Chapter 1988
Lost in nostalgia, Spencer continued, "To pique her interest, I started asking her about class lessons, feigning academic concern.
At first, she was puzzled. Why would I, the perpetual sleeper, suddenly have an academic awakening? I played it off, saying my
dad promised me four dollars for every point I scored. I've got my eyes on a figurine worth over six grand. I needed to score as
high as I could.
"Her reaction was immediate. She became my earnest tutor, lending me notes and patiently explaining concepts. She stood out
during our second year when the curriculum intensified, and everyone became protective of their study time. She sacrificed her
time for me, meticulously breaking down each topic and asking if I understood.
"I had heard numerous rumors about her from the boys' dormitory. They said her family was well-off. Her parents did charity work
and adopted a girl from an orphanage. But they were only using the girl for publicity, and they actually treated her poorly. She
was said to mistreat the girl, feed her food she was allergic to, and make her wear her old, tattered clothes. So, many of our
classmates isolated her, thinking she had a bad character.
"I never bought it. She was a stranger to me, yet she was willing to sacrifice her own study time and share her hard work. How
could someone so selflessly sharing her knowledge be that person in the rumors? Rumors start easily but are hard to dispel.
People love to paint a picture that fits their narrative, often overlooking the truth.
"Despite being an outsider, I found the rumors distasteful. She was strong, unaffected by the gossip. But she was always ready
to confront anyone who dared bring it up to her face. This resilience made many wary of her, but I found it impressive. It added to
her allure.
"As the SAT approached, she confidently told me that if I mastered what she taught, I could easily top the class. I wondered
aloud if she would continue teaching me. She said I had caught up fast.
"But here's the twist: I could have easily scored high on my SAT but chose not to. When the results were out, her disappointment
was palpable. She blamed herself, thinking she hadn't taught me well enough. That's when she committed to improving my
grades, saying, 'There are no bad students, only bad teachers.' I couldn't help but find her earnestness endearing."
Stella listened, inwardly fuming, 'That rascal! I was so concerned, thinking he had test anxiety, but it turned out he was just
playing me all along. And he had the audacity to brag about his "extraordinary performance" during the Teacher's Appreciation
Day!'
Caught up in his story, Spencer, slightly tipsy, stood up and sauntered to Keegan. Raising his glass, he clinked it with Keegan's,
a mischievous glint in his eye. He continued, "Despite half a year of tutoring, she was still indifferent to me. But then, at a school
event, I saw her gaze fixed on a handsome artist performing on stage. That's when it hit me; she has a thing for good looks."