Unlike previously, Serena and her friends went to the assembly hall early that Monday morning to see the results of the Midterm examinations.
"Woah! There's your name at number 2 Serena. Ugh… I'm so hating that imbecile Douglas. I heard all about him from Via. I wish he could just go drown somewhere." Gizel said after seeing Serena's name.
Serena smiled; number 2 was still an improvement from number 3. Though she could not help but agree with Gizel, she never thought much of Douglas, but he was truly annoying now. She also looked at Emily's results. From number 9 to a number 3, and their score difference was just by the decimal. The female lead was still the female lead. Even her suggestion for the program yesterday was really good and organized. If she didn't already hate her, she would have even praised her.
It was truly pressuring to have this competition with Emily. If she was not a transmigrator with a somewhat gold thumb, she's afraid that she would have already been crushed. Anyway, she looked at the results of the second year and was very much surprised. Geoffrey and Charlton got a tie for 1st place, both having an average score of 100.
Her initial reaction was that she was so proud and happy for him. Last time, she did not congratulate him for getting second place as she knew that it will only hit a sore spot. Now that she wanted to, she doesn't know if she should.
Then she saw Leonard's name next having an average score of 99.5, he might not be very happy now. That was twice that he got defeated.
--
Their first subject for the day on that Tuesday was Economics and Serena should say that it was getting very eventful.
"I still don't understand Teacher Grace, why did I only get a final score of 95 in the exam? I believe that I've got all the answers correctly. I think there should be some transparency on how we are graded for our essay." Emily complained. In other subjects like Math, geography and history she has nothing to complain about as the answers were always on point and exact. But she could not accept that Serena got a perfect score in Economics while she only got a 95. If she got a score of at least 98, she would have placed 2nd instead of Serena.
"Miss Emily, I wish that you focus less on the grade and more on the learning. However, if you wish me to re-examine your work, I suggest you write a formal letter and make your case for a higher grade. It is perhaps possible that I failed to consider the evidence supporting your answer to the essay, or I misunderstood the nature of your claim. Your case may be strengthened by rebutting the comments I made, incorporating them to your response. If your appeal for reconsideration merits further examination, I will be happy to do so." Grace explained. It was a good thing that she was very level- headed.
Emily always felt like she has been playing favorites. She and Serena always have something to discuss during homeroom and it annoys her to no end. She nodded her head as if saying she will definitely do just that.
Grace was fair in all matters, but she was still a princess through and through. She still has pride instilled within her, so she continued. "Please be advised: I am often too generous rather than too stingy. Thus, it is possible that when I re-examine your exam, your grade might be lowered."
Emily was unreconciled but knew she has lost. Eyeing Serena she said, "Alright Teacher, I am convinced. However, may I see Miss Serena's paper? I want to learn how she was able to perfect the exam."
Serena raised her brow. She actually dares?
Everyone in class was snickering. Emily's face sure is thick. Who would dare say such things?
Emily did not mind the looks they were giving her. She did not care if It was like her against the world.
Grace sighed and looked at Serena as if telling her just show it to her, so she'll shut up.
Serena did not want to just to spite Emily, but seeing Grace giving her that look, she relented. She raised her hand with the paper, as if beckoning Emily to come and get it instead.
Emily did not let everyone's taunting look derail her. She walked to where Serena was and grabbed her paper rather rudely.
She looked through Serena's paper and saw that all her answers were indeed correct. However, some of her answers, although did make sense, were not discussed in class.
"some of the things she wrote here were not even discussed in class. So how did she get a perfect score?" Emily began.
Serena started getting really irritated. "I believe that there are concepts that are true even when not discussed in books. Besides. that is an essay. Me, adding additional thoughts or ideas on the topic reflects deeper understanding unless all I talked about were nonsensical. Do ask what do don't understand there and I will explain them all to you."
Emily had no plans of backing down. "Here, what is this price floor you're talking about? What good would there be if you'll be using that in the free market? It will just disrupt the equilibrium."
"Why? Do you always believe that leaving the market alone will always lead to the best outcome?"
"Yes." Emily answered with conviction.
Serena laughed. "First let me laud you for understanding the meaning of price floor just after reading my essay. Now, how about you think of it this way? Let's look at the essay question given. There's an over production of wheat this year, what do you think would happen? If you just look at the supply and demand, to reach equilibrium, prices of wheat will go down. It all looks ideal, but what about the farmers? Did you even attempt to go that far and think of a solution? And here I thought you're the most sympathetic person around."
"You're getting off topic. The question given in the exam did not ask for that."
"And so? I wanted to add it, what's it to you? It's not like I got additional points for it. Also, when answering an essay question, I suggest you add something for the reader to think about. Perhaps you would have given them enough proof by showing them how intelligent you are." Serena said sarcastically.
Everyone was just waiting for a cat fight to happen.
Although Grace was their teacher, she still felt some satisfaction from Serena face slapping Emily, she wanted to laugh but stopped herself. That would be unethical for her as a teacher. Anyway, she had to stop the two before things get out-of-hand.
"Emily, please be seated. I don't want anything like this happening again."
Emily who was red in the face after that chose to sit. She could not believe that she let her anger cloud her judgement. But it just felt so unfair.
Serena rolled her eyes. What a sore loser.
Her friends and classmates all grinned. Served that Emily right.
--
TBC