Ethan looked up as Avery & Andrew walked into the classroom , he had hoped that Charlotte would make an appearance at the last minute but there was no Charlotte .
He gave up the last glint of hope and leaned back in his seat putting on his headphone.
Meanwhile, Claire sat anxiously in the hospital waiting room, her phone glued to her hand as she and Charlotte waited for updates on Aunt Grace's surgery.
Charlotte on her own was quiet without exhibiting any emotions on the outwards but deep down she was worried.
"Hey Claire can you handle pressure ?", Charlotte asked in a composed voice fixing her gaze at Claire.
"What ?, why ..? , what do you mean by pressure ?", Claire stuttered in confusion.
"Wait right here , I will be back", Charlotte muttered and ran off to Claire's surprise.
"Wait, Charlotte! Where are you going?" Claire called out, but Charlotte was already gone.
Claire's mind raced with possibilities. What did Charlotte mean by "pressure"? And where was she going?
It was about half an hour since Charlotte was gone , Claire was starting to get anxious,
Charlotte however returned, all dressed up in her school uniform she wore a determined look on her face.
Claire's eyes widened in surprise as she scanned Charlotte from head to toe .
"Charlotte, your mom is in the operation room! You can't just leave!"
"I'm going to go compete in the match," she said, her voice firm. Charlotte's expression didn't waver.
"I know, but I have to do this. I can't disappoint Andrew , and for my mom , I trust you , your hospital won't let anything go wrong,"
Claire nodded, understanding. "Okay, I get it. But would you be able to concentrate knowing she is in the surgery room , moreso you never prepared for this match"
Charlotte smiled, a fierce glint in her eye. "I know , atleast I will try my best , I don't want to give Jessica & Crew that satisfaction of me being absent."
"Let's head out Claire , we're going to be late ," Charlotte said fastening her School bag strap.
"You run along , I will wait here untill everything is done", Claire opted to stay .
"No you are coming with, I don't want you to be all worried about her , ".
Charlotte argued and after a a little more persuasion Claire agreed to come with.
"Okay then give me a minute I will make a call", Claire said dialing a number.
Charlotte nodded narrowing her gaze at the operation room and sighed , "okay then I will wait for you outside".
Claire paced back and forth in the hospital waiting room, her phone pressed to her ear.
"Dad, I need to ask you something," she said, trying to keep her voice calm.
"What is it, Clara?" her father replied, his voice warm and reassuring.
"It's about Mrs. Ryder's surgery. Charlotte really wants to see it, but she can't be here because of the match. I was wondering if it's possible to project the surgery live over a screen or something, so she can see it from Springdale."
There was a pause on the other end of the line.
"So what do you think Clara ,it's your hospital, do what you wish, But you have to promise me one thing - you have to make sure that the live feed is secure and only accessible to Charlotte. We can't have any confidential medical information getting out."
"I promise, Dad. I'll take care of it."
"Alright, I'll will give the orders now. I'll have them tell you as soon as the live feed is set up."
"Thanks, Dad."
"Don't thank me, go cheer your friend at the match", Clara I will hang up I'm almost late for a meeting.
As Claire's driver , Mr John drove out of the hospital, Claire couldn't help but feel a sense of awe at Charlotte's strength and determination. She was going to compete in the match, despite everything that was going on.
Jessica sat confidently at her desk, pen in hand, as she began to write her share of the exams in the field.
The other students watched her with a mixture of admiration and envy, whispering to each other about her skills.
Zoey and Samantha, Jessica's loyal friends, cheered her on from the sidelines.
"You got this, Jess!" Zoey shouted, while Samantha held up a handmade sign that read "Jessica for the win!"
At intervals, Jessica would glance over at the empty seat beside her, a smug smirk spreading across her face.
Charlotte was still nowhere to be seen, and thirty minutes had already ticked by.
Hazel kept looking over at Avery, hoping that Charlotte had changed her mind and was on her way. But every time, Avery just shook her head, her expression sympathetic.
Meanwhile, Ethan lounged in the classroom, surrounded by a few students who had opted out of watching the match.
"I don't see the point," one of them said, shrugging. "Charlotte's not even here."
Wyatt nodded in agreement. "Yeah, it's not the same without her."
