I Studied With the Last-Ranked Boy… Then Came in Second Chapter 03

I Studied With the Last-Ranked Boy… Then Came in Second Chapter 03

Exam day came fast.

The moment I received my math test, I was thrilled.

So many of the problems were exactly the types Declan had gone over with me.

I wrote furiously.

For the first time, I finished the entire exam before time was up.

After the test, we checked the answer key.

I estimated my score at a little over seventy.

I let out a long breath.

At least, I probably wouldn’t finish last this time.

The next day, the grades were posted.

I hurried to the bulletin board, full of hope.

But my name was still at the bottom.

Math: 0.

I stared at the score over and over. My mind went blank.

I dug my fingernails into my palm just to keep myself standing.

How was that possible…?

Sienna smiled as she patted my shoulder.

“Pack your stuff and head back to General Education class. Don’t make Mrs. Harper kick you out.”

“Looks like I was right. You and Declan really did end up last and second-to-last. You can keep being desk mates in the regular class.”

My fingers clenched. I shoved past her and ran to the faculty office.

My score had to be wrong.

Mr. Bennett already seemed to know why I’d come.

“Someone reported you for cheating on the math exam. According to school policy, your score was changed to zero.”

My lips trembled. I was on the verge of crying.

I’d spent that whole week staying up late, watching lectures, grinding problems, running to Declan every break.

I’d finally started improving.

And now, one accusation was enough to send me back to the General Education class?

Why?

I forced myself to stay calm.

“Who reported me? Do they have any proof?”

“You can check the exam footage. I solved every problem myself.”

Adrian looked up from the papers he was grading for the teacher. His voice was flat.

“I did.”

“I looked over your answer sheet. Some of your solutions were unusually original.”

“There were approaches even I might not have thought of during the exam. So someone at your level? No way.”

“You’re just desperate to pass and stay near me. Calling you out for cheating—what’s wrong about that?”

Just then, the office door opened. Sienna walked in carrying a stack of exams.

She set them on Mr. Bennett’s desk.

When she saw my red eyes, she sneered.

“Still pretending you’re innocent?”

“You couldn’t even pass the last Pop Quiz. And suddenly, one week later, your score jumps twenty points?”

“Come on. We all know what happened.”

My face flushed bright red. I raised my voice.

“I’ve been studying with my desk partner! He taught me a lot of different problem types.”

The moment I finished speaking, even Mr. Bennett couldn’t help smiling.

Sienna doubled over laughing.

“Your desk partner?”

“Every exam, Declan fills in the multiple-choice section, then falls asleep. He probably can’t even solve the long-answer problems. And you’re saying he taught you?”

Adrian stood up.

“If you’re going to make up lies, at least make believable ones.”

“Stop embarrassing yourself. Go pack your books. You’re missing the next class.”

I lowered my head. But I didn’t move.

I wouldn’t give up.

I looked straight at Mr. Bennett.

“What if I score even higher on the next quiz?”

“I can sit at the desk next to yours, where you can watch me the whole time.”

Mr. Bennett hesitated.

A few moments later, he nodded.

“If you actually do it, I’ll restore your score.”

Adrian’s expression darkened.

“If you’re determined to humiliate yourself, I won’t stop you.”

I smiled.

There was no point arguing anymore.

The next exam would prove everything.

“Then let’s wait and see.”