Noelle's words hung sharp and heavy in the air. Silence crashed down, disbelief etched on every face.

Xenia's face burned, tears welling. "Noelle, I was only trying to comfort you! I didn't mean—"

Betty exploded. "Don't be ungrateful! So your grades are better? You didn't even get first in the city! Why so high and mighty?"

Xenia's usual protectors joined in. "Noelle, your grades are great, your gaming skills are amazing, but you can't put everyone down! Xenia was just being nice."

Noelle sneered. "I don't need her niceness."

Xenia sniffled. "Don't argue with her for me. She's just upset about the exam, I understand."

Rachel snapped, "Understand? Don't play the victim! You stole Noelle's stationery!" Rumors of Noelle's poor language exam score circulated; Rachel instantly suspected Xenia.

Xenia feigned innocence. "Rachel, that's hurtful! I didn't touch her stationery. Bad luck, I guess." Secretly, she felt a surge of relief.

Noelle scoffed. "Who says I did poorly?" She hadn't planned this, but watching Xenia attack Rachel, she couldn't stay silent.

Xenia stammered, "Noelle, stop pretending. We all know."

Betty pressed, "If you did so well, how many points did you get?"

Noelle looked up lazily. "I don't know."

"Tsk, tsk. The results are out! Who are you fooling?"

Rachel’s eyes widened. "Or maybe her score's blocked."

Leaning back, Noelle exuded effortless confidence. Xenia fidgeted, unease coiling in her gut. No, she thought, she's lying.

Betty agreed. "She's saving face. Nobody knows her score." Xenia shared the thought, yet Noelle's calm demeanor planted a seed of doubt.

Xenia tried, "Noelle, you've worked hard. Good grades aren't everything. You don't need this pressure."

Before Noelle could reply, Rachel shot back, "Jealous, Xenia? Everyone sees Noelle's abilities. Maybe she aced it. Blocked scores happen!"

Betty countered, "But her usual grades? How could she suddenly do that well? And get into the city's top fifty?"

Skepticism filled the room. Then Lionel strode in, beaming. "Everyone! I'm treating you all to celebrate our city's top scorer!"

A collective gasp erupted. "The city's top scorer is in our class?!"