Chapter 41 Chapter 41 It was well known that Alice had a crush on Leslie . She had been chasing after him all through high school , from freshman year to senior year . But Leslie always turned her down , prioritizing his studies . She didn't constantly throw herself at him , but whenever someone she considered a rival showed interest in Leslie , she'd confront them . This time was different . Shermaine didn't approach Leslie ; it was the other way around . That , without a doubt , made Alice more concerned and jealous . After all , Leslie had never tutored anyone at this school . He was also known for his cold and aloof demeanor , ignoring most of the girls . But he had chatted away with Shermaine . " Nothing's going on between him and me , " Shermaine said bluntly . Alice wasn't buying it . " Then why did he offer to tutor you ? " Shermaine straightened up and met her gaze . " Why should I bother explaining ? Who are you to question me ? " Alice bit her lip , puffed out her chest , and spoke with fierce determination , " I'm the one who's meant to be with him ! " She was convinced that once the SAT was over , Leslie would agree to be with her . Hearing this , others couldn't help but be impressed by her confidence , thinking she was indeed the top student and the prettiest girl at school . Shermaine chuckled , her tone casual and indifferent as she said , " Oh , then I don't see the need to answer you ." She had no connection to Leslie - they were just strangers who had crossed paths twice . She had no reason to answer the questions of his admirer , who had come to confront her because of mere speculation . Shermaine might explain if she were in a good mood . But since Alice was acting like she was someone important , expecting everyone to cater to her , there was no way Shermaine would . Alice was enraged by her indifferent attitude and barked , " Don't get smug , Leslie would never like you , a useless , low - achieving student . You'd better stay away from him . " Shermaine's nonchalant demeanor shifted . Her gaze , initially cold , now carried a sharp , icy glint . She snorted , " Apologize . " Shermaine's classmates were visibly upset . One of them stood up and said , " That's right , Alice . Apologize right now , Just because you're pretty and good at your studies doesn't mean everyone's going to bow down to you . " " This isn't the first time you've insulted someone from our class , " another echoed . " Exactly . Apologize to Sheary right now ! " someone else chimed in . Alice had planned to leave , but she was blocked by Shermaine's classmates . She couldn't get away . She wasn't afraid , though , and shouted , " Move ! " " I'm saying it again . Apologize ! " someone said firmly . " Why should I ? I didn't say anything wrong . " Alice couldn't understand it . Shermaine had only been here for a few days , yet she'd already won over so many people . They even called her by her nickname . " Since you won't apologize , I'll report you to the homeroom teacher , " someone from Shermaine's class said , furious . She thought , ' If Shermaine's a useless , low - achieving student , then what does that make us ? Are we even worse ? ' However , instead of the homeroom teacher , the dean , Mason , arrived - brought over by Hannah . Mason shouted , " What are you all doing here ? " At the sight of him , Shermaine's classmates grew a bit uneasy . 1/4 Chapter 41 Mason was biased . He always smiled and treated the top students warinly . But when it came to average students like them , his face was as cold as The students greeted Mason . A bold boy spoke up . " Sir , Alice came to our class and called Shermaine a useless , low - achieving student . We just want her to apologize . Alice bit her lip . " Sir , I didn't say that . " She was clearly determined to deny everything , even on a pitiful act . Summer couldn't hold back her anger . " Alice , I can't believe you're such a coward - too scared to own up to your actions ! " Alice lowered her head . " Sir , I didn't say that . I swear . I just talked to Shermaine for a bit , and then they wouldn't let me leave . " and now Mason , clearly favoring Alice , snapped at the boys blocking the door , " Move ! What are you doing with your time ? Your grades are getting worse , a you're bullying someone ? What's next ? " " We aren't bullying her , " the students protested . " Alice did insult Shermaine , " one of the boys insisted , his face dark with frustration , refusing to back down . Mason ignored him . " If you don't move , there will be consequences . " Under his stern gaze , the boys reluctantly stepped aside , letting Alice through - but they were still furious and even disappointed . Before Alice could step out , Shermaine grabbed her by the collar at the back of her shirt and yanked her back , throwing her down into a chair in the back row . " Did I say you could leave ? " All her classmates gasped , thinking she was so badass , doing this in front of the dean . Alice crashed into the desk , letting out a sharp cry of pain . As she met Shermaine's cold , piercing gaze , she felt a chill run down her spine . At school , Shermaine was just a student - she had to follow the rules . But outside of school , she was the ruthless girl who could send the spoiled brats straight to jail . Even Shelia , who hadn't shown up at school , was rumored to have fallen victim to Shermaine and was still in the hospital recovering , Alice realized she had let her emotions get the best of her