Done Hiding as Your Backup Plaything I'm Shining Golden as a Queen - Chapter 40: Chapter 40
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After helping the elementary schoolers with their homework, I waited at the bus stop.
It was 1 PM, and the bus was practically empty.
I took my usual spot toward the back and checked a text from my homeroom teacher.
She confirmed I'd officially scored the highest humanities SAT in Minnesota this year.
She was absolutely geeking out, flooding me with praise and mentioning that the last state champion from our school was none other than Jax Xavier.
Seeing his name gave me an instant migraine. I looked away from my phone and out the window.
Maple tree shadows flickered across my face as we drove past.
Once my breathing steadied, I looked back at my phone.
—WCCO wants to interview you for their "Minnesota Achievers" segment. Since we're all coming back to school Thursday for transcript pickup, would that afternoon work?
I texted back a simple "sure."
When I got home, Rosalia was sitting cross-legged on the living room rug in that pink pleated skirt, with college brochures spread across the coffee table like she was planning an invasion.
Mom was next to her and waved me over when I walked in.
"Liana, what are you thinking of majoring in?"
I kicked off my shoes, set down my bag, and said, "Pre-law."
Rosalia snorted. "Liana, get real. Your SAT scores aren't anywhere near high enough for pre-law."
Mom jumped in, "Honey, Rosalia might go to Minneapolis Community College for elementary education. The requirements are pretty reasonable—maybe you should consider that too? You could teach high school English."
"No thanks," I replied firmly. "I've already decided on pre-law. I'm going to be an attorney."
Mom frowned with concern. "That major has really competitive admission standards, unless you're looking at some random unranked college."
"My scores are high enough," I started to explain, but Rosalia suddenly grabbed Mom's arm.
"Mom, forget about her for a sec. Help me figure out what I should major in!"
Just like that, she successfully hijacked Mom's attention again.
It had been this way our entire lives.
I've never been the bubbly, outgoing type, and that personality difference was especially obvious in our family dynamic.
I didn't push the issue. I washed my hands in the bathroom and retreated to my bedroom.
When Thursday came, Mom drove Rosalia and me to school to pick up our transcripts.
On the way, Rosalia rode shotgun, chatting with Mom.
I was in the back, reviewing notes for my interview.
"Mom, our school's top STEM student only ranked tenth in the state this year, which is worse than last year. But weirdly, the humanities side produced the state champion. If I'd known they were focusing on humanities this year, I would've chosen that track," Rosalia said.
Mom looked surprised. "Really? Isn't Minnetonka known for STEM?"
Rosalia complained, "We got a new principal this year. I think the teaching quality went downhill. If I'd chosen humanities, I could've gotten into UCLA with Jax."
She glanced back at me. "Liana, you're so lucky you randomly picked humanities. Now you actually cleared the minimum for a four-year college."
I replied evenly, "Results reflect effort, not luck."
Rosalia rolled her eyes and turned back around.
After we arrived, Mom said, "Girls, text me when you're done. Your Aunt Jessica and I are hitting the Mall of America."
Rosalia and I headed in different directions—humanities and STEM were in separate wings.
When I walked into my classroom, everyone was chatting.
As soon as I stepped through the door, the room went silent for a beat.
I froze, thinking our teacher had arrived, and glanced back at the empty doorway.
The next moment, thunderous applause broke out.
"Absolute legend! State champion!"
"You totally crushed it!!!"
"Congrats!!!"
I stood there stunned, then slowly realized what was happening. I felt embarrassed at first, then couldn't help smiling.
I'd never been particularly outgoing in class. Even as the French Club secretary, I'd kept a pretty low profile.
But now, facing this wave of celebration, I suddenly understood what people meant about the high school experience.
It made me smile without even trying.
It was 1 PM, and the bus was practically empty.
I took my usual spot toward the back and checked a text from my homeroom teacher.
She confirmed I'd officially scored the highest humanities SAT in Minnesota this year.
She was absolutely geeking out, flooding me with praise and mentioning that the last state champion from our school was none other than Jax Xavier.
Seeing his name gave me an instant migraine. I looked away from my phone and out the window.
Maple tree shadows flickered across my face as we drove past.
Once my breathing steadied, I looked back at my phone.
—WCCO wants to interview you for their "Minnesota Achievers" segment. Since we're all coming back to school Thursday for transcript pickup, would that afternoon work?
I texted back a simple "sure."
When I got home, Rosalia was sitting cross-legged on the living room rug in that pink pleated skirt, with college brochures spread across the coffee table like she was planning an invasion.
Mom was next to her and waved me over when I walked in.
"Liana, what are you thinking of majoring in?"
I kicked off my shoes, set down my bag, and said, "Pre-law."
Rosalia snorted. "Liana, get real. Your SAT scores aren't anywhere near high enough for pre-law."
Mom jumped in, "Honey, Rosalia might go to Minneapolis Community College for elementary education. The requirements are pretty reasonable—maybe you should consider that too? You could teach high school English."
"No thanks," I replied firmly. "I've already decided on pre-law. I'm going to be an attorney."
Mom frowned with concern. "That major has really competitive admission standards, unless you're looking at some random unranked college."
"My scores are high enough," I started to explain, but Rosalia suddenly grabbed Mom's arm.
"Mom, forget about her for a sec. Help me figure out what I should major in!"
Just like that, she successfully hijacked Mom's attention again.
It had been this way our entire lives.
I've never been the bubbly, outgoing type, and that personality difference was especially obvious in our family dynamic.
I didn't push the issue. I washed my hands in the bathroom and retreated to my bedroom.
When Thursday came, Mom drove Rosalia and me to school to pick up our transcripts.
On the way, Rosalia rode shotgun, chatting with Mom.
I was in the back, reviewing notes for my interview.
"Mom, our school's top STEM student only ranked tenth in the state this year, which is worse than last year. But weirdly, the humanities side produced the state champion. If I'd known they were focusing on humanities this year, I would've chosen that track," Rosalia said.
Mom looked surprised. "Really? Isn't Minnetonka known for STEM?"
Rosalia complained, "We got a new principal this year. I think the teaching quality went downhill. If I'd chosen humanities, I could've gotten into UCLA with Jax."
She glanced back at me. "Liana, you're so lucky you randomly picked humanities. Now you actually cleared the minimum for a four-year college."
I replied evenly, "Results reflect effort, not luck."
Rosalia rolled her eyes and turned back around.
After we arrived, Mom said, "Girls, text me when you're done. Your Aunt Jessica and I are hitting the Mall of America."
Rosalia and I headed in different directions—humanities and STEM were in separate wings.
When I walked into my classroom, everyone was chatting.
As soon as I stepped through the door, the room went silent for a beat.
I froze, thinking our teacher had arrived, and glanced back at the empty doorway.
The next moment, thunderous applause broke out.
"Absolute legend! State champion!"
"You totally crushed it!!!"
"Congrats!!!"
I stood there stunned, then slowly realized what was happening. I felt embarrassed at first, then couldn't help smiling.
I'd never been particularly outgoing in class. Even as the French Club secretary, I'd kept a pretty low profile.
But now, facing this wave of celebration, I suddenly understood what people meant about the high school experience.
It made me smile without even trying.
End of Done Hiding as Your Backup Plaything I'm Shining Golden as a Queen Chapter 40. Continue reading Chapter 41 or return to Done Hiding as Your Backup Plaything I'm Shining Golden as a Queen book page.