The Mocked Miss’s Hidden Crowns novel Chapter 138

“Maybe she picked it up skipping class at internet cafes,” one girl whispered. “The physics test for the whole year is tomorrow. If she doesn’t make second place, Ronald’s definitely kicking her out.”

“Has anyone noticed she actually has a lot of personality? She never starts anything, but she’s not scared of drama either.”

“I know, right?” another girl said, her eyes practically glowing as she stared at Charlotte’s back. “She stood up for Shirley, and you can tell she’s a good person. If she really gets expelled just because of her grades, that’d be a waste.”

…

Back in the classroom, Charlotte tossed her backpack into her desk, pulled out her jacket to use as a pillow, and flopped down with her face buried in her arms.

“Charlotte…” Andrew called softly. The second he saw her annoyed face, he froze.

“Just let me sleep. Go away.”

Charlotte shot him a cold look and turned over, closing her eyes and giving the rest of the class her back.

“What’s up with her?” Parrish had just come back from the office, so hungry he was chewing on a piece of bread as he talked.

Andrew leaned his chin on his hand, eyes fixed on Charlotte. “It probably has to do with her jerk of a dad.”

“Huh?”

“He just barged in, didn’t even care about the details, started yelling at Charlotte, and then told her to apologize to Dennis…” Andrew shook his head. “Honestly, I don’t see a single thing about Steven that looks like Charlotte.”

Eleanor hesitated. Shirley’s grades were really good, and she’d planned on putting her in the front row. But Charlotte wasn’t the type to cause trouble, so she wouldn’t be a bad influence.

“Go ahead. If it doesn’t work out, you can move later,” Eleanor said. “And if you have time, maybe help her with physics.”

“Thank you.”

As soon as she got the okay, Shirley hurried over to Charlotte. Seeing Charlotte lying on her desk with her eyes half-shut, Shirley crouched down and whispered, “Charlotte, can I…”

“Sit.” Charlotte didn’t open her eyes. She used her long leg to nudge out the chair, then pulled two worksheets from her desk. “Do these. Explain them to me when you’re done.”

Shirley glanced at the papers. The questions were tough, way harder than anything the teachers had handed out before.