earlier . The dean shouted , " Shermaine , what do you think you're doing ?! " Shermaine ignored him and turned to Alice . " Apologize . Don't make me say it a third time . " ' Sheary is angry . Damn , that's terrifying ! ' someone thought . The tension was intense , sending chills down everyone's spine . Alice stammered , " I … I'm sorry . " Mason's face darkened as his authority was challenged , " Shermaine , you are at school ! Don't think your background gives you the right to act recklessly . " Shermaine turned to face him . " She insulted me , so asked her to apologize . What's so unreasonable about that ? Mr. Moe , why are you taking her side before even getting the facts straight ? Do you think my classmates are all lying ? " " How dare you talk back to me ? " " Please , give us an explanation , sir . " " I don't need to explain anything to you . You , come with me to the office . Now ! " Shermaine was taken to the dean's office Chapter 41 As she was led away , Alice couldn't help but smirk with satisfaction . She thought , ' So what if she's impressive outside of school ? Here , she's just a low- performing student , completely ignored by the teachers . Some teachers only care about students with good grades . Shermaine's classmates looked grim . Soon , Isabel arrived at the dean's office . The moment she stepped in , she said , " Mr. Moe , I've spoken with the students involved and also checked with the students in the neighboring class . It's true that Alice insulted Shermaine from our class . " Of course , my students are at fault as well , and I've already scolded them . Shermaine's new here , and there's a lot she still needs to learn . Class has alfeady started . Could we please let her go for now ? " Mason sneered . " She hasn't even learned to respect her teachers , and now she wants to go back to class ? She's not leaving until she apologizes and reflects on her behavior . " " That's not gonna happen ," Shermaine said firmly . " I don't think I did anything wrong . In fact , Mr. Moe , I think you need to reflect on your extreme bias towards top students . As an educator , you should treat all students equally . " I hope you can be fair , just , and transparent when handling matters . If you can't do that , then I don't think you're fit for the position you're in . " Isabel had always had her own grievances about this issue , but as a teacher , it wasn't always easy to speak her mind . Now hearing Shermaine say it , she felt a headache coming on . Mason's face turned red with anger . He barked , " How dare you lecture me on how to do my job ? Take a good look at yourself ! Your mother sent you here to study , not to stir up trouble and form cliques . " Let me make this clear : if you don't apologize today , don't bother coming back . " Shermaine stood up , looked down at him , her gaze sharp , and declared , " I've always acted with integrity and never caused any trouble . But if someone comes for me , I won't just sit back and take it . I won't apologize . But I'll make a bet with you . " Tomorrow's the midterms , and I'll get straight A's . If I don't , I'll accept any punishment you choose . But if I do , you'll have to apologize to me and promise to treat all students equally from that point on . " Isabel couldn't help but admire Shermaine for her courage . She remembered seeing Shermaine helping her classmates with questions just yesterday . According to some of them , Shermaine's grades weren't bad at all . Somehow , though , she'd developed this reputation as a low - performing student . Mason sneered . " Fine . I'll give you a chance . Let's see if you can back up that big talk . " He took a sip of coffee and continued , " Here's the deal : If you can get straight A's , I'll apologize to you . But if you don't , pack your bags and leave . " The truth was , the students with average grades had long been fed up with Mason . Whenever good resources were available in the school , they always went to the best classes . When a top student made a mistake , Mason would calmly remind them not to do it again , but if an average student messed up , they'd get an earful . When Shermaine returned to the classroom , the class had ended , but her classmates were still there , looking dejected . She walked up to the podium and said , " I really appreciate you guys standing up for me today . I know you've taken a lot of heat from the dean because of this , and honestly , you've been putting up with this kind of crap for a long time . " She paused and continued , " Life's never been fair , and you've seen it here in school . Out in the real world , it's only going to get tougher . You'll meet more people like the dean - people who are even worse . But remember , nobody is inherently superior . You're no less than anyone else . " To earn respect and make them look up to you , the first thing you need to do is make them see you in a whole new light . The SAT is your first chance to slap them in the face . From now on , follow my lead . I'll help you all exceed expectations . Are you ready? " As Shermaine's words echoed through the room , excitement washed over all her classmates . The frustration and defeat they had felt just moments ago now became their driving force . They didn't know why they trusted Shermaine so much , but for some strange reason , they just did . They all shouted in unison , " We're ready ! Sheary , take- 3/4 12:45 Mon , 2 Jun G Chapter 42 Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!