Chapter 18
The teacher sighed. “Evelina, you’ve been daydreaming a great deal lately. You haven’t mastered the material we’ve covered, and this will negatively impact your exam scores.”
Evelina’s cheeks flushed. “I’m sorry. It won’t happen again.”
Her friend quickly interjected, “Lemira has been very focused lately. I’m sure she knows the answer.”
All eyes turned to Lemira, many anticipating a humorous failure. Lemira’s grades typically lagged behind Evelina’s, making a correct answer seem unlikely.
But Lemira stood, answering the question clearly and correctly.
The teacher looked surprised. “Correct answer, Lemira. You’ve been working hard. The rest of you could learn from her example. Don’t slack off.”
Evelina glared at Lemira, seething with jealousy. If she hadn’t wasted so much time on video games, she could have answered correctly. Lemira had stolen her moment, and it infuriated her. She knew she had to catch up.
Feeling much better after the praise, Lemira skipped her usual visit to the infirmary after school and went straight home to the Langstons’. She needed to be discreet; she didn't want Lucian to suspect anything. Indeed, the butler kept a watchful eye on her upon her arrival.
After dinner, Lemira went to her room, locking the door for a sense of privacy and ease. While doing homework, she considered texting Orion, as she hadn’t seen him that day. But she usually initiated contact; it seemed he wasn’t expecting her.
Should she message him? She stared at her phone, indecisive. Perhaps she could wait. She put down her phone and returned to her homework, but soon her eyelids drooped, the result of a sleepless night. She rested her head on the desk for a moment, and promptly fell asleep.
The next morning, her alarm jolted her awake. She checked the time, surprised it was already morning. After getting ready, she rushed downstairs and hurried to school.
At lunch, she hesitated before heading to the infirmary, but Orion wasn't there. Gathering her courage, she asked the doctor, “Where’s Dr. Everhart?”
“He’s out for lunch.”
Lemira nodded, planning to return after school. She did, but Orion was still absent, a different doctor on duty.
The doctor said, “Young lady, I’m on duty today. Focus on your studies; don’t worry about these things. You’re too young for such concerns.”
Lemira blushed deeply and left without further explanation.
Over the next few days, she visited the infirmary, but Orion remained absent. She felt a sense of loss, having become accustomed to his presence. She realized her dependence on him and quickly adjusted her mindset, reminding herself to rely on her own strengths. She settled down and focused on preparing for the upcoming exams; she couldn't afford to fail.
After the exams, Lemira felt she’d done well—perhaps even placing in the top hundred. However, others complained about the difficulty of the questions.
She opened her phone, hesitant to message Orion. They weren't particularly close. Frustrated by her social awkwardness, she turned off her phone.
Returning home in good spirits, Lemira found the living room bustling with her brothers, who hadn’t attended training camp as scheduled. Her arrival silenced the room, casting a shadow over the festive gathering; she felt like an unwelcome intruder.