Chapter 5: Rumors, Rivalries, and Rising Scores

After he got out of the hospital, Caleb and I moved our evening study sessions to the school library.

We claimed a corner table, surrounded by stacks of books. The librarians knew us by name, slipping us extra bookmarks and snacks.

He worked on college-level books I brought him, while I tackled piles of practice tests.

Sometimes we’d swap, quizzing each other late into the night. The janitor would flick the lights, warning us to go home.

If he ran into something he didn’t understand, and I remembered it, I’d help out.

He’d raise an eyebrow, surprised. I’d grin, proud to finally give something back.

Caleb looked at me like I’d discovered a new continent.

He’d smile, shaking his head in disbelief. It felt good, being useful.

To study better, I begged my parents for a computer.

I made my case, outlining all the ways it would help me get ahead. They caved, and I danced around the kitchen in victory.

The day the internet was installed, Mrs. Wallace stood by the fence, sneering, “Girls these days, always using ‘studying’ as an excuse to bring boys over.”

She leaned over the fence, voice dripping with sarcasm. I rolled my eyes, refusing to let her get to me.

Ethan’s voice was cold and angry. “Mom, whoever she brings home, that’s her business.”

He sounded tired, older than his years. I wondered if he was finally seeing his family for what they were.

Between the two of them, they were basically calling me loose.

Their words stung, but I held my head high. I wasn’t going to let them drag me down.

My mom got mad and argued with Mrs. Wallace, but she couldn’t win.

They went back and forth, voices rising. I stepped in, pulling my mom inside before things got ugly.

“Mom, arguing with someone that rude just drags you down. Never mind getting into a top university—I’m definitely good for a strong one, and with Uncle’s help, I’ll do fine.”

I said it loud enough for Mrs. Wallace to hear. She scowled, but I just smiled.

I said it on purpose to get under the Wallace family’s skin. Then I dragged my mom inside.

We shared a laugh in the kitchen, the tension easing.

Mrs. Wallace shouted after us, “You barely scraped by last time, and now you’re bragging already?”

Her voice faded as we closed the door. I shrugged, unfazed.

“If she’s not aiming to be valedictorian, she must want to marry the valedictorian!”

“Let her talk,” I muttered. “Words are cheap.”

“She can’t do anything herself, but she’s sure petty.”

My mom rolled her eyes, and we both burst out laughing. Sometimes, you just have to let people talk.

After ten minutes, she finally got tired and stopped.

Peace returned, and I got back to my books.

Once the internet was up, I told Caleb he could come over on Sundays to look things up online if he needed help.

He grinned, eyes lighting up at the thought of unlimited information. I promised to make snacks, too.

Caleb was happy to agree and said he’d bring some food from home.

He joked about his mom’s famous pot roast. I told him I’d be the judge of that.

I teased him—what kind of tutor doesn’t get a meal?

He laughed, promised to bring extra next time.

Caleb gave me a searching look. “Savannah Carter, you’re nothing like you used to be. Before, you were like a greenhouse flower. Now you’re more like a wildflower on the mountain.”

His words warmed me. I liked the sound of that—strong, resilient, free.

If I could, I wouldn’t want to be a wildflower. But this time? That’s exactly what I wanted. To thrive, even in the harshest conditions.

I smiled, determined to prove him right.

After another month of burning the candle at both ends, I scored 1360 on the second practice SAT.

I danced around my room, waving the score sheet like a victory flag. Progress felt good.

If the real SAT was similar, I’d have no problem making the first-tier cutoff. But I wanted more than that.

I set my sights higher, refusing to settle.

Caleb held onto his top spot with ease, and I drooled over his scores.

He shrugged, pretending not to care. But I saw the pride in his eyes.

Eighty-six days left until the SATs.

The countdown was on. Every day felt like a marathon.