35. Examination malpractice.

VIENNE’S POV

I didn't panic.

There was no ounce of anxiety in me, just as always whenever it's time to write a test or exam; be it notified or impromptu.

Today was the day for the test and I sat on my seat, calmly and patiently waiting for the teacher to come in with the test papers. I only let out a tiny exhale, my eyes darting around at my mates in the class as some quietly revised and some frantically talked about the test.

My arms were folded before me and I took a side glance at my seat partner.

“Just so you know, I won't answer you if you try to ask me for an answer during the test. I don't take part in examination malpractices” I haughtily announced to him and I earned a condescending snort from him.

“So?” He dryly asked thereafter without even sparing me a glance. I don't know what to call whatever oozed out of him; maybe non-challance or overconfidence, I couldn't tell. He was just too relaxed, rivaling me in fact.

My next retort died in my mouth, immediately the teacher in charge of the invigilation entered. She happened to be the chemistry teacher, Miss Donati.

“Your cellphones, please!!”

The teacher yelled, handing a basket to the class governor. “Collect their cellphones.” She instructed as she walked towards the podium.

“Make sure it's locked and silent too.”

She spared us a minute while she also sorted out the test papers.

A few minutes later, she began sharing the question and answer papers.

“You can start, please” her voice bellowed at us.

“And let me remind you…” her eyes squinted as if promising us doom. “Don't let me catch you trying to play funny.” she doesn't need to say much.

Examination malpractice was almost a forbidden topic not to talk of carrying it out. If you don't get caught, you're lucky and if you're not, it's a non-negotiable expulsion.

Over 30 minutes, pens and hands danced over the papers and soon the invigilator was collecting the papers from us; we were done.

She walked out with the sheets as some students also left the classroom right after her to wherever; Amelia had also left the classroom, but I never thought much about it. She could go wherever she wants to, but it's a bit odd seeing her leave without Ryan. I was becoming nosy; Ryan also didn't seem to mind her absence as he listened to jokes by his friends and some other girls.

I turned sharply towards Damon after checking out my face on my phone's screen.

“Calloway? Do you think I should get cosmetic surgery? Like thinning my lips?”

He slowly looked up at me from his cellphone, his eyes gently running over my face as if memorizing or analysing something. Something abnormally more serious than the question I asked seemed to pass between us and I was almost telling him to stop looking at my face.

“And then, you'd go around looking like a fish.” He deadpanned as a blush crept up my neck.

Just then, Grace walked up to my seat with a purse and she fumbled with it.

“Why are you staring at your lips like that? I don't understand how you could go for days, coming to school without a lip gloss. Look, check out my collection.” She suddenly started rambling, spreading out her lip glosses. “We could check out some after sch_”

“Vienne Reyes!!”

A voice suddenly thundered throughout the classroom, catching everyone's attention. The voice was nowhere near friendly and the fact that it addressed me had a bit of fear settling in me.

I was up on my feet, wondering what could have happened. Everyone had their attention on me and our homeroom teacher accompanied by the invigilating teacher.

“Yes, Mrs Ray”

“Please, step forward” whatever was the case had clearly made her very upset. I did as she demanded, stepping towards where she stood.

“This is an issue I want to believe isn't true.” Mrs Ray continued. “A classmate of yours claimed to have seen you with some sheets containing some writings before the test.”

The mortification that came upon me at that moment had me dumbfounded. I had just been accused of malpractice.

“No. No_that can't be_” I tried to stumble out.

“That's my hope too. But the classmate also claimed to have seen you put them back into your bag after the test.”

At this point, I was noting the seriousness of this issue. I couldn't even ask who the person was because it was obvious Miss Ray wasn't planning to reveal it. Who went to lie against me then? Calloway? I turned to him but he had a frown on his face too as he watched everything unfold… who?

Amelia standing by the class entrance had me wondering no more. She had followed the teacher after the test…

“It's not.. It's not me! Mrs Ray. I didn't…”

“Exactly. So we will carry out a search to prove you right.” She turned to the class governor. “Please, search thoroughly.”

“I would do that with her.” Miss cut in.

“Alright, no problem.”

The two made their way to my seat, grabbing my bag and books; they flipped through pages and fumbled through my bag. Imagine my horror-stricken face when the class governor held out some sheets.

Immediately, Miss Donati snatched it from her, her eyes skimming through.

“Here is it.”

She walked forward, towards my homeroom teacher who accessed it with disappointment. She shook her head, sighing.

“I expected more from you, Vienne.”

My eyes trained on the paper in her hand too; they were filled with scribbled formulas related to the test’s topic “Mrs Ray, I didn't do it. I don't even know how that got into my_”

“Then who kept them there? I? A ghost?” Miss Domati lightly sneered. “I knew something like this would happen soon, since you started sitting with Calloway. Thee bad influence is showing up _”

“Miss. Dinati, please” Mrs Ray almost snapped with a frown. “That is out of context. There are two different things. Let's sort this out first.”

I could hear my heart hammering against my ribcage, Mrs Ray turned to me sharply. “This matter would have to be taken to the principal Vienne”