Chapter 8
The exam results day finally arrived.
Our school has not produced a top scorer in ten years, and this year we attach great importance to it.
Administration had gathered all testing seniors–over three hundred students from ten
homerooms–in the multimedia center to check their results together.
Despite the air conditioning running at full blast, it couldn’t dispel the tension hanging in the air.
Valerie sat enthroned in the middle of her admirers.
Several sycophants eagerly handed her coffee: “Val, when the results come in, you’re treating us all to celebration dinner, right?”
The moment I pushed open the door, the chatter abruptly ceased.
“Well, look who’s here–Miss Crawford’s gracing us with her presence?” Our class sports captain
deliberately raised his voice. “Thought you were all set for your fancy European education?”
Several girls giggled behind their hands: “She’s old money now. Why would she care about struggling through college apps like the rest of us?”
From her throne in the center, Valerie spoke with practiced gentleness: “Don’t be like that. Riley just wanted to see everyone one last time.”
Camden glanced at me with furrowed brows: “Why are you even here? You didn’t take the exams.”
I walked directly to an empty seat in the back row.
“Acting so high and mighty,” someone muttered. “Gets adopted by rich folks and suddenly thinks she’s better than everyone.”
“Five minutes left!” our class president announced loudly.
Camden suddenly squeezed into the seat beside me, lowering his voice: “It’s not too late to concede. You love Noah so much–long–distance is better than losing him completely!”
I remained silent as Dr. Harrison hurried in: “Quiet down! The results are about to be released!”
Chapter 8
Just as she finished speaking, someone’s phone notification chimed.
“It’s time.”
Everyone rushed toward the computer screens, immediately erupting into a cacophony of reactions.
Valerie, naturally, was the center of attention.
Within moments, one of her followers announced loudly:
“Valerie Crawford–1540! That’s 20 points higher than last year’s valedictorian!”
The room exploded with excitement.
“Oh my God! She’s definitely getting into Princeton!”
“That’s our Valerie!”
Principal Matthews rushed in upon hearing the news, excitedly shaking Valerie’s hand: “Excellent
work! You’ve brought honor to our school!”
Only Dr. Harrison quietly approached me: “How did you do?”
I logged into the results system. The page refreshed-
[Student Name: Riley Crawford]
[English: –]
[Mathematics: –]
[Science: –]
[Humanities: –]
[Total Score: –]
“Ha!” Camden was the first to laugh. “Your results are all blank because you were absent! How could you possibly have scores?”
Noah, who’d already secured his early admission, shook his head: “Riley, why did you have to….”
They Stole My Iden
eir Future
Chapter 8
Before he could finish, Principal Matthews suddenly exclaimed: “W–what? The State Education Department? Our school produced the valedictorian! Crawford?”
At these words, all eyes turned to Valerie.
“Crawford? That’s Valerie, right?”
“1540! That score would be valedictorian–level in any year!”
“Our Valerie totally overperformed–she scored 60 points higher than her practice exams!”
“Our class has the valedictorian!” Several girls had already surrounded her for autographs. “Val, you’re going to be a legend at Westlake forever!”
Valerie basked in the attention, her cheeks flushing.
One of Valerie’s lackeys taunted me, “That’s Valerie for you–consistent and reliable. Unlike some people who show up just for the drama.”
“Seriously, imagine having the nerve to show up with blank scores…”
Dr. Harrison quickly stepped forward, displaying the system screen: “The scores appear blank because Riley’s results are among the state’s top 20, which are specially protected in the system!”
“Ladies and gentlemen, our school indeed produced this year’s valedictorian,” Principal Matthews announced, his voice trembling with excitement. “But it’s not Valerie Crawford. It’s Riley Crawford.”
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