William made it into the top forty in the last exam of his sophomore year, and for the first time, he scored over four hundred points.
However, the gap between him and Ellie was still very, very large.
It was like a long, deep chasm, difficult to cross.
He needed to work harder.
Just a little harder.
In early July, a large sign appeared in the most conspicuous place in the school, stating that there were 343 days left until the college entrance examination.
Some people felt the pressure, but others thought that with more than three hundred days left, they could still have some fun.
August 28th.
The temperature this summer almost soared to thirty-eight degrees, and going outside felt like being in a sauna.
In this hot summer, the senior year arrived.
Upon entering the school gate, there was a conspicuous sign with bright red numbers.
There were 283 days left until the college entrance examination.
It was still in the 300s before the summer vacation, but after the vacation, it turned into the 200s, and many people couldn't accept it.
Mr. Anderson kept shouting about preparing for the college entrance examination, repeatedly doing ideological work with students in each class.
William's grades improved rapidly, directly entering the top twenty of his class, and many teachers in his class noticed William's progress.
This was entirely due to the summer vacation, during which he finished the materials Ellie bought for him and half of the new materials.
The exam papers he wrote every night have now piled up into a tall stack.
The materials Ellie organized and printed for him, although he protected them well, have curled up at the edges from being flipped through so many times.
He was not only able to keep up with Ellie's thinking but sometimes even proposed some of his own ideas.
It was not just William; many dark horses emerged in the senior year.
Many of them were originally average students who showed their talents in a certain exam and kept rising.
During the midterm exam, William broke through five hundred points for the first time.
But later, when he was doing the exam papers by himself, he found that he seemed to be unable to make further progress.
Ellie told him, "To break through high scores, you can't just study the basic questions thoroughly."
William did a set of questions that Ellie usually did and felt what a huge difference there was.
He truly felt the significant gap between the two.
He unconsciously pulled at his hair while writing.
Ellie gently pulled his hand down and said, "It's all step by step, isn't it? You've already improved by more than three hundred points compared to before."
William thought of his previous score of over a hundred points and nodded, saying, "I understand."
...
January 16, 2018.
Ellie's health was getting worse and worse, and the frequency of relapses was increasing. Almost every night, she woke up in pain.
After a chemotherapy session in December, the doctor advised her to take a leave of absence immediately and said that most of her remaining time would be spent in the hospital.
But Ellie said to wait a bit longer.
Sixteen Middle School received several university recommendation spots, and one of the schools was Q University.
Ellie was called to Mr. Johnson's office.
"Ellie, the school has given out four spots, and one of them is for you in our class. You can choose not to come next semester," because the first and second place in Class 17 were a cliff-like gap.
Mr. Johnson also considered her illness and didn't want her to stay under such high pressure before, advising her to leave, but she wanted to stay.
Ellie said, "Teacher, please tell the school that I give up this recommendation spot."
"Why?"
Ellie saw a few people from Class 17 passing by the window, then withdrew her gaze and said, "It's better to leave it to those who need it more."
"Ellie, this spot is well deserved by you."
Ellie looked at him and calmly stated the fact: "In my first year, the doctor said I wouldn't live more than three years. I also understand my health condition. I don't have the chance to go to college, so it's better to leave it to others."
Mr. Johnson didn't know what to say.
"Thank you, Mr. Johnson, for keeping this secret for me during this time. Can I ask you for a favor?"
Mr. Johnson looked at her gaze and said, "Go ahead."
"Please continue to keep this secret for me."
"You mean... still tell them that you were recommended, right?"
Ellie nodded, "Yes." Then she lowered her head and whispered a sentence: "I might come to school occasionally, I'm sorry for this year."
It's not a trouble at all.
If it weren't for Ellie.
Mr. Thompson might not have been able to let out that breath before.
The school wouldn't have praised their class's progress many times at teacher meetings.
Mr. Johnson nodded, "I will." But he was also curious, and he asked his doubt: "Why not tell the students in the class?"
"I've been very happy with them during this time. With the college entrance exam approaching, nothing can distract them, so I don't want anyone to know about this."
At first, she hid this matter because she wanted to be like a normal person, not wanting to see the pitying gaze of others, not wanting to be treated with leniency or kindness because she wouldn't live long.
Later, she really liked the atmosphere of this class.
And she also liked that young man.
In a trance, she seemed to see the summer of 2016 when she was brought into the class by Mr. Johnson and caught the gaze of the young man in the last row.
At that time, she thought the young man seemed not very easy to get along with.
Later, she found out that the young man was a very gentle person.
Mr. Johnson communicated with other teachers in advance not to release this news.
...
In the afternoon, during the class meeting time, Mr. Johnson announced this matter, saying, "This year, our school has given out several spots, and one of them is for Ellie. She is directly recommended to Q University, and she doesn't have to come to school for the rest of the time."
The students in the class were sincerely happy for Ellie.
On this day.
Many people asked Ellie if she would still come to school.
Ellie said, "I will come, but not very often."
She also received many notes, candies, and snacks from people.
Even some people who hadn't spoken a few words.
Aria was almost crying, and Ellie wiped her tears while saying, "I will come occasionally."
"I just can't bear to part with you, Ellie."
Sarah came to find Ellie after hearing the news.
"Congratulations, good student."
Ellie smiled and said, "Thank you."
Sarah looked at her and said, "Can I hug you?"
Ellie opened her arms and hugged her, saying, "Of course, you can."
Sarah said, "I will never be admitted to Q University in my life, and I can brag to my other friends for a lifetime that you were recommended."
Ellie looked at her and couldn't help but laugh.
After the evening self-study class.
William was carrying Ellie's pink small school bag on his back and holding her book box in his arms, saying, "The little teacher should rest at home, and I will definitely catch up with your steps."
Daniel and Mason helped her carry the rest of the things.
Ellie looked at him and said, "Okay."
"I really can't bear to part with the little teacher."
Ellie's nose turned sour for no reason, and she said, "I will come to see you guys."
"I will wait for the little teacher." William smiled with his eyes curved, then said, "Does the little teacher believe in me?"
"I believe." In her eyes, William was almost omnipotent.
"If I can break through six hundred points, can the little teacher hug me?"
Ellie looked at him and said, "Okay."
William looked at her, his black eyes filled with a smile.
All of Ellie's things were loaded onto the car, and she waved gently to the four people, saying, "Goodbye."