Chapter 15: D-day
After weeks and months of preparation, the final exams of our last year in high school had finally arrived. Everywhere I went, people were bent over their notes, frantically reviewing for the big day. We all knew the stakes—graduating high school came with the promise of a scholarship for college. That was the ultimate goal, the light at the end of a very long tunnel.
Even I, with my messy hair and the ever-deepening bags under my eyes, had thrown myself into studying like a total nerd. And Liam? That idiot was as chill as ever. It annoyed me how calm he always seemed, while I felt like my brain was in overdrive.
Days passed in a blur of textbooks and late-night cramming sessions, and then, finally, the D-day arrived. I woke up early that morning, my nerves a tangled mess. Dad, who was just as anxious as I was, busied himself in the kitchen, packing lunch for me. I was at the dining table, flipping through my notes, trying to cram in a last few facts.
"Don't forget your pen," Dad said, pacing back and forth. "And take an extra. And water. And an eraser. Do you have an eraser?"
"Yes, Dad," I said, laughing a little at his fussing.
When it was time to leave, Dad drove me to school. At the entrance, I kissed him on the cheek.
"Don't worry," he said, his voice steadying a little. "Write calmly, Ava. You've got this."
"I will," I promised before rushing off.
The exam hall was a sea of tense faces, but as I sat down, I found myself relaxing a little. For once, I was grateful for my ability. People's thoughts were buzzing all around me, filled with equations, facts, and theories. It was like tapping into an unspoken study guide, and it helped me fill in the gaps I hadn't realized were there. By the end of the exam, I felt good—better than I'd expected.
Walking out of school, I spotted Liam waiting for me near the gates. He leaned against the wall, his hands in his pockets, looking as effortlessly cool as always.
I smiled brightly and ran toward him.
"How did it go?" he asked, patting my head.
"Wonderful," I said, still grinning. "What about yours?"
"Eh, so-so," he said with a shrug, but his smile told me he was probably just being modest.
We walked home together, and when we reached my place, Liam leaned down and kissed me softly.
"See you later," he said before heading off to his own house.
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