Chapter 28

"There are only thirty files here. There are thirty-five students in the class," Mrs. Cooper remarked, counting the submitted assignments with a discerning eye. Ruby stood before her desk, feeling her heart race as she desperately searched for a plausible excuse. Lying was never her strong suit, and the pressure of the situation intensified her nervousness.

A chill ran through Ruby's body, causing her to shiver. In her rush that morning, she had forgotten her jacket at home. Now, with the cold air seeping into the classroom, her bare arms were left vulnerable to its nibbling touch. Despite her repeated attempts to hush the noise, the class continued to buzz behind her. The role of class representative was proving to be more challenging than she had anticipated, and she longed for the day when she could relinquish the responsibility.

From her elevated platform, Mrs. Cooper gazed down at Ruby, her expression expectant. "Ruby?" she called, prompting Ruby to look up abruptly, her shoulde