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Chapter 5 - Are you really hiding your face from Ethan

Andrew smiled and joined the hug, wrapping his arms around Charlotte and her mom. "We're so glad you're okay, Aunt Grace" he said, his voice filled with emotion.

Mrs. Ryder smiled, her eyes shining with tears. "I'm glad too, Andrew. Thanks for being here for Charlotte."

The three of them hugged for a moment, savoring the joy and relief of the moment.

Charlotte finally pulled back and the three of them sat down, chatting and laughing together. Charlotte's mom was going to be okay, and that's all that mattered.

Meanwhile at Springdale highschool Principal Sage sat at his desk, scrutinizing every detail of Charlotte and Jessica's papers.

He was determined to make the grading process as fair and accurate as possible. With a red pen in hand, he struck out even the slightest error, his eyes scanning every line and equation.

The minutes ticked by, each one feeling like an eternity to the anticipating students.

Jessica sat outside the principal's office, het legs tapping impatiently on the floor. Samantha & Zoey tried to distract her with small talk, but it was no use.

Everyone's minds were focused on the outcome of the exam.

Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, Principal Sage's secretary walked out of the office.

"Students, please check the Springdale High School page for the results of the exam," she announced. "They will be uploaded there shortly."

The students let out a collective sigh, their hearts racing with anticipation.

Ethan and Jessica exchanged a nervous glance, their eyes locked in a fierce stare.

"Well, this is it, Tan" Jessica said, her voice barely above a whisper, "Be prepared to accommodate me as an assistant in the national science project".. Jessica said her words dripping of pride.

Ethan scoffed, his jaw clenched. "May the best person win."

The students quickly pulled out their phones and began to frantically refresh the school's webpage, waiting for the results to be posted.

''Jess..!, here is your phone I already refreshed the website" Zoey passed Jessica her phone.

Jessica smirked as she notices an anxious Claire .

"Zoey, sweetheart, please make sure to give Claire Beckett an invitation," she stated with malice, hoping to spike Claire's temper. "I will accommodate everyone at my victory party tonight."

Zoey raised an eyebrow, unsure of how to respond. She glanced over at Claire, who was sitting calmly, her eyes fixed on her phone.

But Claire didn't take the bait. She simply rolled her eyes and returned to refreshing the school's webpage, waiting for the results to be posted.

Jessica's smirk faltered for a moment, but she quickly recovered.

"Oh, I'm sure Claire is just thrilled to be invited to my party," she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

Samantha and Zoey exchanged a nervous glance because Jessica was already going overboard.

"The results are yet to be uploaded ,and you are already rubbing your unforseen victory on everyone's face," Melly commented.

"I wonder what she will do if this victory of her turns out disastrous" Hazel snickered throwing a glance at Jessica.

Everyone knew that Jessica's party was going to be a disaster if she continued to rub her yet to be victory in everyone's faces.

Claire just ignored her, her focus on the results. And then, suddenly, she let out a small gasp.

"What is it?" Jessica asked, her voice sharp with annoyance.

But Claire just smiled sweetly. "The results are posted," she said. "And it looks like Charlotte won."

Jessica's face fell, her eyes widening in shock. "No," she whispered. "That's impossible."

Jessica took her phone from Zoey. She scrolled through the school's webpage, her heart racing with anticipation. And then, she saw it. The results of the exam were posted.

Jessica's eyes scanned the page, her heart sinking as she saw Charlotte's name at the top of the list. She had won the exam, and the national science project spot with Ethan .

"No," Jessica whispered, her voice barely audible.

Samantha and Zoey looked at her in concern. "Jess, it's okay," Samantha said. "You did your best."

But Jessica just shook her head. She couldn't believe she had lost.

"Yes!" Avery screamed, her voice echoing through the room,"Charlotte won"

Some people cheered, hugging Avery tightly. "We're so proud of you, Charlotte.

Jessica's face turned red with rage as she refused to accept the results. "This is a mistake!" she stormed, her voice echoing through the room. "I demand a recount!"

Samantha and Zoey tried to comfort her, but Jessica just shook her head. She couldn't believe that she had lost to Charlotte.

But it was too late. The results were final. Charlotte had won.

Avery and Claire cheered each other, "We're so proud of you, Charlotte!" They duo exclaimed to Jessica's hearing

Jessica stormed out of the room, furiously, with Zoey and Samantha running after her.

"Jess, wait!" Zoey called out, but Jessica didn't stop.

Jessica barged into Principal Sage's office, slamming the door behind her.

"Principal, I demand to know why I lost the exam to Charlotte!"

Principal Sage looked up from his desk, a hint of annoyance in his eyes.

''Miss Russell, please, knock next time. And calm down."

Jessica's face was red with rage. "I won't calm down! I know I deserved to win that exam, and I demand a recount."

