I lowered my eyes, letting a look of regret cross my face. "Samantha was afraid I'd report her. She took my exam admission ticket. She still hasn't shown up... I might not be able to take the test."
Thud.
Principal Harrington collapsed.
Chaos erupted. Some rushed him to the hospital. Others herded the remaining students toward the exam site.
I boarded the bus. The atmosphere inside was suffocating. Someone had already started crying.
"My dad's going to kill me... I never should've gone to that bar..."
"What am I going to do? I'll never get into a top university now... This is all Roger's fault..."
I stared out the window, expression blank, listening to them weep.
Weren't you all geniuses? Didn't you say the exam was just a formality?
So now you're scared of failing? Now you know how to cry?
At the exam site, just as I'd expected, I was turned away at the gate—no admission ticket, no entry.
One of my classmates caught my eye, guilt flickering across their face. "I'm sorry," they whispered.
I confirmed there was no way in, then turned and walked away.
Dad's face had gone a dangerous shade of red. He kept switching between worry for me and cursing Samantha's name.