Their Mistake, Her Rise - Chapter 26: Chapter 26
You are reading Their Mistake, Her Rise, Chapter 26: Chapter 26. Read more chapters of Their Mistake, Her Rise.
As the classmates' insults got nastier, Eunice couldn't help feeling super pleased. After all, since Zoe was called a genius by Joyce, it made sense that the big shots in Jelonsburg would be all over her.
Now the internet's full of people trashing her, but the bigwigs in Jelonsburg didn't seem to care. Eunice guessed they knew Zoe's true color all along.
Eunice sneered inwardly, thinking, 'To them, Zoe's just a cheater. A stuck-up, shameless girl who doesn't know her limits but still dreams of hooking up with Mr. Ludwig.'
Eunice, putting on a sweet act, stepped forward and said, "Hey, let's not be so mean. Zoe probably just got carried away trying to get close to Mr. Ludwig. It wasn't on purpose. It was just a mistake. Zoe, don't feel bad."
Before Eunice could reach Zoe, Jacob, looking really ticked off, stepped in and grabbed Eunice's arm. He gave Zoe a few dirty looks and said to Eunice, "Eunice, stay away from people like her. Don't let her ruin your reputation."
Herbert was quiet for a second. Then he looked at Zoe. Because of her shooting skills, his opinion seemed to change a bit. Even though his face still looked tough, he actually gave some advice.
"The school's annual wilderness survival thing is coming up soon. Everyone in the honors class has to go, and it's gonna be really dangerous. Someone like you can't handle it.
"You don't belong in the honors class. Anyway, you're probably gonna fail today's combat test, so you might as well just leave Highcrest University now."
Just then, a loud, bossy male voice boomed like thunder from outside the fighting arena. "That's right. The annual wilderness survival training is starting soon, and everyone has to take part."
A moment later, Zack walked into the fighting arena. He was wearing a vintage suit, with one hand bandaged from an injury and the other hand behind his back. He looked calm and smart. Next to him was a young assistant coach.
As Zack talked, his sharp, mean eyes stared at Zoe. His words were like a sneaky insult.
"Wilderness survival isn't a game. Danger can pop up anytime. To keep talentless and shameless kids who only know how to flirt from dragging down our honors class, we're gonna have a combat test right here, right now.
"If you don't pass, you're out of the honors class, no ifs, ands, or buts. Now, I officially announce: The test starts!"
Zack's words made the whole class turn their mocking eyes on Zoe, like they already knew she'd be the one to fail.
At Zack's command, the assistant coach walked calmly to the center of the fighting arena with his hands behind his back. Zack explained, "The rules are simple: If you can last ten moves against my assistant coach, you pass!"
Everyone in the crowd got super pumped when they heard this. The assistant coach wasn't that great, and for the honors class students, lasting ten moves against him would be a breeze.
Philip, Eunice, Herbert, and Jacob all could totally hold their own against the assistant coach in a fight.
In their eyes, Zoe probably couldn't last three moves.
The crowd went nuts. Then Zack hushed everyone and pointed to the first name on the combat test list. "You're up!"
Everyone turned to see who it was—it was Zoe.
People started mocking her. Some were laughing so hard they were clutching their stomachs.
"This is gonna be a disaster for Zoe!" Cheryl was beaming with joy.
Eunice was secretly pleased too. But Herbert and Jacob looked embarrassed and turned away.
Given Zoe's bold online persona—"Got a problem? Bring it on—I'm ready!"—everyone thought she'd suck it up and take the combat test against the assistant coach.
But when Zack called her name, Zoe didn't answer for a bit. The crowd got antsy.
Just as someone was about to push her, Zoe's eyes flashed. She lifted her head confidently and flat-out refused. "I'm not doing this test."
The crowd erupted, thinking, 'What? Not participating? Too scared to even try? Giving up on Highcrest University?'
Just when everyone thought Zoe was all talk and too chicken to spar with the assistant coach, ready to laugh at her, they saw her eyes.
Her eyes were fierce, like a warrior queen's, locked onto Zack. "But that doesn't mean I won't fight," she said. "You accused me for no reason and bullied me. Since you won't acknowledge me, let's settle this with a fair fight. Got the guts?
