Devine Orion

Chapter 4

“We should study hard for the exam!” A girl screamed and ran heading to the library.

Everyone in the Academy is heading to the library or doing a group study anywhere in the academy. The news was like a bomb dropped inside the gym that made everyone in panic. Who wouldn’t be? If the exam is the key to enter Lacroix? It was like you place a million dollar in the middle of poverty unguarded.

Even Alice is no where to be found. The last time I saw her is she’s cramming and heading to the library. I did not join her because I still need to finish another paper for Miss Cortez.

I rested myself on a bench with a small round green table. A tree is giving a shade and it made the temperature better protecting me from the glaring sun outside.

I am writing the paragraph when I heard someone is talking behind me but it was like almost a whisper but enough for me to hear.

“That’s her right?” A girl’s voice said.

“Yeah that’s her. It’s expected that she will be the first one who’s in the position. It’s impossible to beat her.” Another one said.

“I don’t know why they still need to have the test, if only the smartest can have the chance.”

“Duh, we all know the smartest here is Athena. But the second place is still undetermined since there are fews who are fighting for it.”

“It’s Helena and Saxon who’s fighting for the second place...But god is so unfair, she’s already too beautiful and still she’s a genius! She have it all!” She complained.

I frowned when I heard my name and they are talking about me. Though I am used to it but still I don’t like hearing something like this.

“Yeah. It’s a pity that she was born here in Dunkirk. Her standing fits to be in Lacroix.”

“I know. No matter how much I envy her, I could not even hate her. I mean, she’s smart and everything and humble.”

“I know. She’s not a person you would like to hate.”

I purse my lips tight and without a warning I stood up and gather my things. It feels too awkward when you hear someone talking about you. Why can’t they stop talking about me?

I walked my way to the vast ground and found a good shade there. There is no one walking around the area. So I smile and immediately put my bag and sat on the ground and leaned my back on the tree bark.

I continued drafting. This would be easier if I have a computer but all computers are now occupied by the students. They are studying and I can’t dare to go there and use one while they need one.

I guess I’ll just print out the paper after the class ends. I would running home late if that would be the case but I know, mother will understand. I just concentrated my mind on doing the draft when finally the bell rang for my last period.

I stood up immediately and running towards our room. It’s professor Burrow’s class, and Alice hate this class so much. When I entered the room, I disregard the stares from my classmates but I found Alice sitting and grinning at me.

“You’re late!” She spat.

I raised my brow. I am not late since I still have 5 minutes left before the arrival of professor Burrow.

“You’re just too early.” I answered and then I put my things on my desk just beside Alice and sat on the chair.

“Instead of studying I should be bidding my goodbye to you. Without a doubt, you’ll ace the exam and will win the ticket to Lacroix.” She mumbled as she stared on her book and smiled a bit.

“Hhmm...should I fail the exam then?” I asked jokingly with a straight face.

Her eyes went wide and objection is too visible on her face. “No! You can’t. You should ace the exam! I will hate you if you’ll fail intentionally!” She snarled.

“Okay fine. Just relax, I am just kidding.” I laughed but stopped immediately. I don’t usually laugh, only with countable times.

“Jeez, you’re scaring me!” She pouted. I wonder why she looks like a duck in my eyes when she do that.

“You’re just too serious. And it’s not guaranteed that I will be the one who’s going to pass. I may pass but someone else might be.” I answered. That’s true. It doesn’t mean that I have a photographic memory, it’s already guaranteed the first place. s**t happens sometimes and we don’t have any control of it.

“Well, you have a point but still, you have to ace it. You have to prove that we, from Dunkirk are capable of acing a test. That we are smart like them.” She said with a determined expression while looking at the board.

“Okay fine. I’ll do it, but promise me you will do your best as well.” I asked her with a pleading eyes. If only I can choose who can go with me to Lacroix, I will surely choose Alice.

Alice gave me a smirk. “Of course, I don’t want to have a failing remarks!”

I laughed because of her remarks. Who would like to fail to a test? You might not be the best but still you don’t want to be at the bottom and have the lowest grade.

“Good afternoon class.” My eyes was averted to professor Burrow when he suddenly entered the room without warning. “Pass your assignments within 10 seconds.... 10.......9........8.......” he counted.

Everyone of us squealed and having a marathon on passing our papers to the front. He doesn’t like late papers and he will disposed it to the bin if your paper is late even for a second. 

Alice already tasted that nightmare and it serves as a lesson to everyone of us. Professor Burrow looks like a typical nice guy but that’s just a facade. He is cruel but still great when it comes to teaching.

All of our papers are already in front before he was finished from counting. We are like this everytime we have class in his subject. He likes to watch when everyone is freaking out. He likes to have a surprise super long quizzes. For short, he’s a monster inside the class.

If I don’t have a photographic memory, I am probably one of the students who will loath him.

“Alright get one whole sheet of paper, we are going to have a long quiz. 100 items.” Everyone groaned in frustration.

“Oh god, just kill me.” Alice whispered in frustration.

I shook my head and eyed my professor who’s now preparing his questionnaire.

“Number one it is a term for when a taxing authority, usually a government, levies or imposes a tax. Again, it is a term for when a taxing authority, usually a government, levies or imposes a tax.” He dropped the question like a nuclear bomb to everyone of us.

I immediately write down the answer. I already read the whole book and it’s impossible for me to miss it.

I saw how the faces of my classmates turn sour and some was able to answer it right away. The answer is just simply in the definition itself. It’s taxation, but this lesson is far more advance than what was taught from the previous lesson.

The quiz continued and I was able to aced the long quiz. 

The discussion continued with the explanation the lesson of what we just answered in our quiz. He’s like that. He always do the quiz first before teaching the lesson.

The class ended so fast and we already finished our last subject for today. Alice and I decided to go home together after we went to the library to print the drafts that I had earlier, while most of the students are almost living in the library instead of going home.

Tomorrow will be the test, who will determine on who’s going and who’s not.

I need to ace the test, for my family. I need to ace the test, for Dunkirk.