Ariah was absent for two days at school so she wanted to attend school on time. She used to be part of the top students back in elementary. The main reason why she was able to enter the star section of Lion's High is because of her intelligence and not because of her parents' money. People just suddenly forgot that she was the genius kid who got perfect in the entrance exam in Lion's high because she did not show any signs of her intelligence after the exam. People then say that probably she just bought the scores from the school which totally did not happen.
The moment she stepped forward in the room, a hug from behind nearly gave her a heart attack. Maria pouted her lips and looked at her seriously.
"Where the heck did you go for two days? Do you know that I was really afraid something bad happened to you." Maria then suddenly starts to cry. Ariah doesn't even know what to do and how to react. She just got some tissue in her bag and offered it to her. Maria looked at her and looked at her annoyed.
"What, you don't even want to hug me?" Ariah just laughed and hugged her. But after a second of the hug someone bumps into them.
"Can you not make a scene on the doorway?" A sarcastic question breaks their hug. It was Selene, the queen of the Star Section of Lion's high. She was from a prominent family and she is always at the top in academics. She was not bad but she was not good either. She hates people like Ariah whom she thought entered the Star Section just because of money and has no brain being always at the bottom of the class. She felt like Ariah drags down their section.
"Can you not be nicer?" Maria rebutted.
"Get out of the way." Selene was angry but she just didn't want to confront Maria because Maria is also competing with her in the top and especially because she has a very mysterious and dangerous background. Her parents often asked her to be friends with her but they never clicked so the least thing she wanted to do is to become her enemy.
Ariah just smirked at what happened. She doesn't really hate Selene. She actually likes her because she is quite straightforward and doesn't do things behind her back.
Maria wanted to refute but Ariah just pulled her at the back. Maria just sigh out of frustration and seat beside Ariah. Their classmates actually don't care although some would whisper but most of them were raised in an aristocratic family so they were raised to be more mindful of their business or just pretend not to see anything and just do things for their own benefit.
"Are you always that nice and calm? No wonder that he-" Maria stopped talking realizing she was talking too much. She slowly looked at Ariah trying to figure out if she offended her.
"Maybe" Ariah mysteriously smiled. Maria felt that there was something behind the smile but just shut up because she knew her limits. If Ariah doesn't want to talk then she won't even ask.
The student stood up the moment their teacher stood in front of the door and greeted her with a smile. Ms. Glenda was a brilliant and beautiful young class teacher of theirs. She often helps them in all classes so they are very respectful of her.
"Good morning class," Ms. Glenda smiled. "Before anything else, Ariah please go to the headmasters office." She softly instructed, creating a small noise from the class. Trying to figure out if Ariah was to be punished perhaps with her low grades.
"Maybe, it's your last day in this class?" Selene stated scornfully.
"Or maybe she will change you as the queen of this class." Maria answered hatefully. The class then laughed. Maria even showed a confident look even after the laugh trying to stand whatever she said.
"Even in her wildest dream, it won't happen" Selene asserted and most of their classmates nodded.
"That's enough, everyone of you can be at the top of this class. Although you don't need to, it's best to always do your best for everything you want to do. You just need to study harder. Try to push yourself to your limit for you to know that what you are at the moment can even achieve better results. Your finals are already around the corner. That will be your final preparation exam before the National College Entrance Examination that will determine your future." Ms. Glenda reminded and smiled at them.
Although the class is sometimes mischievous, they can be still called one the the best class she had handled ao far. It's just that the whole class has not yet bonded and therefore not intact as one.
Ariah slightly pulled her over towards her," What are you that confident in me?" Ariah jokingly asked, making Maria blush. Maria couldn't say to Maria that she just didn't want Selene's tone so she just started whatever was in her mind. Maria felt confused and Ariah just laughed at her.
"I—"
"You're cute."Ariah chuckled and laughed softly. Ariah totally understood Maria and she was really thankful for her act.
Aria then asked permission to Ms. Glenda and walk towards the headmasters office. It has been so long since the headmaster asked her to be in his office. Or perhaps it was just today where she was obedient enough to go to the office as she was always hiding from him.
"Hi sir." She awkwardly smiled and walked towards the headmaster. Mr. Z smiled sweetly and eagerly pointed out the chair to let Ariah sit down.
"It's been a long time, Ariah. It's good that you did not hide from me today." Mr. Z teasingly stated.
"I'm sorry Mr. Z. I let you down. From now on, I will try to do good in my studies." Ariah sincerely apologized. She knew she let him down in her past life. He was the only one who reminded her that she was a "genius" even after all the people telling her that she was not and never was.
It started when she mischievously entered the headmasters office when she was inquiring about the school. She was with her mother but she was just too lazy to be together with her mothers friend and listen to all their drama.