"In one month, when your injuries heal, I'll beat you in front of the media with one move. You in?"
Now the internet's full of people trashing her, but the bigwigs in Jelonsburg didn't seem to care. Eunice guessed they knew Zoe's true color all along.
Eunice sneered inwardly, thinking, 'To them, Zoe's just a cheater. A stuck-up, shameless girl who doesn't know her limits but still dreams of hooking up with Mr. Ludwig.'
Eunice, putting on a sweet act, stepped forward and said, "Hey, let's not be so mean. Zoe probably just got carried away trying to get close to Mr. Ludwig. It wasn't on purpose. It was just a mistake. Zoe, don't feel bad."
Before Eunice could reach Zoe, Jacob, looking really ticked off, stepped in and grabbed Eunice's arm. He gave Zoe a few dirty looks and said to Eunice, "Eunice, stay away from people like her. Don't let her ruin your reputation."
Herbert was quiet for a second. Then he looked at Zoe. Because of her shooting skills, his opinion seemed to change a bit. Even though his face still looked tough, he actually gave some advice.
"The school's annual wilderness survival thing is coming up soon. Everyone in the honors class has to go, and it's gonna be really dangerous. Someone like you can't handle it.
"You don't belong in the honors class. Anyway, you're probably gonna fail today's combat test, so you might as well just leave Highcrest University now."
Just then, a loud, bossy male voice boomed like thunder from outside the fighting arena. "That's right. The annual wilderness survival training is starting soon, and everyone has to take part."
A moment later, Zack walked into the fighting arena. He was wearing a vintage suit, with one hand bandaged from an injury and the other hand behind his back. He looked calm and smart. Next to him was a young assistant coach.
As Zack talked, his sharp, mean eyes stared at Zoe. His words were like a sneaky insult.
"Wilderness survival isn't a game. Danger can pop up anytime. To keep talentless and shameless kids who only know how to flirt from dragging down our honors class, we're gonna have a combat test right here, right now.
"If you don't pass, you're out of the honors class, no ifs, ands, or buts. Now, I officially announce: The test starts!"
Zack's words made the whole class turn their mocking eyes on Zoe, like they already knew she'd be the one to fail.
At Zack's command, the assistant coach walked calmly to the center of the fighting arena with his hands behind his back. Zack explained, "The rules are simple: If you can last ten moves against my assistant coach, you pass!"
Everyone in the crowd got super pumped when they heard this. The assistant coach wasn't that great, and for the honors class students, lasting ten moves against him would be a breeze.
Philip, Eunice, Herbert, and Jacob all could totally hold their own against the assistant coach in a fight.
In their eyes, Zoe probably couldn't last three moves.
The crowd went nuts. Then Zack hushed everyone and pointed to the first name on the combat test list. "You're up!"
Everyone turned to see who it was—it was Zoe.
People started mocking her. Some were laughing so hard they were clutching their stomachs.
"This is gonna be a disaster for Zoe!" Cheryl was beaming with joy.
Eunice was secretly pleased too. But Herbert and Jacob looked embarrassed and turned away.
Given Zoe's bold online persona—"Got a problem? Bring it on—I'm ready!"—everyone thought she'd suck it up and take the combat test against the assistant coach.
But when Zack called her name, Zoe didn't answer for a bit. The crowd got antsy.
Just as someone was about to push her, Zoe's eyes flashed. She lifted her head confidently and flat-out refused. "I'm not doing this test."
The crowd erupted, thinking, 'What? Not participating? Too scared to even try? Giving up on Highcrest University?'
Just when everyone thought Zoe was all talk and too chicken to spar with the assistant coach, ready to laugh at her, they saw her eyes.
Her eyes were fierce, like a warrior queen's, locked onto Zack. "But that doesn't mean I won't fight," she said. "You accused me for no reason and bullied me. Since you won't acknowledge me, let's settle this with a fair fight. Got the guts?
"In one month, when your injuries heal, I'll beat you in front of the media with one move. You in?"
End of Their Mistake, Her Rise Chapter 26. Continue reading Chapter 27 or return to Their Mistake, Her Rise book page.