“Do I need to bexin /bwhat a 120–point gap means!” Zayden tapped the desk. his voice bcalm /band cutting. “Top students are top students. You’ll never catch up”

Eliza smiled faintly

He was right–there was a 120–point gap between her and Naomi.

He just didn’t know who bwas /breally ahead.

If it hadn’t been for the test–switching, Naomi wouldn’t have even made it into the top fifty in their grade

Zayden, you’ve got it all backwards.

“Zayden Eliza said, lifting her head, “are you just bored and looking for someone to talk to? I’m bbusy/b. I have studying to do. Please don’t waste my time.

She had no intention of arguing with him further.

But Zayden wouldn’t let it go. “The mathpetition spot was already reassigned to bNaomi/b. You’re out,”

“And”

Eliza put down her pen band /blooked up, her tone icy. “So what? You came here early just to tell me I’m bnot /bgood enough? Or is it that you’re just bored and feel like mocking me? I don’t have time for this. bZayden/bb. /bIf you want attention, there are plenty of girls at this school who’ll give it to you. No need to bother me.”

Zayden’s expression darkened.

It used to be Eliza hanging on his every word, following him around, grateful for even a nce.

bNow/b!

He was the one getting dismissed.

Bang!

Zayden suddenly mmed both hands on her desk, his face cold. “Eliza, I know you only wanted to enter the mathpetition to get close to me. And I know all this distance you’ve been putting ontely is just an art to get my attention But it bwon’t /bwork. Give it up–I’ll never like you.”

Eliza looked up at him, stunned into silence for a second.

Then she startedughing.

Reallyughing

Zayden’s bfrown /bdeepened. “What’s so funny?”

“You are,” she said, eyes glittering with amusement. “You’re overthinking beverything /b

She bent her head and went bback /bto her workbook.

Zayden could think whatever he wanted. Boys at bthis /bbage /bbalways /bthought the world revolved around them.

She bcouldn’t /bbe bothered to bexin/b.

Better to spend the time solving problems.

Watching her work, Zayden assumed he’d hit the bmark /b

Why else would the old Eliza suddenly flip a switch?

“I don’t care bwhat /bgame you’re ying he said. “But bNaomi’s /binnocent. Stop trying to btake /bbadvantage /bof her kindness”

8.37 AM

Chapter 11 Transferring to ss Six

This meaning was clear; he was still stuck on the mathpetition.

Eliza didn’t even blook /bup. She kept working.

She’d already fallen behind in her studies. She didn’t have time to bwaste/b.

As m morning ss neared, the ssroom slowly filled up.

The homeroom teacher knocked on the door. “bEliza/bb, /be with me.”

“Coming.”

She picked up her fully packed bag and walked out calmly.

After she left, the murmurs started

“Where’s Eliza going?”

“You didn’t hear? Her scores droppedb, /bso she’s being moved to ss Six.”

Seriously? Who told you bthat/b?”

“Naomi did. Yesterday,”

Zayden had only stepped out to use the restroom. When he returned, Eliza’s seat was empty.

He heard the girls gossiping and suddenly felt unsettled.

Eliza transferred?

Why hadn’t she said anything?

“Zayden!”

Naomi came bouncing in, cheerfully making her way to his side like always.

But this time, Zayden barely noticed her.

“Zayden? What’s wrong?”

He bhad /bbeen zoning out, Naomi’s voice snapped him back.

“Why did Eliza transfer?”

Naomi’s smile faltered. She tried to sound hurt. “Zayden, is the first thing you ask really about her? bThat’s /bnot fair.

He’d never cared about Eliza before. Naomi felt ufortable.

Zayden, unfazed, set down the breakfast he had prepared for her. “I was just curious”

Seeing the familiar routine, Naomi rxed again. “Her grades weren’t good. The teacher said she had bto /btransfer.

bZayden /bdidn’t reply.

Eliza’sst score was 570. Not bgreat/b–but not bad enough to get bumped to ss Six-

What is she doing?

In ss Six, the desks were scattered,pletely unorganized.

As Eliza stepped inside, a dozen bpairs /bof eyes turned toward her.

+8 Pearls

Chapter 11 Transferring to ss Six

Everyone knew this bwas /bthe ss for underachievers, btroublemakers/b, and kids who didn’t give a dainn.

The rest of the school avoided them like the gue.

+8 Pearls

They were all rich kids who didn’t study–some of them got into fights, some stirred up chaos, and others hung baround /bwith shady people outside school.

But Eliza knew the truth.

These kids? Future CEOs. The ones who’d inherit powerfulpanies.

bBad /bgrades bdidn’t /bmean failure–not when they had business instincts and bfamily /bbacking

These were the people worth knowing.

“This is your new ssmate, Eliza,” the teacher introduced her.

bSilence/b.

The rebellious students looked her over with cold, mocking eyes. The

“ss One, huh? What a rare guest

“Teacher, won’t she be wasted here? So well–bbehaved /band all”

“Yeah, don’t let our bad influence ruin her.”

The rejection was tant.

The homeroom teacher smiled awkwardly and bleaned /btoward Eliza “You’ll have to bear with it. But if you want topete in the mathpetition, this is the only way.”

“I don’t mind,” Eliza said. Tm happy to help you out.”

bss /bSix was also under the bss /bOne homeroom teacher’s care.

Every bss /bhad twopetition slots. All the others had filled theirs.

ss Six was the exception–they had no one qualified.

Eliza transferring inpleted the pair.

“You and Nn study hard,” the teacher said warmly. “You two are ourst hope. I believe in you.”

Nn

The name rang a bell.

Eliza looked around the ssroom, trying to remember where she’d bheard /bit before.