Both of them were genuinely excited.
They'd invited Claire to join their celebration, but she looked uncertain. She already had plans to go out with her roommates.
Len piped up, "Why not just go together? Both dorms can join in."
Claire glanced at her friends. "You guys mind celebrating with them?”
Nanette was quick to answer, "No problem, we're in."
Linsey and Wendy shrugged. Food was food, and it didn't really matter who they ate with.
Because of Claire, the two dorms had always been pretty close anyway.
Suddenly, someone outside shouted, "It's snowing!"
The group walked out of the classroom and, sure enough, snowflakes drifted down from the sky.
Carr was out on the field, staring up at the falling snow. He reached out, trying to catch the flakes, and kept switching between laughing and crying. "Snow in June..... Whose injustice is this?"
"It's mine!" he shouted, then burst out laughing.
Most of the students took one look at Carr and steered clear. They all suspected he'd finally lost it, but no one could be sure.
Claire and her friends walked right past him, not even bothering to spare him a glance. But just as Claire was about to pass, Carr called out, "Claire!"
She stopped and turned around. "Yes, Carr?"
Her voice was cool and distant. She didn't bother to hide how uninterested she was, which was a big change from how she usually treated other classmates. No one blamed her though. Carr loved causing trouble. If anyone else were in her shoes, they'd probably feel the same way.
"You won this time," Carr said, his voice tight.
Claire just replied, "Okay,” acting like it was no big deal.
Carr's expression darkened. "I won't lose to you forever. I'll see you at Cabinda University."
Claire raised an eyebrow. "Thanks for the confidence."
If he was saying "see you at Cabinda University," that meant he was pretty sure she'd place in the top six and get in.
Carr quickly added, "I'm not complimenting you, I—”
Claire cut him off. "I don't like losing. Next time we meet, it'll be the same."
She walked off before Carr could say anything else. She didn't think much of him at
all.
The other students felt the same
way. Carr always talked big but
never
distract
d through. He love
and stir up drama.
Nanette leaned in and whispered, "I heard from his roommates that they all hate him: He's a nightmare. When him: he wants to study late, he turns on his lamp even if everyone else is trying to sleep. But if he wants to sleep, nobody's allowed to study. Everyone has to match his schedule. If he wakes up early he makes sure to wake everyone else but if someone else dares to get up before him, he flips out, yelling that they're ruining his study time, ruining his rest, that they're just jealous."
Now that Carr hadn't made the cut, his roommates were probably celebrating.
Claire didn't comment. People like Carr just couldn't stand losing. Nobedyjuked him not that he cared. He was too wrapped up in his own little world, convinced he was the best thing ever.
"Claire!"
Norris hurried out of the classroom, catching up to her.
Claire turned. "Norris, what's up?"
"The professor wants to see you," he said.
Claire hesitated, not quite following.
Norris clarified, "He said he can finally keep the promise he made you."