Principal Sage sighed. "Miss Russell, I graded the exam based on the national science project standards. I had to strike out even the slightest mistake. You and Ryder were very close, but in the end, Ryder's was more precise and accurate."

Jessica scowled. "That's not fair! I know I did better than her."

Principal Sage shook his head. "I'm afraid not, Jessica. And even if I were to regrade the exams, I doubt the outcome would be any different. You need to learn to accept defeat graciously."

Principal Sage stood up, his expression firm. "I'm afraid that won't change the outcome, Miss Russell. Now, please, leave my office and calm down."

Meanwhile, Charlotte's supporters celebrated her victory with screams and cheers.

"Yes! Charlotte won!" Avery exclaimed, hugging Hazel tightly. "We're so proud of her!"

Ethan just smirked, relieved that he didn't have to put up with Jessica's nasty attitude anymore.

"At least I don't have to deal with her at the National Science Project," he thought to himself.

Claire smiled sweetly, accepting congratulations on behalf of Charlotte. "Thank you, guys. Charlotte will be thrilled to hear this."

The students cheered and chanted Charlotte's name, their voices echoing through the hallways. "Charlotte! Charlotte! She's the best!"

As they celebrated, they sent texts and messages to Charlotte, congratulating her on her victory. "So proud of you, Charlotte! You deserved it!" Hazel texted.

Charlotte, still at the hospital with her mom & Andrew , smiled as she read the messages.

Charlotte grinned, feeling a sense of accomplishment. She had done it. She had won the exam if not for anything but for Andrew's sake.

Andrew looked at Charlotte for the hundredth time .

"What's so funny?" Andrew asked, trying to sound casual. But he couldn't help the hint of jealousy in his voice.

Charlotte looked up, still smiling. "Just texts," she said. " Andrew I won the match ,They're congratulating me on winning the exam."

"Oh really," he said happy for her. "That's great, Buttercups. You deserve it."

But Charlotte could see the jealousy in his eyes. "Hey, what's wrong?" she asked, putting down her phone.

Andrew shrugged. "Nothing. I just...I don't know. I'm just really happy for you, I guess we should head home."

Charlotte smiled and got up from her chair. "Okay then Andrew."

As they left the hospital, Charlotte couldn't help but feel grateful for her friends , Claire , Avery & Andrew.

She had won the exam, and she had done it for Andrew.

But as they walked to the bus stop, Andrew's jealousy started to get the better of him.

"So Buttercups.!, what's going to happen now that you've won?" he asked, trying to sound casual.

Charlotte looked at him, confused. "What do you mean?"

Andrew shrugged. "I mean, are you going to be working as an assistant on the National Science Project?"

Charlotte nodded. "Yeah, I am. Why?"

Andrew looked away, trying to hide his jealousy. "No reason. I just...I don't know. I'm just really happy for you."

Charlotte smiled and took Andrew's hand. "Thanks, Andrew."

As they rode the bus home, Charlotte couldn't help but notice Andrew's distant behavior. She squeezed his hand, trying to reassure him.

"Hey, what's wrong? You've been acting weird since we left the hospital."

Andrew looked at her, trying to brush it off. "Nothing, I'm just tired, that's all."

But Charlotte knew better. She could see the jealousy in his eyes,

"Andrew, talk to me. What's going on?"

Andrew sighed, looking away. "I don't know, Buttercups. I just feel like...I don't know, like you're going to leave me behind or something."

Charlotte's heart went out to him. "Andrew, I'm not going anywhere. I'm right here with you. And besides, I won the exam for you, not for anyone else."

Andrew looked at her, his eyes searching. "So come what may , promise that nothing would come between us".

Charlotte nodded. "Yes, really. Nothing would ever come between us ."

Andrew smiled, looking relieved. "Thanks, Buttercups. That means a lot to me."

At the school the next day Jessica and her crew were absent

The school hallways seemed quieter than usual, with Jessica and her crew noticeably absent.

Charlotte and Andrew walked hand in hand, enjoying the peaceful atmosphere.

"I'm glad we don't have to deal with Jessica's drama today," Hazel said, smiling at Claire.

Claire nodded in agreement. "Me too. But I hope she's okay" Claire expressed her worry.

As Charlotte & Andrew approached their lockers, they saw Claire, Avery, and Hazel waiting for them, all smiles.

"Hey, Charlotte! Good thing you made it to school yesterday" Hazel exclaimed.

Charlotte removed her hand from Andrew's, rushing over to meet the girls. "Hey, guys! What's going on?"

Andrew watched as Charlotte joined the group, laughing and chatting with them. He felt a pang of jealousy as he saw her effortlessly connect with her friends.

He turned and walked away, feeling like an outsider looking in.

Ethan arrived at school and as usual he was in the spot light again, Charlotte pulled out her mask and closed half her face.

"Charlotte are you really hiding your face from Ethan ",Claire asked .

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