Finals week was brutal.
Math equations and historical terms swirled around in my brain. Alexander the Great was apparently buried alive. Tulip told me the other day as we studied European history. Nonsensical things like that were constantly on the brink of bursting out of my head.
Somehow, we all managed to survive the week, one way or another. As we walked out of the classroom having finished our final exam, I kept wondering to myself whether if we would go on the fun trip. Was it wishful thinking? Perhaps, but I just wanted to do something fun with my friends.
I couldn't believe the school year was coming to an end. It felt like it was just yesterday that I walked through the wondrous gates of the Lunacrest Girls Academy. So many things have happened since then—so many wonderful memories.
It wasn't over yet, as the school gave all their students one week of break, and then summer school began. The graduation ceremony would be held sometime during that week and I quickly realized that Zinnia and Chrys would soon be passing the torch to us. It was all very bittersweet.
For now, however, I was just eagerly awaiting the outcome of the final exams. Studying my brains out must have counted for something!
"I think we got this in the bag!" Tulip chirped. "After all, we do have the smartest student in our class!" She looked to Angel who just arrived at our table for dinner.
"You flatter me, Tulip." He smiled.
"I don't think my class won," Poppy somberly sighed, "it's filled with girls who only care about how they look, not studying."
I felt bad because we weren't in the same class, so if we did get to go on the trip, she would be left behind. And I was pretty sure it was too late to switch to our class.
I patted Poppy on the back. "Don't worry. Hopefully next year, we'll all be in the same class!"
That brightened her mood just a bit. She smiled softly. I looked up to take in the scenery. The five of us sat at a round table, everyone conversed with one another, smiles were exchanged, and laughter occasionally broke through the noise of the rest of the cafeteria. Nothing in the world could have made me happier than this. A little part of me never wanted this moment to end.
°°°
Our test scores were posted up on the bulletin board on the first floor of the main building. Petrified, I stayed behind while Iris and Tulip wriggled their way through the crowd of girls. This was it.
I crossed my fingers and whispered, "Please, please, please."
Then, I heard two girls squeal with excitement as they yelled, "Our class did it! We're going on the trip!"
My heart dropped. They were in a different class than ours. As they started to walk away, Tulip popped out, seemingly out of breath. Iris appeared shortly after her. Their faces were crestfallen and I knew that our class had not won.
They told me that our class came in second just by a few points. What were the odds of that? We all walked to class without saying a single word. I pulled Angel aside and broke the news to him—he was dumbfounded.
"What?! That doesn't make any sense. After all, I am the smartest student at Lunacrest." He smirked.
I rolled my eyes and smiled. "Yeah, well apparently there's someone smarter than you."
Shaking his head, Angel replied, "That's bull. I don't know anyone else who could have gotten a higher score than me. If there was, then they would be student council president."
He had a point, but maybe someone studied really hard. Well, I wasn't entirely sure either. We both walked into class and waited for Mrs. Aster to appear.
She wobbled in and set her things down at her desk. "As you all may be aware by now," she started, "we, unfortunately, did not win the trip. But that's okay! We came close to winning and I think that deserves to be celebrated as well."
She took out a bag of lollipops and handed them out to every student. What a thoughtful woman. I smiled as she handed me a strawberry-flavored one, thanking her as she made her way to the student behind me.
Staring at the lollipop in my hand, I warmly smiled to myself. This did help cheer me up a little.
Suddenly, there was a knock at the door. It was the headmistress. Every student stood up to show respect and we all greeted her in unison.
She elegantly strode into the center of the class and Mrs. Aster swiftly made her way to her. They whispered silently as everyone slowly sat back down, confused as to why she was here in the first place.
Tulip turned around to look at me and raised an eyebrow. I shrugged in return, letting her know that I was just as perplexed as to her.
Then the whispering stopped and they both turned to face us. The headmistress stepped forward and cleared her throat. "I have interesting news to share with all of you. It turns out that the winning class had cheated their way to the top. We have caught the student red-handed and she is now on the brink of expulsion. As you all know, we do not tolerate any form of cheating. It is shameful for a student at Lunacrest to even think of doing such an act."
I knew where this was going. Iris shifted in her seat and I saw a slight smile appear on her face. Tulip nearly leaped out of her chair in joy. I could hardly contain my excitement myself.
"This means," the headmistress continued, "that you are our true winners. Congratulations, this class will be heading up north to the very popular amusement park, Wonderland."
Everyone cheered simultaneously. Angel turned around in his seat with an expression I could only decipher as 'told you so.' I grinned back at him.
It was wonderful to find out that all of our hard work would be rewarded. We were going to one of the most expensive amusement parks in the world and I couldn't wait.
The only thing that passed through my head for the entirety of the day was planning out which rides we would go on. Mrs. Aster informed us that we had to get our parent's permission before the second to last day because the last day of school would be when we would go on the trip.
Iris and Tulip sang obnoxiously loud throughout the halls as we left the classroom. Angel and I couldn't help but laugh in amusement.
"Have you ever been to Wonderland?" I asked Angel as we walked side by side.
He shook his head. "No, never really got the chance to."
"I've never been there either. I've never really been to any amusement park."
"How come?"
"Well, my father could never afford it. But he would take us to a free water park down the street from where we lived! It was a lot of fun. Never been on a rollercoaster though, I feel like I would be too scared."
Angel smiled. "Don't worry, we'll experience it together."
My heart fluttered. I couldn't help but turn away with a goofy smile. The heat resided on my cheeks for the rest of the evening as I imagined me and Angel sitting together on a rollercoaster, screaming and laughing.
Poppy seemed rather sad that she couldn't go along with us, but congratulated us either way.
"Maybe we can sneak you in!" Tulip exclaimed.
"N-No way! If I get caught, I could be expelled!" She replied.
"Oh please, you wouldn't get expelled for going with us to an amusement park. Maybe suspended but that's no big deal."
Iris huffed in annoyance at Tulip's last sentence. Poppy trembled with worry.
Trying to resolve her last claim, Tulip quickly stated, "Look, Mrs. Aster is old as heck, she's also super blind. What are the odds she finds out you're not in our class?"
Tulip did have a point. Oh no, I think her influence is rubbing off onto me!
Iris argued that it was a bad idea, meanwhile, Tulip said it would be fun to take risks once in a while. Poppy tried talking them out of bickering and I just sat there not sure of what to do or say.
Suddenly, Angel stepped forward and everyone became silent. He turned his attention to Poppy. "Poppy, do you want to come to Wonderland with us or not?"
I studied her mannerisms—she couldn't quite look him in the eyes.
"I, um, I would like to but-"
"Then it's settled," Angel cut her off. We all turned to look at him with boggled eyes.
He smiled. "We'll sneak Poppy onto the bus with us on the last day of school."
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