Exchange - Chapter 5

Chapter 5

The results of the practice test shocked everyone. Out of over a thousand students, I’d gone from the bottom to the top 30. Jessica, the perpetual number one, had dropped to over.

Her foundation from previous years was still there, but between the distractions of her romance and her… less–than–stellar intellect, she couldn’t keep up with the intensity of the senior year curriculum. I, on the other hand, was still catching up on the basics.

Luckily, Jessica’s brain had been good enough to give me a solid foundation in a year. A brain was a terrible thing to waste. She didn’t want it. I did. Thanks to Ethan, my parents did another 180. I was used to being ignored, so I didn’t care.

Jessica, though, acted like she’d regained her lost throne. She became obsessed with her looks, constantly checking her reflection. Finally, during math class, Mr. Jones, Jessica’s biggest fan, lost it.

He confiscated her mirror. “Jessica, if you keep this up, you won’t even get into a decent state school. Remember what I said? With your abilities, Harvard is within reach. I could overlook your lack of effort before, but now… I can’t watch you throw your gift away. This kind of talent is a blessing. One wrong choice can ruin your life. Do you understand?”

He glanced at Ethan, who was sleeping in the back row. Jessica just shrugged. “Mr. Jones, I can get number one whenever I want. This stuff is too easy. I get it instantly. Why waste my time? I won’t disappoint you on the SATs.”

Her plan must have been to switch back with me right before the test. She didn’t know the trade required both of us to agree. The system had told me, but not her. And I wasn’t agreeing. That brain was better off helping me solve math problems and contributing to humanity than being wasted on some boy drama.

Jessica held out her hand. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need my mirror back. I promise you’ll get that bonus for producing a Harvard student. A genius like me doesn’t need your help.”

Mr. Jones’s expression shifted from disbelief to heartbreak in a second. He never bothered with her again. She and Ethan continued to flaunt school rules, inseparable everywhere they went. Ethan even started coming over to our house.

My parents were thrilled, showering him with food and attention. He loved it, saying our home had “warmth,” unlike his cold, empty mansion. The walls in our house were thin. I could hear their constant cooing and whispering, interrupting my studies. Finally, I packed my bag and headed to the university library nearby.

The library had a copy of The Princeton Companion to Mathematics, a book I’d been searching for. It was on a high shelf, out of my reach. I sighed, turning to find a librarian, when I bumped into someone. The scent of pine filled the air.

The guy was wearing a white uniform from Northwood High, the best high school in the city. His hair fell into his eyes, but I could still see his sharp features. His top button was undone, revealing a glimpse of his collarbone.

He reached up and effortlessly grabbed the book.