”
“Pfft, three percent? That’s nothing. You’re still stuck with me,” Jake teased.
“Jake!” Raya couldn’t help but laugh. “Thank you for believing in me.”
“Always,” Jake said, his voice softening. “We’re celebrating tonight. No arguments.”
Raya rushed downstairs to share the news with her parents. “I got 90%, Ma!”
Her mom’s eyes lit up, and her dad clapped his hands together in pride. “I knew you could do it!”
“Congratulations, sweetheart,” her mom said, pulling her into a tight hug. “All those late nights paid off.”
Her dad added, “Now, start thinking about your next steps. College applications are right around the corner.”
Raya nodded, her mind already swirling with possibilities.
By evening, Raya and her friends gathered at Lili’s house to celebrate. The mood was lively, with snacks and music filling the room. Everyone had done well in their exams, and the group’s excitement was infectious.
Josh teased Jake, “So, 87%? Looks like Raya’s the real nerd here.”
Jake smirked, throwing an arm around Raya. “She might’ve beat me, but I’m still cooler.”
“Debatable,” Lili quipped, making everyone burst into laughter.
Mimi, who had surprisingly mellowed out in recent weeks, raised her drink. “To all of us! We survived the boards!”
YOU ARE READING
Chasing Tomorrow
Fanfiction"Raya, why dream so big? Do you think anyone will really notice you?" Raya glanced at her BTS poster, a quiet determination in her eyes. "It's not about being noticed. It's about proving to myself that I'm capable. They may be stars, but they're als...
