Chapter 13

Rather than a school-lite experience, Frank arrived early to ensure all enrollment paperwork was ready and eagerly awaited the call. The homeroom teacher for Class A, Ruby Bates, knocked and entered.

"Oh, Mr. Bates, perfect timing," Frank gestured for Ruby to sit. "Aurora is a real talent. Now that she’s in your class, make sure you nurture her."

"That's exactly why I'm here," Ruby replied, tightening her lesson plan and adjusting her glasses. "We can't have this."

"What? Why?" Frank asked.

"I know Aurora grew up in the countryside, got into fights, and caused all kinds of trouble. She's unruly and impossible to control. I'm not going to tolerate that kind of atmosphere in my class."

"Aurora's innocent. Maura told me that. Would she lie? And Damon said Aurora disfigured Mrs. Newton by attacking her at a party. I can't manage a student who's so crass and arrogant. I don't want to risk any of my students ending up in the hospital because of her."

Frank was taken aback. Maura and Damon were top students at Mercida High School, and he had a high opinion of them. Yet, judging from Aurora's behavior that day, she didn't seem like someone who caused trouble. Ruby's words left Frank in a difficult position.

"Aurora scored a perfect score on the entrance exam," Frank replied.

"I already explained that to you. She cheated. You know how predictable the school's test questions are—they're always recycled. Does that sound like real ability to you? It was a fluke, plain and simple."

"Even if it was cheating, a perfect score is still impressive." Frank tried to advocate for Aurora, but Ruby was a distinguished teacher with considerable influence and a class of top-tier students. Her opinion carried significant weight at Mercida High.

"No need to say more, Mr. Gil. If Aurora's so exceptional, why not put her in Class F? Maybe she'll raise their average and help them outperform my class." Ruby knew her reasoning was weak, but Maura and Damon had prejudiced her against Aurora. Most importantly, Aurora had crossed the Newton family, and Ruby wanted no part in any resulting conflict.

"Ms. Bates—" Frank began, but Aurora interrupted, "I'm not going to Class A." Having overheard the conversation, Aurora entered. To her, Ruby lacked basic integrity and was unfit to be a teacher. Aurora had no intention of studying under her. If not for Clearwater High School's poor facilities, she wouldn't have come to Mercida High in the first place. In her past life, she hadn't attended this school, so she hadn't realized how unimpressive some teachers were.

"Fine, as long as it's not with this teacher," Aurora said, her gaze intense.

Ruby's face flushed; she lost her composure under Aurora's dismissive gaze. She now fully believed everything Maura and Damon had said. Aurora was trouble—a rebellious delinquent. She was convinced Aurora's presence would ruin the school's atmosphere.

"Perfect, I don't want to see her either," Ruby snapped, grabbing her lesson plan and storming out. "She belongs with the lazy good-for-nothings in Class F. They're a perfect match."

"Aurora," Frank called, attempting to mediate. "Class A has the best teaching in the city. If there's a misunderstanding, perhaps you and Ms. Bates can clear the air. No need to make things so difficult." Frank wasn't verbose, but he genuinely appreciated Aurora's potential and hoped she'd remain and bring recognition to the school.

Aurora, however, was curious about Class F. What kind of students would earn such a negative reputation from Ruby?

With a grin, she shrugged. "I'm joining Class F."

As she entered Class F, she noticed the unusual atmosphere. The back was noisy, with students chatting and moving around; the front was eerily quiet, with students hunched over their desks. The class seemed divided into two worlds.

"Is that a new teacher?" a student asked, spotting Aurora at the door. Realizing her age, they corrected themselves, "The new student!"

Aurora nodded but said nothing.

"Whatever," the student shrugged.

With plenty of empty seats, Aurora chose one at the back by the window. A few students in the front glanced at her—some curious, others sympathetic—but quickly returned to their work, barely acknowledging her presence.

Aurora wrinkled her nose. It was strange to receive so little attention, especially from high schoolers, who usually created a fuss. In Class F, she was practically invisible.

"Hey, new girl!" A boy with spiky hair and hip-hop attire leaned over her desk. Before Aurora could react, he pulled out his phone.

Erik Woods waved the phone triumphantly. "I'm posting this in the school group chat right now. Finally, something this class can be first in—a goddess."

Aurora didn't stop him. Many students had already taken her picture. Stopping them all would be impossible. This reaction, however, wasn’t the usual indifference.

The group chat exploded with messages:

[Who is this girl? Anyone know her info!] [Oh no. I think I’ve fallen for her. I hereby declare her my new goddess.] [Whoa, the hot gal I ran into this morning ended up in Class F! I thought she was a transfer student for Class A.]

Erik, initially smug, frowned at a message:

[What’s wrong with Class F!!] [Come on, let’s be real. No teacher even wants to teach your class. This year’s Class F is the biggest embarrassment in Mercida High School history. They’ll probably cancel it next year.] [Cancel it? More like raising the bar so people like them can’t get in.]

The chat devolved into a roast of Class F, quickly veering off-topic.

Erik deflated, slumping in his seat. It was always like this—no matter the subject, it always ended with everyone mocking Class F. It was the school's favorite pastime.

"What's going on?" Aurora asked.

"See for yourself." Erik showed Aurora his phone. Aurora scanned the messages, her interest piqued. "Tell me about Class F."

It was supposed to be class time, but no teacher had arrived. Erik casually straddled his chair, rocking back and forth as he explained, "Everyone in our class barely made it into Mercida High, so we were dumped into Class F. But once we got in, we couldn't keep up with the good students. Those who could afford private tutors and those who couldn’t made the gap even larger. Eventually, the divide widened. Those with decent grades transferred to Class D, and the rest of us… well, you see what’s left."

Aurora raised an eyebrow, surprised. "Don't tell me you can't afford a tutor? Judging by your expensive accessories..." Erik didn't look financially strapped.

Erik looked sheepish. "Then there are people like me—total slackers. I'm here just to appease my family. Studying? Not really my thing. I got into Mercida High by some miracle, just to keep my folks off my back."