As the end of the term approached, the students had mixed feelings. Some were excited about the holiday while others were worried about the final exams.
"That is all for today, class. I wish you success in your upcoming exams."
"Hey Eloise!" Sarah said.
"Sarah, what's up?"
"About our plans. Liam and I won't be able to come. We have other things so I hope you understand."
"That's alright. Have fun."
As Eloise walked in the school's courtyard, she saw Marcus, a second year student and a friend of hers. "Hello!"she greeted.
"Oh Eloise, how are you? I hope you're preparing for your exams."
"I've been doing that since the beginning of the term."
"Really? Have you been told how it would be like?"
"Isn't it just written?"
"You attend Politiea Academy, where nothing goes for nothing. Of course there will be a catch."
"Do you know anything about it?"
"The president told me about it this morning. Let's talk somewhere else." They went to the café. "So yes, it's a regular written exam but it's probably going to be near impossible to pass."
"Why would the exam council do such?"
"I don't know but because of this, the council said that the answers to the exams will be given to one member of each class in Class 1 but there are rules. The chosen student cannot tell his classmates but may tell other classes, if he or she wishes to do so."
"I see. I need to go now, I'll see you later."
In Eloise's hostel...
"So that's basically the gist of it." Eloise said to Rae.
"What are you going to do about it?"
"From what Marcus told me, he said a chosen student can tell other classes if he wishes to do so."
"I'm aware."
"So the only things we need to do are to find at least one of the students and ' persuade ' them. Basically, we're bribing the person."
"Where are we going to find the money? No one knows how much he or she might need."
"We'll negotiate a price."
" Do you know anyone who can help us find one of them?"
"She's in our set. Class C. Her intel and news are always accurate so she's a trusted source."
"How do you know her?"
"We met at the supermarket. I did a little research on her."
"That's great. We'll meet her later."
"I'll contact her."
That evening, they went to the school mall. A girl sat near the water fountain and was using her phone. She wore a sleeveless sweater over a white shirt with its sleeves rolled up to the elbow, a brown skirt and a cute pair of black flats with white socks. The girl looked up and saw Eloise. Almost immediately, she ran towards her and yelled her name.
"How are you? I've not seen you for a long time."
"I'm perfectly fine."
The girl turned to Rae. "You must Rae."
"Obviously."
"Anyway, why exactly did you call me here?"
"We need your help, Lana."
"About the exam?"
Rae and Eloise exchanged looks. Neither of them told her about it.
"I figured. That's the only thing that could possibly bring both of you here."
"Now that you know, do you know any candidate?"
"The exam rules were just released today so the school has not picked anyone yet. They'll probably do so by tomorrow."
"Okay but can you keep us up to date?"
"Not without the right price. 100 000 vines per information I tell you."
"75 000."
"130 000."
"50 000."
"137 000."
"Final price: 25 000 vines."
"I can see it's going to be absolutely useless to go any higher so, deal." Lana sighed.
"Thank you very much. I look forward to your services. Also don't tell me fake news."
"I'm not a sly bastard."
The following morning, Eloise received a text message from Lana to meet her at the school stadium. That day was a Saturday so she was reluctant to get out of her bed. Eloise eventually dressed and went to Lana.
"Shit, is it this cold?" Eloise muttered.
"Took you long enough!" Lana yelled out. She was sitting on the bleachers, with her hands in her jacket's pockets. "So I've finally received some intel."
"Why couldn't you tell me over the phone?"
"These phones are not normal ones. They're probably tracking devices that record our every move."
"That sounds crazy but it's not as crazy as the school setting up hidden cameras everywhere. I'm sure there are a couple here."
"Whatever. Let's talk but, payment first."
Eloise brought out her phone and sent the money to her. A notification came shortly after that.
"Thanks! Now, there are about six of them. Alex Greenman-- Class 1-D; Sasha Grey-- Class 1-A, Davis Carter-- Class 1-B, Maria Florence-- Class 2-A, Dorian Lawson-- Class 2-A and Nelly Suarez-- Class 3-C."
"Why are there seniors?"
"If the school used candidates in their first year, won't it be too easy?"
"True. Thanks again." Eloise left and went back to the hostel.
"Where did you go?" Jessica asked.
"I went to clear up some things." Eloise scurried to Rae's room. She was lying on the bed, throwing a ball. "You know," she began. "we could have just asked Jessica about it."
"That's a terrible idea. Jessica is a Student Council Member so she cannot disclose information about the details of this exam to us or anyone."
"True. Frankly I don't have a good feeling about her. The way she gets her information about everything and everyone is suspicious. She seems like a manipulator."
"Probably but she has given us some information that may help so what we'll need now is more money. Who knows how many people she might have told and no one knows how many people have asked the candidate so we need to be prepared for anything."
"One more thing. Why do we even need these answers? We have great grades."
"Don't you see? This is not about the exam. It's about how well we can gain information, that's what the school is testing us on."
"Whatever. You're gonna find the money yourself."
"Of course. Hey, do you think those rumours about a gambling den in this school are true?"
"Wait you want to gamble? Isn't that illegal?"
"Keeping children away from their parents for three years is but apparently, it's okay so why won't there be any gambling dens?"
"I don't know, maybe we're too young?"
"We are paid money because of our grades and obviously some students would have squandered it. So rather than borrowing money until you're drowned by death, they would take the slim chance of winning a bet."
"A night betting could lead to ten years of debt and poverty. What else are you planning?"
"Nothing."
"I can't stop you anyway, it's your money after all and you can get greedy sometimes."