Chapter 4

When I saw Zoey's comment, I chuckled. So, she still believed she deserved that admission spot. It was just temporarily in my hands.

Not long after, she sent me a message. "Nina, are you asleep?"

I replied to her. "No."

She quickly sent a long message.

"I didn't mean to blame you for what happened in the assembly room today. I just thought that accepting that spot so suddenly might have been a bit impulsive.

"I know you've been under a lot of pressure lately, and I know you really want to beat me at least once. But a recommended admission isn't something to take lightly. Are you really going to give up the college entrance exam just because your pride got the better of you for a moment?"

I stared at the screen, feeling disgusted at her words. She was always like this. She always spoke gently, as if she were thinking of others. Yet, every word made me feel smaller.

I replied, "Zoey, I didn't accept the offer to beat you. I did it for myself."

She remained silent for a long time. Then, she sent one more message. "Then, I hope you won't regret it."

I replied. "Good luck on the college entrance exam."

She didn't reply again.

…

The next morning, I had barely stepped into the classroom for self-study when I noticed that something was off.

Zoey sat in the front row with tears in her eyes. A math test paper sat on her desk.

Winnie was sitting beside her as she deliberately raised her voice. "Zoey, you're just too kind. A certain someone may have taken your admission spot, but she actually has started to believe it's hers."

Zoey said softly, "Don't say that. Nina was just seizing an opportunity."

Winnie sneered, "Seizing an opportunity? She still has to see whether Austin University will agree."

She deliberately looked my way and raised her voice even more. "It's not like anyone can just claim a recommendation spot so quickly.

"Zoey, you're on a whole different level. You're a gold medalist, you ranked first in the entire grade, and you've been personally recognized by professors from Austin University.

"What about a certain someone? She may do well in normal exams, but when it really matters, the difference between you two is enormous."

Some people in the classroom laughed.

Others also chimed in.

"Exactly. The school might allow the offer to be passed on, but that doesn't mean Austin University will agree."

"This isn't a handout. You can't just take it because you want it."

"Nina was a bit too hasty. What if Austin University refuses her proposal? That'd be so awkward."

"Then, the offer will just go back to Zoey anyway."

Winnie immediately chimed in, "The offer was always meant for Zoey. Some people can grab an opportunity as quickly as they want, but that doesn't mean they have what it takes to hold on to it."

Zoey kept her head down. She gripped the corner of the test paper, but still tried to smooth things over. "Don't say that. Nina might have just acted on impulse."

I put down my schoolbag and walked over to their table.

Winnie looked up at me, and there was a provocative look on her face. "What? Did I say something wrong?"

I looked over at Zoey and asked, "Is that what you think too?"

Zoey looked up at me. Her eyes were still red, but she still sounded innocent as she said, "Of course not, Nina. I'm just worried that you'll get your hopes up, only to be disappointed in the end. After all, Austin University still hasn't officially responded."

Winnie sneered, "Hear that? Zoey is even trying to spare you the embarrassment. If I were you, I'd lay low for now. Don't go around acting like you're actually getting that recommended admission."

I nodded. "Go ahead and wait for their response."

Just then, the classroom door was pushed open. Ms. Williams stood in the doorway. She had a document in her hand, and her expression was difficult to read.

The classroom immediately fell silent. Everyone immediately looked over at her.

Ms. Williams looked at Zoey first. "Zoey, come with me for a moment."

The atmosphere in the classroom changed instantly.

Winnie's eyes lit up, and she immediately nudged Zoey. "I knew it! Austin University must have refused to pass the offer on, so they're having Zoey sign the papers again!"

Some students in the back row chimed in with teasing remarks.

"Looks like the spot is going to Zoey after all."

"That's to be expected. Austin University isn't stupid."

"With someone at Zoey's level, no student who came in second could possibly replace her."

Zoey slowly stood up. She adjusted the cuffs on her school uniform. When she looked up again, the anguish in her eyes had faded, replaced by an unmistakable look of triumph.

When she passed by me, she paused for a moment. Then, she looked at me with a smile. It was as if something that was never meant to be mine would eventually return to her.

Winnie burst out laughing. "A certain someone spent the whole night thinking she had gotten the spot. In the end, she still had to give it back."

I remained silent.

Zoey reached the door and asked sweetly, "Ms. Williams, has Austin University gotten back to us?"

Ms. Williams glanced at her and replied, "Yeah."

A smile crept onto Zoey's lips. She reached out to take the documents from Ms. Williams.

However, a second later, Ms. Williams stepped aside and looked over at me. "Nina, why are you still sitting there?"