Chapter 3: The Bet

The next morning, there was an English practice test. The class groaned, but I just nodded, already planning which questions I’d leave blank. The teachers graded fast—by the end of the day, scores were online, and my classmates were glued to their phones.

During study hall, Maria, our class president, tapped me on the shoulder. "Mr. Swanson wants to see you." My stomach dropped. The front office reeked of printer ink and stale coffee. I braced myself.

Mr. Swanson slammed my English test on the desk. "Caleb, I don’t even know what to say anymore. The SATs are coming—can’t you at least finish the test?" He shook his head, voice tired. "You did great on the entrance exam your freshman year. What happened?"

I kept my head down, tracing the scuffs on my sneakers. There was nothing I could say. After a while, he just sighed and waved me away. "Go on. Think about what I said."

As I left, Natalie came in with a stack of AP Lit homework. She smiled at Mr. Swanson, ignoring me. He brightened, thanking her for helping out. I caught the glint in Natalie’s eyes when she heard "entrance exam." She couldn’t resist: "Entrance exam? That was ages ago… Just proves people can change. Don’t you think so, Caleb?" Her tone was pure challenge.

I didn’t answer, just brushed past her, catching a glimpse of her own English test—130, nearly perfect. She held it higher, proud. The system piped up: "Are you sure this is worth it?"

I looked out the window at the empty football field, the sun slanting over the bleachers. After a pause, I whispered, "She’s still worth saving."

I’d ruined my reputation, lost friends, and taken every hit just to save Lillian. But if it meant she had a chance, I’d do it all again.

I never stopped studying, even if my scores said otherwise. The day of the SATs would be my freedom. I had to hang on a little longer.

My scores dropped lower and lower. Teachers were worried, classmates less surprised. Natalie watched, waiting for me to fail. She even stopped by my desk to sneer at my blank answer sheets, making sure everyone saw. "You can’t even answer these simple questions. I really don’t know how you’re still here. But… I guess you won’t be for long."

I kept my head down. Meanwhile, my notebook of mistakes got thinner—not because I was getting worse, but because I left most tests blank on purpose. The questions were easy. Solving them in my head was a game, but explaining that to Natalie was pointless. She loved having someone to look down on.

I only had two wishes: Columbia physics, and for Lillian to get better. Once, when I was being extorted by some thugs, Lillian grabbed my hand and pulled me out of trouble, promising it wouldn’t hurt for long. She’d always been there for me. Watching the system’s health points climb, I knew she was close to waking up.

The day of the SATs, the system unbound from me. For once, I filled in every answer, checked my work twice, and let myself hope. After two days of testing, I rushed straight to the hospital, nerves frayed, heart pounding. I needed to see if Lillian had really recovered. If she hadn’t… I didn’t know what I’d do.

At the hospital, the fluorescent lights hummed overhead, the air sharp with lemon cleaner and burnt coffee. The front desk lady just nodded as I ran past, nearly slipping on the shiny floor. I hesitated outside Lillian’s room, hand on the door, before finally pushing it open.

But before I could step inside, a sharp voice cut through the air: "Caleb, what are you doing here?" Natalie stood at the foot of the bed, designer tote over one arm, Alyssa and Brian flanking her, all looking vaguely uncomfortable. She sniffed, eyes rimmed red. "What, finally here for your mental health?" Alyssa snorted, Brian chuckled, and their laughter echoed down the hallway, drawing stares.

I straightened, fixing Natalie with a look. "Want to make a bet?" My voice was steady, even as my heart hammered in my chest.

Natalie folded her arms, eyebrows raised. "Let’s hear it."

"My SAT score will definitely be higher than yours."

She froze, then doubled over laughing. "Caleb, you’re actually crazy. If you lose, you have to crawl at the class reunion. Deal?"

I hadn’t answered yet when someone grabbed my sleeve. A clear, strong voice rang out: "Why is it that if you lose, Caleb has to crawl, but if you lose, it’s just an apology? That’s not fair! If you lose, you crawl too."

My breath caught. That voice—I’d know it anywhere. I turned, and there was Lillian, healthy and standing tall beside me, her eyes bright and full of life. The hallway went silent, everyone watching as she faced Natalie down. For once, Natalie didn’t have a comeback. The hallway held its breath. Game on.

I felt hope bloom in my chest, wild and reckless. Maybe this time, I wouldn’t have to fight alone.