Even Top Students Fail

Lilith stood by the blackboard, her baggy uniform hiding any curves. Eyes fixed on the bright red grade sheet, her name at the top. Yesterday's chat with her homeroom teacher echoed in her mind. "Lilith, you're excelling. Keep this up, and Harvard or Oxford might be in your future. My bonus depends on you, so don't let me down!" Despite her maturity, Lilith felt a thrill at the praise. Her teacher, known for being tough and experienced, had guided countless graduating classes. Such words meant her two years of hard work hadn't been wasted. In her final year, tension mounted. Monthly mock exams would soon become weekly, maybe even twice a week near the end. The school would test them until they were numb. Lilith knew this because she was living high school for the second time. Her first go had been a series of near-misses. Always a top student, but always falling short. Two points shy of the key high school, one point from her dream uni, barely missing her chosen grad program. Even her sunny spirit had dimmed. Add in post-grad job woes, and Lilith had found herself drinking too much at a classmate's wedding. She'd woken up back at the start of high school, gifted a do-over. Lilith attended First High, the city's top school. She'd missed the cut-off before, but her parents, Louis and Maria, had scraped together a hefty "school selection fee" to get her in. They were far from rich, but never skimped on her education. The memory of her dad queuing in the heat to pay that fee was vivid. With limited spots, many parents had lined up from dawn. When Louis emerged with her acceptance, his back was soaked. The amount had shocked sixteen-year-old Lilith. Until then, her piggy bank held the most cash she'd seen. This planted seeds of pressure in the usually carefree Lilith's mind. She'd studied hard throughout high school, but fate seemed set against her until her rebirth. Before her do-over, Lilith had often wished for another chance. When that wish came true, surprise quickly became determination. She threw herself into her studies with new vigor. Back at the start of high school, armed with future knowledge and grit, Lilith became the class dark horse. By year's end, she'd caught the eye of the elite experimental class teachers. After much thought, Lilith chose to stay in her regular class, just like before. First High had three tiers: fee-paying, regular, and experimental classes. The experimental class got the best of everything. There was a chance to move up before sophomore year, but it was rare for fee-paying students to make it. In her first life, Lilith had only managed a regular class spot. This time, with her edge, Lilith's grades soared, earning an invite to the experimental class. But she wasn't as keen now. She liked her current setup, and much was familiar. Plus, the pressure there was intense. Even with her second chance, Lilith wasn't sure she could stay on top there. She figured she might get more attention in the regular class. Of course, she had her own hidden reasons too. Louis and Maria were a bit let down, but they got it. Being a big fish in a small pond had perks, and even a regular class at First High was impressive. Lilith's choice was partly due to memory gaps. Despite her efforts, she'd forgotten a lot. She could've scraped by in the experimental class, but wouldn't have shone. Her current performance was impressive without raising eyebrows. As she progressed, Lilith's adaptation improved and her grades climbed. By senior year, she'd clawed into the top twenty overall. Given First High's stellar college admission rates - with loads of students making top unis each year - Lilith's ranking made her the envy of peers. At First High, they said if you cracked the top 200, you were halfway to an elite uni. Lilith, in the top twenty, was a bona fide study legend. This academic halo brought Lilith perks: teacher attention, preferential treatment, parental pride, and hallway whispers. "That's Lilith," they'd say. "Regular class, but always top twenty. And she started in the fee-paying class!" No surprise there. In school, grades were everything. Excellence guaranteed admiration. Unknown to Lilith, she'd become an icon for the fee-paying classes. Teachers used her to motivate their students. Pressure at First High was intense, for students and teachers alike. Lilith's success had boosted the fee-paying classes, inspiring some promising juniors. Of course, none quite matched Lilith's feats. Truth be told, all this praise made Lilith uneasy. She knew she wasn't as brilliant as they thought. Compared to the real prodigies in the experimental class, she had far to go. Her edge was her mature mindset and better stress handling, thanks to her mental decade on her peers. By senior year, most of the syllabus was covered. The looming college entrance exam would test mental grit as much as knowledge. Lilith's advantage came from her extra years, letting her hold her own among these young elites. But she didn't dare slack off, knowing any slip could leave her behind. After all, she was up against millions nationwide. Given a second shot at life, she was determined not to repeat past mistakes.