Chapter 214
When Claire spoke up, the others immediately joined in. “Yeah, Wendy, put the book down for once and come eat with us p>
Wendy smiled shyly, touched that they wanted her along. “Okay, just give me a second.” She told them to wait, but she was already scrambling down from her bunk, almost losing her balance in her hurry.
The four of them made their way to the Cabinda University cafeteria, where the school had set up a special window just for the winter camp students. The food was decent and paying was easy, just a quick swipe of their meal cards.
Inside, the place was packed with other students from camp, scattered around in small groups, all buzzing about the morning’s exam. Some were deep in discussion, going over questions and answers. But not everyone was there just to eat and chat.
Claire had barely sat down when a guy from another table shot her a dirty look. He didn’t bother to lower his voice as he sneered, “Some people have all the luck. Doesn’t matter how they get in, as long as they make it to winter camp p>
He glanced around as if waiting for a reaction. “Not like the rest of us, who actually work our butts off every day. We even bring our practice books to the cafeteria so we don’t waste time p>
Claire knew he was talking about her, but she just ignored him. He hadn’t used her name. Why bother giving him the satisfaction of a response?
Maybe her silence annoyed him, because he just kept going, convinced he was right. He had no idea how she’d managed to get the police and the math competition committee to vouch for her, but the more he looked at her, the more he believed the worst rumors.
“Claire, aren’t you supposed to be your province’s top student? Did you even know how to solve the last problem on this morning’s test p>
His table had been talking about that tough question for a while. The teacher was supposed to go through it next class, but everyone had already tried and most had given up. Ninety percent of the group said it was impossible, and some didn’t even attempt the last three problems.
He’d picked up a possible solution from all the chatter and now he was dying to show off, hoping to
embarrass Claire in front of
everyone. He had this thing i net
girls like her-girls who were pretty
and confident, the kind he thought used their looks to get ahead.
His mom used to say that his dad left them for a beautiful secretary, so he’d grown
up with some pretty twisted ideas about women.
Claire finally looked up, her voice calm. “Whether I solved it or not doesn’t have anything to do with you p>
He puffed up with self-importance. “Of course it does. I can’t stand people who use shortcuts to get into this program, taking away spots from those who actually deserve it p>
Everyone in the cafeteria was
watching by now. Most of them
didn’t actually believe claire cheated but drama like this was rare in ther study-focused world, so they couldn’t help being curious.
Just then, Leo and Len arrived. They noticed the tension right away and hurried over. Len looked worried, like he thought Claire might be in trouble. “Claire, is everything okay p>
Leo shot her a questioning look too, clearly concerned. He hadn’t expected anyone
to start something with Claire in the middle of lunch.
Claire just smiled and shook her head, giving the guy a pointed look. “It’s nothing. Some people just don’t trustthe results of the police and the committee’s investigation, that’s all p>
The guy bristled under her gaze. “So what if I don’t trust it? You haven’t shown
anyone that you’re actually as good as they say p>
He looked at Leo and Len. “I heard you two came with her. What, are you her little fan club or something p>
That was too much. Len and Leo both turned on him, eyes flashing.