Hours turned into days. Ellie kept burning her candles. She was not a dull child. But the chances of her grades coming down was somewhat and unbelievably high. This is Shining Stars. Students who made it into this place and students that were still here are no just students that find their way in with long legs or hands that are outstretched. They have found their way in through the test of their intelligence. Even your parents won't be able to get you in. Even if you are transferred student, you will be highly examined before granting you access to the school. She does not know which grade she will take this time around. She has always been a B+ grade student while her sister is a partially A student. But all things being equal, she was definitely not going take any chances.
She realized that in this world, she could never put her whole trust in someone but there was an exemption.
Jake.
He was the exemption. She would always be grateful to him. He had gone out of his way to help her. Even though, their time tables are the reverse. He still helped her study. Not that she could not study but Jake is an A+ student. As it is said, ‘the kind of friends you move with will show in your attitude'. And also ‘Move with people who will lift you high'
She made sure to work her @ss off as she must surprise some people.
**
**At night**
They- Ellie, Jake and Aria- had just parted ways to go to their respective dorms. Tomorrow was the day they will write their last examination. Students were happy. At least they would get time to go home. Who likes school anyways.
Ellie and Elsa were still not on speaking terms. As Ellie did her stuff while her sister did hers. Julia tried resolving everything between them but Ellie ignored it and said that there was nothing between them. No quarrel. Nothing. Just nothing. But then, no talking.
Ellie stepped into her room. She saw that Elsa was nowhere to be found. “Where could she have gone to?” She thought as she tiredly placed down her books. She stretched her body and moved her neck which made some squeaky sound. She exhaled deeply as she pulled of her uniforms and walked to the toilet naked. She chuckled at the thought. She opened the shower and let the cold water run down her head to her feet. She went down the memory lane when she went to crystal's house. How warm and relaxing the shower was. Well, this was not any worse.
She heard the door open. She wrinkled her eyebrows. “Who is there?” She yelled out. “Stop yelling. It's me.” Elsa said with a silent tone. “Who else would it have been?” Ellie scoffed and came out of the shower.
~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~
There was something that kept baffling Aria. She listened to the recording over and over again. Her mind kept telling her to give this thing out to serve justice. But she was so nervous and mostly anxious. “What? Are you having any guilty conscience?” Her subconscious mind asked her. “Nope.” Aria denied sharply. “Then why don’t you want to do it?” It asked again. “I… I just don’t know how to do it or what to do.” She groaned.
“Just give it to her or to Jake and they will find a way about it.” It advised.
“Hey.” Her roommate, Maureen, tapped her out of the thoughts. “What?” Aria answered snappily. “I was talking to you but you did not answer me.” Maureen said. “I am sorry, was thinking about something that was bugging me.” She muttered and went to sit on her bed. “And if I may ask, what is it?” Maureen asked and walked towards her. She sat down close to her on the bed. “Nothing. I will find my way around it. Don’t worry.” Aria insisted with a forced smile. “Keeping something from me?” Maureen arched her eyebrow. “No. Not really a big thing. Don’t bother. We got our last paper tomorrow. Let’s sleep early.” Aria prompted her as she laid her pillow properly. Maureen stood up and nodded her head in understanding.
Aria sighed. “I will definitely give it in tomorrow.” She thought.
~•**Next Morning**•~
Ellie walked in her white pair of socks and well polished black shoes to the room she has been writing her papers in for the past one week and half. It was just a paper she was having and that was Biology. She breathed in and out as she walked into it. She sat down on the same chair and table she has been using, awaiting the supervisor and her question papers.
Not sooner did the man enter that she started writing down.
~~~
<.<.<.<.<.<.<.>.>.>.>.>.>>.>
**Two hours later**
Students happily submitted their answer booklet and without warning walked towards the announcement hall. Ellie submitted her answer booklet and exited the room.
She walked alongside the other students who were heading to the announcement hall. She was hoping she would see Jake or Julia or even Aria. She did not see anyone of them so she walked there alone.
“Good day, Shining Stars.” The principal greeted and started addressing them. He talked about the way the school has been conducted. How successful the examination was even though there were a little bit of misconduct on which was quickly handled. Ellie felt bad as she heard it but did not think about it for another second.
“Your results will be out tomorrow morning and you can leave the school premises in the noon time.” He affirmed. The students all smiled happily. Notwithstanding, the vice principal, Mrs. Elite also said a few things before they were dismissed.
Murmurings and chattering echoed in the hall as people dispatched. The J-Stars left the hall and the class block. “Over there.” Jace pointed towards a shade and they allow went to sit.
“Now is the time.” Aria's subconscious mind told her as she walked around in the corridors. She exhaled and inhaled. Obviously, the wrong way to do it. But anxiety did not allow her do it. She walked towards the J-Stars as she was trialing behind them. The J-stars noticed a presence and they all looked up instantly which made Aria even more nervous.
Jake broke into a smile. “Aria.” He called out and the others noticed the way he called her like she was some sibling of his.
“G-good day.” She stuttered out as she fiddled with the edge of her jacket.
“Don’t be nervous.” Jake encouraged her. “I have something to tell you.” Her hands were beginning to shake. At this time, Julia alongside Ellie and Elsa walked towards them. Aria on seeing them lighten up a bit. “It is concerning the paper that was seen in Ellie's answer sheet.” As they heard this, everyone's attention was captured and they all sat up with straightened ears. “Hey, guys.” Julia greeted them as she sat down beside Jasper who sneakily draped his hands around her waist. Jayson saw the movement, he looked up and glared at him. Jasper smiled nervously, retracting his hands. Julia scoffed. “You can continue.” Jake said, angry that she was interrupted. “It was all Shawna's doing…” She was still talking when Jayson stopped her. “Evidence?” He asked. She slowly pulled out her cell phone and played the recording. It included Tessy and Shawna laughing that day. Ellie who did not understand what was going on or what Aria was saying stood there but when she heard her name in the recording, she went to stand beside Aria and listened to it.
“How dare she do something like this ?” Jake growled and everyone had this hard expression on their faces. Jake yanked the phone from Aria and marched out angrily. Well, everyone did. They all walked to the management block.
Jasper, Jeremy, Julia, and Jace stood outside while Ellie, Jayson, Jake and Elsa including Aria went in.
“We will love to see the principal on an urgent matter.” Jake told the secretary.