Mr. Z was fixing the papers for the entrance exam he will be giving in that morning and Ariajmh just appeared in front of him. She looked very beautiful. Such an angelic baby face with a beautiful smile couldn't have Mr. Z be angry at her.
They talked for a minute as Ariah was just being her talking bubbly. She then talked about her taking the exam which Mr. Z gladly agreed and let her take the exam. She finished it within 30 minutes. Mr. Z even laughed stating that whatever happens she can enter the school but upon checking the paper Mr. Z was stunned with the perfect score.
Ariah just smiled after being praised. Mr. Z was very happy that he was able to have a genius in his school but it was shattered when Ariah doesn't want to let Mr. Z announced her name and even kept it a secret to her mother. Mr. Z did not agree at first but because of Ariahs cuteness he agreed at the end but he never stopped hoping that she will reveal herself in the future. It was not just about the school but he genuinely cared for her. He doesn't have a relative already and looking at Ariah felt like having a granddaughter for him.
"It's fine. As long as you're happy." Mr. Z stated and Ariah started to cry. Mr. Z was stunned but patt Ariah's shoulder and tried to cheer her up.
Ariah knew that Mr. Z helped her out the moment she stepped in Lion's high. Ariah was totally lazy and always at the bottom of the class yet she was still in the star section where all the best privilege the students can have in the Lion's high was being given. It was a blinded care of Mr. Z for her.
Ariah can still remember that Mr. Z even visited her after dropping out of her college. He tried to persuade her that he can help pay for her college but she refused. It would only burden Mr. Z and she didn't really want to be away with her lover Vince at that time which at the moment she thought was stupid idea she ever had.
Ariah could not stop looking at him as she knew that after dropping out of college Mr. Z will also die because of medical complications. It was stated that he never cared about his health when he was doing his work so it led to his sudden death.
Mr. Z brought water to Ariah and gave her a paper. Ariah composed herself, drank the water and read the contents of the paper.
"International integration?" Ariah asked. Mr. Z then nodded his head.
"Yes. I want you to be our representative as an international exchange student for a month." Mr. Z happily stated.
"Didnt you always say that I need to focus on my academics? I'm having the College Exam in about 2 months. I can't go to be an international student." Ariah rejected. She already promised herself that she will really aim to be the top in the exam. It has always been her regret to enter the best college because of money and not because of her strength.
"What? You don't believe in yourself already?" Mr. Z smiled. Ariah was stunned. She suddenly realised that she basically learned everything that was taught in highschool but was lazy and afraid to be in the spotlight so she was always at the bottom.
It started when she was young when took the IQ test scoring at one of the highest ever recorded IQ numbers. Her parents suddenly become so attentive to her school and they would enroll her in all of the schools to anything that a child can learn. Her elementary days were really lonely as she spent most of her time with her books and teachers who were constantly teaching her everything.
She felt like such life is something that she wouldt want so fake an accident of her hitting her head but she was quite clumsy and really her head in the bathroom as she slipped. Blood came out of her head but gladly she timely asked for help and was brought to the hospital in time.
Ariah slept for 2 days at most in the hospital. When she was trying to remember everything she couldn't help but hit her head but stopped herself as she felt the bandage in her head. She just continued her plan and acted like she was reduced to becoming a normal kid. She tried to lower her IQ test and coupled with her acting and accident she became a normal kid she always wanted.
Ariah became such a good actress that she herself even forgot the fact that she was a real genius and was acting like a normal kid because of her laziness. However, she just really liked it also because her parents' attention was not already her academics but for her already. Though at first she saw the disappointment in the eyes of her parents but it just faded overtime that they themselve forgot she is a genius.
Ariah smiled, "Sure it wouldn't be bad to visit another place." She thought that she also wanted to be away from her so-called family so this will be another opportunity.
"Then it's settled. You will be going next week. You can just rest since you are just discharged from the hospital." Ariah was even touched as he was really very attentive to her as if her true family.
"I'm okay sir. I can take the flight tomorrow?" Ariah smiled and suddenly felt excitement.
"Are you sure? It was–"
"Yes sir. I am. Thank you. However, I only request one thing before going." Mr. Z's right eyebrow suddenly raises.
"What is it?"
"Can you please take care of your health. I want you to take a full body check up by this week and the results must be sent to me." Mr Z was stunned and hesitant.
"I won't go if–"
"I'll go," Mr. Z chuckled. Ariah blushed because it's the first time that she really treated Mr. Z has her family and doesn't want her to die.
Ariah did not go back to the classroom and instead signed lots of papers that were necessary for the trip. Mr. Z helped her and even gave her an assignment for the whole exchange student program.
Ariah just texted Maria about her going home. She really doesn't want to explain to her face to face because she hates goodbyes so she just thought of writing a letter for her before her flight.