Copying a Blank, Framed Anyway
On the day of the state-wide exam, the Johanson family's real daughter accused me of cheating.
Two perfect-score papers lay side by side, identical in every detail. No matter how I argued, I could not clear my name.
Everyone sided with her. They branded me a cheater and cast me out of the Johanson family in front of everyone.
To appease her, the Johansons went even further. They used their influence to blacklist me across every industry within their reach.
I ended up sleeping on the streets. One hardship followed another until my thoughts dulled and a car struck me with such force that it sent me airborne.
Even at the end, one question haunted me: "Why did my paper match hers?"
Then I opened my eyes and found myself back in the exam room.
This time, I turned in a blank sheet. I wanted to see for myself how someone who scored zero could possibly copy anyone.