CHAPTER 4: DISCOURAGED RAGE

Carmella's POV

We had fun with how our conversation went. I never expected that within that short period of time, we'll become closer even more.

Sometimes, I felt as if I have known her for a very long time already. However, we went to our second period class, nervous. This is one of the strict teachers I've ever had. I should never go wrong on this. I simply took a glance of Hope who seemed to not have any reaction at all.

I am wondering what she's thinking at this very moment. Is she also nervous? Excited? Or she simply doesn't care?

I noticed her turn to me and she chuckled when she saw me looking so nervous. She secretly held my hand tight as she whispered to my ear...

"Carmella! We can do this! I am also feeling nervous but remember this, we came inside this room prepared so there's nothing to be really worried about."

"Sorry, I can't help it." I said, gently biting my lip as well.

If only she knew how I became amazed on how she's being enthusiastic when she's only a newbie to our school. She's the type that's never running out of confidence to whatever she desires to accomplish. I wonder where did it all come from?

When most of us noticed our Literature teacher arriving, most of us scampered as we went back to our proper seats, sitting straight as we held our chins high as we glanced at what's in front of us.

"Okay class. I am expecting that you're ready for this quiz. Please get a piece of paper and write item one to thirty." I can hear most of my classmates gasped and groaned as quietly as they can. I turned my gaze to my teacher who seemed to enjoy the whole thing. What he's doing right now is really unforgivable. I wonder how could most of the teachers make their students suffer? Is it really what they truly wanted?

"Yes, you all heard it right. Our quiz will be about Shrevakhuk's biography. Are you all ready?" It made my heart race very fast because of excitement and happiness. It is when I realized I am more than ready for this.

I smiled from ear to ear as I glanced at Hope who was giving me a 'thumbs up' sign and a wink.

"Number 1, where is he from?" I secretly glanced around and I can see most of my classmates are scratching their heads. I answered right away until I noticed that the last quiz is for everyone to write our teacher's whole name. Wrong spelling also means wrong. I can't help to chuckle as the crowd continued to groan with tiredness and confusion.

"Okay, please pass the papers as I count from one to five. Everyone's quiz paper should all be on your class monitor's hands before the time."

My classmates became wild as they answered the missed items that they failed to write on."

"One, two, three..."

The class monitor started to gather all the sheets. After I pass mine. I managed to breathe freely when I saw that our teacher gathered the sheets of paper that we answered on.

"Oh my I hope I will get a favorable score from this." I muttered to myself. I glanced at Hope who was giving me a thumbs up again. How I wish I can get that calm and confident reaction, too.

The whole duration the test is really painstalking. Even if I am confident, I can't help but to be nervous since I know I have a secret competitor.

That is, no other than Elise Hope, my best friend. It is really weird. I am not scared of the test itself. I am confident in all of my answers. The only thing that stresses me out this time is the turnaround of events.

I have a lot of questions clouding my mind right now...

"Okay. Times up. Pens down. Please pass your papers in front. This is my final call now."

I noticed a lot of my classmates followed our teacher's order even if some of them are obviously not done yet. Our teacher usually had this rule: pass your paper or get a zero mark in the quiz if you're not following instructions.

I sighed with relief. We checked the papers right away. He made us check our papers by exchanging them to the one beside us.

"As usual, I commend Carmella Ruth for getting the full score." He announced it right away in front of my classmates. I can see that Hope clapped her hands along with the others. I can see that she's very proud of me that I can't help but to awkwardly smile, too.

"Wait, Hope also got the highest score. We have a tie, everyone!" My classmates cheered louder this time around. I secretly closed my fist as I also forced my smile at her. I saw that she's shocked that she stopped clapping. Her facial reaction also changed a bit. I saw her glancing at me as she scratched her head and smiled a little, too. I gave her a two thumbs up even if I don't feel very well.

A part of me can't easily accept that for the first time, somebody tied my score. I feel so bad that I am being stressed out. It gave me a terrible headache all of a sudden.

I never even noticed our teacher already left and we still have less than ten minutes for any kinds of short breaks. I slowly got my water bottle inside my backpack and drank some water. I saw Hope coming towards me. Since one of our classmates is absent, she sat beside me.

"Wow! We did it, Carmella! I am so proud of you!" She giggled in excitement. I just smiled weakly at her.

"You know what? This is my first time answering a quiz since I transferred here. So this is really the feeling." She added, but when she noticed that I was just looking at her, she stopped what she's about to say.

"Are you okay?" She added in a worried tone.

'No, I am not.' I smiled but I just kept these words to myself.

"Y-Yes, of course. I guess I am just tired today, I think."

"Gosh me too! The questions are even tricky, we're only the ones who got everything right! Isn't it amazing?"

'Well, it would be if I am the highest, alone.' How I badly wanted to tell this one in front of her face but I guess I will become too mean for her. Better keep some words to myself.

"Yeah. Staying in the library for two hours helped a lot. I also want to thank you for telling me more about Shrevakhuk."

"See? I told you. He's really awesome. Who would have thought the surprise quiz is all about him. I find the quiz fun!"

"I agree with you. I never expected the things that he did for the sake of his works. He's a badass poet."

"Right. Nobody ever did that but only him." She nodded and chuckled because of how I describe Shrevakhuk.

"Thanks for your help, Hope. If not for you, I will not get an incredible motivation and the highest score like we did right now." She smiled as we both did a high-five. Even if I admire her personality, I shouldn't be too swayed. I can say I am becoming threatened to death. I'll make sure this won't happen again.

The hours passed like lightning and it's the time for our dismissal. Hope said goodbye to me because she's going to accompany his father in buying groceries inside a supermarket. I nodded, smiled and waved goodbye at her. When I am getting ready to pack my backpack going home, I accidentally overheard my classmates and whom they are stalking right now.

"My gosh girls, Carmella Ruth's reign will surely be over this year. I think we'll have someone who can finally beat her off her throne."

"Oh? I don't think so. Don't belittle Carmella. She's full of surprises, you know."

"I don't really think so. Let me tell you something."

My other classmates also giggled as they came closer to Lila. She whispered those things and yet my auditory skills are not fooling me even a little.

"Really? Why? What's the catch?" Hilda said as she came even closer. She's the famous gossip-finder inside the campus.

"I am sure you won't be jumping into conclusions without your facts."

"Duh. You know me too well." Marielle smirked as the five of them came closer to each other. Maybe they were also aware that I might be hearing everything Marielle will tell them...of course I can if I am the one they're gossiping about.

"Did you know that Elise Hope is also the top one in their school in America?" Most of my classmates gasped, that also includes me, following their facial reaction.

"Oh my gosh! Are you really serious?"

"Of course! Look at this." Marielle made them look at her smartphone as if showing evidence for everyone to finally believe her. They all gasped as they covered their mouths.

"Let the games begin."

"Yeah, Carmella's reign this year will surely be over."

So my intuition is never wrong. She's more of a threat rather than being a good friend. I should do more in class now that I already learned something about her.