Just as they were all starting to lose hope, Claire's car pulled into the driveway of Springdale, and Charlotte and Claire immediately stepped out.
The moment Charlotte's feet hit the pavement, a screaming ovation shook the foundation of Springdale. Hazel was the first to spot her, and she let out a loud whoop of excitement.
Zoey and Samantha, on the other hand, scoffed at the others' enthusiasm. "What's the big deal?" Zoey rolled her eyes. "She's already late."
But Charlotte didn't seem to notice. She was already sprinting down the hallway, her eyes fixed on her locker. She flung it open and began to change into her exam uniform at lightning speed.
Meanwhile, Ethan was still in class, hearing the scream he thought that Jessica must have won the match. But the students around him began to mutter excitedly.
The ones in class with him rushed out of the room, and Ethan followed, though at a slower pace.
As he turned a corner, he saw Charlotte back in the hallway, tying her hair into a bun. She looked focused, determined. Ethan's eyes widened in surprise. She was really doing it. She was going to compete in the match.
The hallway was packed with students now, all cheering and chanting Charlotte's name.
Ethan pushed his way through the crowd, trying to get a better look but before he could reach her Claire grabbed Charlotte and left.
Jessica, on the other hand, was sitting in the field with her exams sheets, looking like she'd just been punched in the gut.
Her eyes were fixed on the entrance of the main building , her face pale ,unsure of who it was that was taking so much attention. This wasn't how it was supposed to go.
"Let's go, Charlotte!" Claire cheered grabbing her hand, trying to sound as loud and supportive as possible.
"Go Buttercups, the trophy is for you", Andrew screamed .
Charlotte glanced over and smiled, her eyes shining with determination as Claire walked her to the field.
Jessica's smirk faltered for a moment immediately Charlotte appeared, but she however regained her composure.
"Well, well, well. Look who decided to show up," she sneered, but Charlotte just ignored her, her focus on the task at hand.
Charlotte quickly took her seat beside Jessica, her eyes scanning the paper in front of her. She took a deep breath, her mind racing with the questions and her mom's surgery.
Zoey and Samantha exchanged nervous glances, their cheers and chants dying on their lips. Hazel and Avery smiled at each other, relieved that Charlotte had made it.
Ethan's eyes narrowed, his gaze fixed on Charlotte from a distance. He couldn't believe she had shown up, despite everything.
Wyatt leaned over to him. "I guess Charlotte is not one to back down from a challenge," he whispered.
Ethan nodded, a small smile playing on his lips. "I guess not."
The teacher cleared her throat, reminding the students of the ongoing exam The room immediately fell silent, the only sound heard was the scratching of pens on paper.
The exams was already underway with Jessica in the lead.
The exam was intense, with both participants giving it their all. But Charlotte wasn't entirely focused , her mind kept diverting to her mom's surgery.
Half way into the exam , Claire's phone buzzed. She glanced down and saw a text from the Beckett's hospital.
"Live feed is set up. Password is 'Charlotte1'."
Claire quickly set up her tablet and entered the password. The live feed of Mrs. Ryder's surgery appeared on her screen.
Claire immediately set it before Charlotte at the field , Charlotte's eyes widened as she saw her mom on the screen.
"Thank you, Claire," Charlotte whispered, her voice filled with emotion.
Claire smiled and gave Charlotte a thumbs up. "Go win this match, Charlotte. Your mom is in good hands."
Zoey & Samantha immediately objected that move from Claire and Charlotte.
"Hey, that's not fair!" Zoey protested. "She can't just watch her mom's surgery during the exam!"
Samantha nodded in agreement. "Yeah, it's distracting and unfair to Jessica."
But the teacher just shrugged. "I don't see any rules against it. Let's just focus on the exam, shall we?"
Zoey and Samantha's objection escalated into a full-blown argument. "This is cheating!" Zoey shouted. "She's watching the match on her tablet! and there are chances of her cheating"
Avery and Andrew jumped to their feet, defending Charlotte.
"It's just a live feed of her mom's surgery," Andrew explained. "It can't be broadcast to everyone."
But Zoey and Samantha wouldn't back down. "It should be removed," Samantha insisted. "It's not fair to the other participant."
The argument continued, with Zoey and Samantha trying to distract Charlotte, who was now confused about what to do next.
