Chapter 13-1 Ryan watched Elaraâs uncharacteristic enthusiasm with knowing amusement. "Just wait," he murmured, clearly privy to something his colleagues werenât.
The other professors initially dismissed Elaraâs excitement. âProbably just a math whiz, they assumed -until Danielle finished every remaining exam in just thirty minutes.
Theyâd always flaunted Morenoâs elite status. âHow the hell could someone who hasnât even bothered with the SATs be this good?â they thought, convinced the math score had to be some kind of fluke. But as Danielle walked up, papers in hand, their doubt started to crack.
"Youâre finished with everything?" Elara couldnât hide her delight.
"Yes," Danielle said simply, as if completing several hoursâ worth of tests in minutes was perfectly ordinary.
The other professorsâ skepticism transformed into stunned admiration as they graded. The literature professorâs eyes widened. "Perfect score-this essay is publication-worthy!"
"Impeccable composition," the language professor declared. "This sets a new departmental standard."
The design professor, notorious for never being satisfied, actually smiled. "This work... the innovation, the technical precision. It exceeds professional quality. Your natural talent is extraordinary."
"Mr. and Mrs. Darling, Danielle completed all exams in forty minutes with perfect scores across the board," Ryan informed her parents.
Howard and Vivian stood frozen for a moment, then broke into delighted smiles. Theyâd spent the whole time preparing consoling speeches, even rehearsing exactly how to comfort her if she struggled. This outcome hadnât even crossed their minds.
They rushed to the examination room with Danielle, leaving Audrey behind, alone with her thoughts. Something wasnât sitting right. How the hell could someone from nowhere, with no resources to speak of, pull this off?â Audrey wondered.
Sheâd always been at the top of her class, but even she had never nailed perfect scores across the board.
"Sweetheart, youâre incredible! Perfect scores!" Vivian hugged Danielle tightly.
"Thatâs my girl! We need to celebrate this." Howard beamed with pride.
Audrey entered to find her parents lavishing praise on Danielle. âItâs just an entrance test, she thought bitterly. âWhen I aced my SATs, they werenât nearly this excited. But I guess their real daughter gets special treatment.
"Mom, Dad, Audrey began, biting her lip with feigned concern. "I donât mean to be rude, but... growing up where she did, with such limited education-
how did she manage perfect scores? Maybe she had... help with the answers?"
She lowered her eyes demurely. "Iâm sorry, Danielle, I donât mean to accuse you. Itâs just that we Darlings pride ourselves on integrity."
The professors stared at Audrey as if sheâd lost her mind. This star student of theirs was actually suggesting that her sister had cheated-and by extension, that they had compromised their own academic integrity.
Before Danielle could respond, Ryan stepped forward.
"Are you questioning this institutionâs integrity?" His voice could have frozen lava. "These tests were created minutes ago, under our direct supervision."
"Are you suggesting that we leaked the answers to your sister?" The professors bristled at the implication-an accusation of academic dishonesty that no self-respecting educator would let slide.
"No, I just meant..." Audreyâs eyes filled with carefully calculated tears.
"Having trouble accepting someone might be more talented?" Danielleâs smile held arctic temperatures.
"Iâm sorry, Danielle. Mom, Dad, I didnât mean it that way. Of course, Iâm happy sheâs so talented. I just spoke without thinking. Itâs my fault for expressing myself poorly." Audrey hung her head as tears rolled down her cheeks, the perfect picture of misunderstood innocence.
"Audrey, the very fact you would think such a thing is wrong," Howard said sternly. "How could you doubt your sister like that? Think before you speak next time."
"Exactly," Vivian added, clearly disappointed.
"Apologize to your sister. And donât ever say anything like that again."
"Iâm sorry, Danielle," Audrey whispered.
Their parentsâ sharp reprimand hit her like a physical blow. In all her years as the perfect daughter, theyâd never spoken to her so harshly. Because of Danielle, she was being forced to apologize. She realized too late sheâd moved too quickly, damaging her image in their eyes.
Not A Small Town Girl (Danielle and David)
ï¤Chapter 12 Danielle just gave Audrey a cold glance. She was getting tired of this act-ever since sheâd returned home, it had been nothing but fake apologies.
How many times can someone say sorry while clearly not meaning it?â she thought. There must be something wrong with her.
Ryan smoothly intervened to ease the tension. "Danielle can join the incoming class after summer break."
"Thank you for everything," Howard said, leading his family out.
Trailing behind them, Audreyâs fingers curled into fists. âI canât just sit back and take this anymore, she thought, her face twisting with malice when no one was looking.
Dawn had barely broken when Audrey appeared in the kitchen. She retrieved milk from the refrigerator and popped bread in the toaster, her movements mechanical and distracted.
"Miss Darling, youâre up unusually early, Skylar said, watching as Audrey barely touched her breakfast.
"I need to go out. If anyone asks, Iâm visiting a sick friend, Audrey replied, drinking her milk in one gulp.
In Room 809 at St. Katherineâs Hospital, David faced the most challenging patient yet.
"This damn antiseptic smell is driving me crazy! Iâm outta here!" his grandfather grumbled, for what felt like the tenth time that morning.
"Not until youâre medically cleared," David replied, immune to the dramatics by now.