Chapter 169
“Mira p>
The entire class shouted in unison.
While the other students beamed with pride, Mara’s heart plummeted like a stone.
What? How the hell am I supposed to beat that?
Basking in the admiring gazes of her peers, Mira stood up and smiled. “Lunch is on me today—fried chicken for everyone!
Let’s keep improving together and ace our graduation exams next year p>
She was right. Next year’s graduation exams were what truly mattered.
There was no point in being jealous of others now; focusing on their studies was the only sensible path forward.
A few students who hadn’t scored well instantly snapped out of their funk, filled with newfound determination.
“Hell yes p>
The crowd cheered.
“Count me in p>
Mr. Harth, who now knew Mira wasn’t exactly hurting for cash, chimed in to join the fun.
“Of course. All the substitute teachers get one too,” Mira agreed generously.
With that, Mira called the school cafeteria and had the chefs prep the order.
The cafeteria food wasn’t expensive anyway. The massive drumsticks were only around five dollars each.
Feeding the fifty students and all the substitute teachers only cost roughly two hundred and fifty dollars.
It was a small price to pay to buy everyone’s happiness and unite the class.
Elara nudged Mira’s arm. “Don’t treat those guys p>
She pointed at the clique that used to hang around Mara.
“Let it go. Maybe a free meal is all it takes to make them keep their distance from Mara p>
Elara had done great too-ten points higher than her last mock exam and securing second place in the grade.
Liora and Celine had also pulled in excellent scores.
The biggest improvement belonged to Wesley, who had broken into the top ten
again. Clearly, he had completely moved on from Mara.
During passing period, Liora whispered to Mira, “I saw Mara stealing glances at Wesley the whole time p>
Elara scoffed. “She took a massive hit last time and still hasn’t learned her lesson p>
“She just needs Natalie to slap some sense into her again,” Celine joked.
When the lunch bell finally rang, the entire class bolted for the cafeteria like Olympic sprinters.
Trailing behind them, Mira and her friends walked leisurely, laughing and chatting. “Since when are the people in our class so aggressive about getting lunch p>
“They aren’t even running for the chicken. They just want an excuse to cause a scene p>
“What do you mean, cause a scene? It’s just good energy. They’re excited p>
They were young and reckless. Usually, the crushing academic pressure and the ruthless
competition for college admet
kept their true nature suppressed.
Only Mara took a quiet, secluded path, strolling slowly toward the cafeteria.
What a bunch of easily amused peasants, she sneered inwardly. Thrilled over some cheap fried chicken? She couldn’t care less.
The most infuriating part was that her former lackeys had bolted the second the bell rang, terrified Mira might leave them out.
How many expensive gifts had she showered them with in the past? They were nothing but parasites who followed the money Absolute trash!.
The more she thought about it, the angrier she got. Just as she was plotting how to
punish them later, she arrived at the cafeteria.
By now, the students of Mira’s class
had excitedly grabbed their fooda Mira’s complimentary chick and
crowding around the tables to eat.
They soaked in the envious stares from the students in other classes.
Even their substitute teachers had arrived earlier than usual to partake in the rare moment of collective joy.
“Why are you all here so early as a group today p>
“Obviously, because our class president bought us lunch. See this? Massive fried chicken p>