Chapter 6 Eliza’s Not the Same Anymore.

ss had already started, but Zayden’s gaze kept drifting toward Eliza

She happened to be sitting in the front row–right where he could see her clearly.

Today’s Eliza felt different.

She used to be insecure, always trying to bimitate /bNaomi by wearing her hair down.

But she didn’t know how to manage it, so it always looked like ba /btangled mess.

Today, though. Eliza had tied her hair up, and it changed her entire vibe.

She looked more mature. Moreposed.

Naomi, sitting beside Zayden, noticed he had been bstaring /bat Eliza all morning. The uneasiness in her heart grew.

Of course Eliza didn’t wake her up this morning. So this bwas /bthe n–to get to school early and flirt with Zayden

Sure enough, Eliza ced her worksheet bon /bZayden’s desk band /basked sweetly, “Zayden, I’m having trouble with this question. Can you help bmé /b

Zayden’s thoughts, interrupted by Naomi’s voice, refocused on the paper. One nce told him it was from thest pop quiz.

“Naomi, did you read this wrong?” he basked/b.

“Huh!” Naomi looked down at the worksheet. “No, I didn’t”

“This was bon /bthe bst /bquiz.”

“But I just don’t get it,” Naomi bsaid/b, sounding a little pitiful.

Zayden didn’t say anythingb. /b

He remembered clearly–Naomi had practically gotten a perfect score on that test.

The only change in this question was a single number. There was no reason she shouldn’t understand it.

Naomu sensed his silence and, though she didn’t understand why, suddenly felt flustered. Trying bto /bcover it up, she feigned annoyance and snatched the paper hack. “Fine, whatever. I’ll figure it out myself.”

Even Eliza, sitting in the very front, could hear Naomi’s whiny tone.

Naomi bloved /bto act pouty around Zayden–band /bhe indulged it.

Zayden had always been drawn to girls who were a little clingy, a little spoiled. Meanwhile, in her bpast /blife, Eliza had kept everything bottled up, never said a word even when she was hurt.

To Zayden, her silence had been unbearably dull.

Dying once had taught Eliza the bitter truth: spoiled girls get what they want.

The bell rang, and the ss finally rxed. But instead of the usual change bof /bbteachers/b, the bhomeroom /bteacher bwalked /bin alongside the math instructor.

His face was serious–something big wasing,

His eyesnded on Zayden and Naomi

“Zayden, Naomi,” he said, “there’s a cityb–/bwide mathpetitioning up. Each ss gets to send two students. Based on the scores, I think you two are the best fit. Fill out this form after bss/b. You’ll be doing weekend prep–this baward /bcarries a lot of weight

The words mathpetition made Eliza’s heart skip.

Chapter 6 Eliza’s Not the Same Anymore

In her past life, this had happened at the exact same time.

The city–levelpetition had been prestigious–great for boosting an SAT application

+8 Pearls

Back then, she and Naomi had switched test papers during the monthly bexams/b, which led the teacher to believe Naomi was the stronger student. Naomi ended up going to thepetition with Zayden.

But Naomi didn’t have the math skills. To cover it up, she begged Eliza to wear a mask andpete in her ce.

In the end. bNaomi /bgot all the glory. She and Zayden stood together on the winners‘ podium like some kind of dream couple.

bThat /bmathpetition bhad /bbeen the turning point in both of their lives.

This time, Eliza wasn’t about to let bthat /bopportunity slip baway/b.

Before Naomi could respond, Eliza stood up and said, “Teacher, I’d like to be considered for one of the spots”

A wave of whispers spread through the ssroom.

“Eliza’s lost it. This is a city–wide contest–what makes her bthink /bshe can do it?”

“Rightb? /bNaomi got perfect scores in thest two math exams. Eliza barely scrapes by.”

“She’s really willing to do anything to chase Zayden. Doesn’t even care if she embarrasses the whole school.”

The ss made no effort to hide their scorn.

The teacher looked troubled. “Eliza, I understand this bis /ban important opportunity, but it’s meant for students who are ready. Naomi’s bmath /bgrades have been much better than yours. If you want to try next year-

“Sir Eliza interrupted, “I know my recent test scores haven’t been great, but I bused /bbto /bconsistently rank top three in the grade for math. I believe I have bwhat /bit takes to earn that spotb./b”

Her eyes were steady, filled with determination.

The teacher hesitated..

Her historical performance was more stable.

But Naomi had stood out in the most recent exams.

As he weighed his options, Naomi suddenly stood up.

“Teacher,” she said, “Eliza’s performance is more consistent than mine. I only did well thest two times because I got lucky I think she deserves the spot more than I do.”

Naomi had always been the bteacher’s /bfavorite.

Eliza had expected this

Naomi knew she wasn’t capable of handling thepetition. In their past life, she’d only turned to Eliza to cover for her when there was no other bway /bout

Now that it hade up so suddenly, she had to back out early–put on a bshow /bof generosity to leave a good impression

This way, she avoided the risk of failing in front of beveryone/b.

The teacher looked touched. “That works too. But Eliza, if byour /bbperformance /bin the next two weeks doesn’t meet expectations. I’ll still reassign bthe /bspot to your sister.”

“Understood, sir. I bwon’t /blet you down.”

Math, English, and French had always been Eliza’s strengths.

She’d forgotten most of it over the y

years, but that it

just 17

bmade /bthe weekend prep sessions even more important.

Chapter 6 Eliza’s Not the Same Anymore

Zayden stared at Eliza’s profile, eyebrows furrowing even deeper.

Eliza had balways /bbeen cautious, passive–just went along with whatever people said.

When had she be brave enough to fight for something?

“Naomi, you’re way too kind. You’re just giving up a chance like thisb?/b”

“Exactly. With your grades, you’re guaranteed to win something. This would look great on your bSATS/b!”

“That’s Naomi for you–so sweet! If Eliza weren’t her sister, I’d bhave /bbcussed /bher out by now.”

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bNaomi /bput on a pained expression. “Please don’t say that. Eliza’s my sister. If she wants something. I’ll always give it to her.”

Eliza, sitting not far baway/b, snapped her book shut coldly.

Disgusting.

Absolutely nauseating.

Zayden had been watching Eliza the whole time. Then suddenly, under everyone’s eyes, he stood up and walked straight over

to her.

“Zayden. Naomi froze.

Zayden grabbed Eliza by the arm and, without a word, pulled her out of the ssroom.

Caught off guard, Eliza frowned. “Zayden, let go of me!”