Chapter 16
Tompkan, think… Or could it be? Bordered by resentment, Aurora felt she had everything to lose. Alison scoffed inwardly. Who does this country girl think she is? Maura, however, felt a surge of excitement. This bet was a test, a chance to prove herself. Chin held high, Aurora declared, “I bet Class F will win!” The words hung in the air. One of the students scoffed. "Class F? Taking first place? They might as well wake up!"
The crowd gathered, swelling with onlookers drawn in by the commotion. Hearing Aurora's boast, they excitedly called their friends. Even Aurora’s classmates were astonished.
Erik approached Aurora, tugging her sleeve. He whispered, “Aurora, are you sure you're not overestimating us? I'm just a regular student.”
Maura, sensing the shift, had a glint in her eye. Glass A is packed with top-tier students, she thought, some even national competitors. Yet, Class F, the class teachers barely bother with, could actually win.
Fearing the consequences, Maura stepped forward. “Aurora, don’t be so reckless. There's a vast difference between Classes A and F. I know you're eager to prove yourself, but this will only hurt you in the end.”
Alison, exasperated by Maura's concern, pulled on her arm. “Maura, why are you still worrying about her? Remember how she treated you? She wants to show off, so let her. We can't deny her this chance, can we?”
Alison glared at Aurora. “Alright, Aurora. I'm in. But what happens if you lose?”
Aurora remained calm. “If I lose, I’ll leave Merida High School. How’s that?”
A gasp rippled through the crowd. “Wow, our little country girl has guts.”
Someone from Class A scoffed, “Oh, please. Class F students are all the same—ignorant and arrogant.”
Another student added, “If Class F loses, the whole class should leave.”
“Merida High doesn't need losers dragging the school down,” someone else snapped.
Alison’s eyes gleamed. She’d only wanted to get rid of Aurora, but taking down the whole of Class F would be even better. “Well! You got the guts?” she asked, chin high, surrounded by her classmates, radiating confidence.
Maura, feigning concern, said, “Aurora, the gap between Class A and F is obvious. You have a whole class to consider. Don't drag them down just to look good.”
Everyone knew most of Class F had purchased their way into Merida High. If Aurora's bet cost them their places, they'd never forgive her.
Margaret McLean was one such student. Not particularly bright, her father, the CEO of McLean Group, had donated a 1.5 million dollar library to secure her enrollment. If Margaret were expelled, Aurora would face serious consequences.
Aurora glanced at Maura, then addressed her classmates. “Look, they think nothing of you. Don’t you want to wipe those smug smiles off their faces? Don't you want to show them what you're capable of?”
A resounding “Hell yeah” echoed through the group. This was their dream all along.
Erik, staring at the floor, felt a warmth in his eyes. He longed to be like the Class A students, admired and praised. But his mind didn't work that way – books overwhelmed him, so he stopped trying. It wasn't that he didn't want to succeed; it felt stacked against him.
He looked up into Aurora’s clear, determined eyes. The weight of her hand on his shoulder bolstered his courage. He declared, "Even without this bet, we're likely leaving Merida soon anyway. So why not go out with a bang?"
One by one, the rest of Class F joined in. Even Margaret, hesitantly, agreed.
With Class F united, Aurora turned to Maura and Alison. "We're ready. Will you two officially represent Class A?"
Alison puffed out her chest, brimming with arrogance. "Of course, we can.” Trash is trash, she thought, no matter how much there is. Class A had always won, and this time would be no different.
Alison despised Class F, viewing them as societal scum unworthy of sharing her space.
Maura, however, felt her frustration dissipate. She was ready to enjoy the show. If Class F got expelled, all the better.
"See you when the results are in, Aurora," Alison said, smugly adjusting her hair before noticing many recording the event.
"Hold on," Aurora interrupted. "If we win, what about your..."
"That's impossible," Alison scoffed. "Our class could never lose to losers like you." The word "losers" ignited a fire in Class F.
Erik stepped forward, towering over Alison. He sneered, "Careful, shorty. If Class A loses, you clean the toilets."
Their classroom's proximity to the bathrooms made this particularly cutting.
Aurora approved. "I like that idea."
Maura, adopting a helpless demeanor, pleaded, “Aurora, you're family, and Alison's my friend. Must we make this so awkward? You’re putting me in a difficult position.”
Alison sighed, pulling Maura away. "Maura, you're too kind. You can't reason with someone who's made up their mind. If she wants to bet, let her. We're not going to lose to these nobodies?"
Maura glanced back at Aurora, her face a mask of feigned concern. "But… class is starting soon. Let's go," Alison said, hurrying Maura away.