Ethan, who had been watching the argument unfold, leaned over to Wyatt. "Get your team and set up the live van," he whispered.
Wyatt hesitated. "But what if it leaks that Beckett's hospital broadcasted a surgery outside of the hospital?"
Ethan thought for a moment before grabbing a basket beside him. "Set up the projector. I'll handle the broadcast."
Ethan walked over to the field and grabbed the tablet from Charlotte without even looking at her or Jessica. Claire was enraged by his action, but Charlotte just looked up, speechless.
In minutes, Wyatt and his cable crew set up the live van, projecting the live surgery onto the projector. Everyone paused, shocked, as they saw the broadcast.
Charlotte took a deep breath, her eyes fixed on the projector as she watched her mom's surgery.
She could see the doctors and nurses moving quickly and efficiently, and she knew everything was going to be okay.
Zoey and Samantha looked nauseous, but Ethan's voice brought them back to reality.
"With the live surgery on the projector, do you still think anyone can cheat?"
Ethan passed Avery and Claire a basket, and they moved around, collecting everyone's phones. The argument was over with one smart move from Ethan.
With renewed determination, Charlotte turned back to her exam paper and began to write. She was going to do this, for Andrew and for her mom.
Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, Dr. Smith emerged from the operating room, a smile on his face as he faced the camera.
"Miss Ryder, the surgery was a success," he said, his voice filled with relief.
"Your mom is in recovery now, and we'll be monitoring her closely over the next few days."
Charlotte chuckled in a cracked tone. "Thank you, God. Thank you so much." She turned towards the audience waving where Claire, Avery and Andrew were cheering from.
"Guys , the surgery was a success", Charlotte screamed waving at them .
Claire, Avery & Andrew embraced each other, tears of joy in their eyes.
"We're so happy for you, Charlotte," Claire screamed, smiling.
The exam continued, with Charlotte and Jessica neck and neck. This time Charlotte's focus was unwavering, her mind racing with answers.
As the exam came to a close, Charlotte let out a sigh of relief. She had done it. She had competed, despite everything.
And as she looked over at Jessica, she saw a scorn on her face.
"Quite it already , you are not going to make it", Jessica taunted her with a scowl as she was racing through the remaining questions.
Charlotte smiled graciously at Jessica,
"I didn't come this close to lose, wait untill the exam is over and the results are announced , then I suppose , you will be needing a shock absorber"
Jessica's smirk faltered for a moment, but she regained her composure. "Well, well, well. Let's see who laughs last" she sneered, but Charlotte just ignored her, her focus on the task before her .
The bell began ringing signalling countdown, The exam finally came to a close, and the students let out a collective sigh of relief.
Charlotte and Jessica handed in their papers, their eyes locked in a fierce stare.
The teacher collected the papers and submitted it to the principal to grade them.
Charlotte walked off the field, her paper submitted and her heart full of hope. Claire, Avery, and Andrew followed close behind, beaming with pride.
"Charlotte, wait!" Claire called out, but Charlotte just kept walking.
"Guys don't worry" Charlotte said, turning to face them. "I need to see my mom."
Avery and Andrew exchanged worried glances, but Claire nodded understandingly. "Okay, Charlotte. We'll wait here for you."
Charlotte smiled gratefully and continued on her way, her feet carrying her towards the bus stop.
As she walked, she felt a sense of peace wash over her. She had done it. She had competed in the exam, despite everything.
And now, she was going to see her mom, getting at the bus stop a bus pulled over and she made to walk into the bus but a hand grabbed her.
She turned and Andrew was behind her smiling like a fool.
"Hey Buttercups.!Surprise ?, what were you thinking ?, I'm coming with you ."
Charlotte sighed and shook her head , they sat down and paid for their tickets.
They pushed open the hospital doors and made their way to her mom's room. Charlotte took a deep breath, steeling herself for what she might see.
But as she entered the room, she was greeted by a sight that made her heart soar. Her mom was already awake with IV needle strapped to her.
"Charlotte!" her mom exclaimed softly, opening her arms.
Charlotte rushed over, "Mom!" she whispered, hugging her tightly.
Her mom held her close, stroking her hair. "The surgery was a success".. Mrs Grace muttered. She beckoned on Andrew to join the hug.
She was excited having the two kids in her arm.
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