Chương 60: THE DATE FOR THE FINAL EXAM HAS ARRIVED

— After the week of the big exam finally arrived, for the entrance to the University, at Amaranta's School, they organized so that the kids who would take the exam in the Capital City, would all leave together, so they rented buses that would take them to the places that had been reserved for them to stay. The departure date was set for one day before the exam in the morning, so that they would arrive early in the city, so the students would have enough time to rest and prepare.

— Amaranta was at home preparing everything, what she would take to Capital City, while she was chatting with her grandmother and she asked her: "Amaranta, where did you go last night?" Without hesitation, she answered.

—"Grandma, last night Izan came to celebrate my birthday, and we went out for a while, I walked with him along the riverbank, he came just for a moment, since he had to return quickly to the camp" Argument Amaranta.

—"This boy Marsans, always so busy, but still made time to come and congratulate you on your birthday, he is so good, I hope he becomes my grandson" commented Grandma Mary with a certain mischief.

—"Grandma, I think Izan will not be your grandson" said Amaranta somewhat sadly.

—"Why do you say that Amaranta?"- asked the grandmother, a little worried about her granddaughter, because she already knew that she liked Izan, it was impossible for her to hide it.

—"I am not enough for him, he needs a woman who is of his social class, rich, educated and outstanding. I have none of that" The grandmother did not know how to console or respond to Amaranta upon hearing those words.

—"Don't worry, Grandma, I know my place, now I will only worry about getting to the University" Amaranta completed her unconvincing diatribe with these words, hoping that her grandmother would not worry about her.

— She was more worried right now that her grandmother hadn't found out what she had gone through with Alberto Ortega's mother, because she knew that would make her very sad, knowing that she had been beaten in front of her classmates, she couldn't bear for her to find out about such humiliation that she had to go through. So she asked very calmly and cautiously in her words.

—"Grandma, haven't you heard anything new this afternoon in the neighbourhood?" Hoping that Grandma would answer sincerely, she continued packing her things.

— Grandma imagined why Amaranta asked that question, but thought it would be better to pretend that she didn't know anything about the humiliation that Martha Ortega had done to her, she was about to take her entrance exam to the University, she didn't need an unnecessary worry at that very moment, so she decided to answer:-"No, nothing, everything is normal around here."

— Amaranta chose not to go into more detail on the subject, if her grandmother didn't know anything it was much better, she would explain it to her when she returned from the exam.

— Grandma, you know my friend Alberto, the son of Mayor Ortega, left home, but I found him working on a construction site this morning, carrying bricks. I spoke to him and told him that if he was only doing it to annoy his parents, it wouldn't do him any good, he would only lose the opportunity to be someone in life, because of a misunderstanding, but he said it's something he has to fix himself."

— Amaranta didn't tell Grandma Mary that she herself left him a card with 50 thousand euros so he could decide if he was going to study or start his own business. If he decides not to return home, she doesn't want him to ruin his life for something as stupid as a foolish crush, since she told him that she doesn't like him, that she sees him as a good friend.

—"Amaranta, that boy is right, he has to solve the problem himself, only then will he learn from his mistakes, not all children mature so quickly, but I think he's a good boy, and he'll get ahead well, don't worry." She encouraged her. Grandma Mary to Amaranta.

— The morning of departure for the Capital City finally arrived. Amaranta was ready with her schoolmates, gathered in the school's courtyard, waiting for the last instructions from their teachers, so they could leave. After a lively speech from the Institute's director, they began to board the vehicles destined to transport them to the city.

— They were already on their way, when a girl who was her seatmate began to chatter with Amaranta — "I'm very excited to go to the Capital City, I want to eat all kinds of food they sell there." — This comment didn't seem strange to Amaranta, since many of her classmates had never visited the Capital, but what she said next is what exasperated her a little — "Amaranta, the first thing we'll do when we get there is go out to eat. If you know the city, you'll come with me to see it. Where can we eat all kinds of things, and why not have something to drink?"

—"Carina, I think it's not right for you to go out to eat outside the place where we're staying, much less on the street, you could get sick and not show up tomorrow."

"Carina, the university entrance exams are tomorrow. Can't you wait to eat after we finish?" Putting her hand on her shoulder, Amaranta asked this.

Carina threw Amaranta's hand away angrily. "I'm treating you like a good friend of mine. That's why I'm asking you to go eat with me," Carina explained. "Forget it if you don't want to eat. I'll find someone else to be with me."

— They didn't continue with that conversation until they reached the place where they would be staying in the City. Amaranta watched as Carina walked away. She called out to Carina and emphasized: "Carina, I'm also treating you like a good friend of mine. That's why I'm telling you that you'll have plenty of opportunities to eat later. However, college entrance exams are a crucial moment in your life that will determine your destiny. Think about what I just said. Is leaving now more important than your future?" Think about it." With that, Amaranta went to bed. She reviewed some particularly difficult and key questions and studied them.

— She couldn't let what had happened to her in her past life, when she had done poorly on the university entrance exams, happen to her. As such, she felt even more nervous when she had to do it again.

—"I'll do it this time," Amaranta murmured.

— A couple of hours passed and Carina returned. When she returned, Amaranta began to tell her everything she saw near the place where she was staying and where she went to eat, she was ecstatic. But Amaranta, listening to her, the only thing she thought about was that Carina looked like her other self, the one who failed to get into university in her other life, a girl so superficial and easily influenced, that she was dazzled by anything.

—"Amaranta, did you hear what I just told you?"- Carina asked.

Amaranta nodded. "I heard you."

"So, shouldn't you "Are you excited about that?" Carina asked, confused.

Amaranta looked at Carina and felt like she was looking at her past self. She had been so ignorant in her past life. "I have nothing to say."

Carina saw how indifferent Amaranta was and couldn't help but comment, "Amaranta, why are you acting like an old lady? You're so boring! Forget it. I won't talk to you."

Amaranta wasn't the only girl in the dorm. Quickly, Carina found some other girls to talk about the city with.

Amaranta felt that they were a bit noisy. She picked up her phone and quietly walked away. She sat down under the basketball hoop in the field.

She took out her phone and looked at Izan Marsans' name on the screen. Then, she made up her mind and pressed his name. A dial tone could be heard on the phone.

Every dialling sound seemed to match Amaranta's heartbeat. He heard his heart skip, thump, thump, thump.

—"Amaranta." Izan's voice could be heard from the other line.

— Amaranta's eyes reddened slightly. She swallowed thickly and said, "Izan…"

"Amaranta, tell me, where are you right now?"

—"I'm in the girls' dormitory where we were placed near the university," Amaranta replied quietly.

— I knew Amaranta was going to take the university entrance exams. Why didn't you book a suite in a hotel for her? Izan frowned. What was Philip doing? Would Amaranta be able to sleep well in the girls' dormitory? If she didn't sleep well, it would affect her mind when she takes the university entrance exams!

—"Amaranta, I'll get someone to book you a suite in a hotel. Pack your things."

— She wanted to see him. She didn't want a suite in a hotel. If she could just see him tonight, it wouldn't matter where she would sleep. "Izan…", Amaranta began.

— Izan answered: "Hmm?"

"Nothing. I just wanted to say your name." He answered in a soft voice.

— After answering, she was so nervous that Amaranta laughed. Izan answered: "Wait for me!"

"Izan, are you coming to see me?" His eyes lit up waiting for an affirmative answer.

—"Yes"… said Izan without giving him time to say more, he hung up the call…