"Thank you, Ms. Darcey. I understand."
Claire's breath hitched for an instant, but she composed herself almost immediately. Darcey stared at her, incredulous. "Wait, kid, you're not even a little excited?"
"You just ranked number one in the whole city!"
Claire replied with a faint smile, "I am excited. I guess I just don't show it much."
Of course she was happy-but this result was exactly what she'd expected, so there wasn't much room for surprise.
"So, where are you right now?"
The teacher could hardly wait to see her star student in the flesh.
Everyone else had hurried back to campus first thing in the morning, but Claire was in no rush at all.
"I'm out in the countryside. I won't be back until noon, so I probably can't make it to school this morning."
With scores just released today, tomorrow would be the start of university applications. Many students had already streamed back to school to pick up their results or catch up with classmates and teachers.
Not seeing any sign of Claire after all that, her teacher finally had to ask.
"Alright, just come by when you can. But just so you know, there'll probably be reporters wanting an interview tomorrow. And I imagine you'll have well-wishers stopping by to congratulate you, too."
"I'll talk to the principal and the others, see when we should visit your house."
"I won't be home until noon," Claire said, giving her expected arrival time.
Since she lived alone, she didn't see much point in people coming over to make a fuss.
Honestly, she hadn't even listed her rural address with the school for the sake of convenience—why make a big crowd drive hours out to the country just to say congratulations?
"Alright, just be careful getting back. Are you driving yourself, or taking the bus?"
As always, her teacher fussed over her like a worried mom.
"I'm driving myself."
Darcey remembered glimpses of Claire's solo road trips on Facebook-she knew the girl could drive so she just reminded her to go slow, no need to spofita day like today with an accident.
Claire drove safely, and what should have been a four-hour trip she managed in just over three.
By the time she got home, it was already noon. That afternoon, school officials came by to offer their
congratulations, and soon the whole
neighborhood had heard about Claire's top score.
When Claire went out later, she even overheard a neighbor muttering a prayer, hoping Jesus would bless their own child with such success.
The school had stayed late printing banners and posters celebrating her achievement; Claire hadn't even left her street before someone recognized her.
"Hey, aren't you that genius everyone's talking about?" a woman called out as she approached.
Claire rubbed the back of her neck, feeling a bit awkward. “Can I help you with something?"
The woman was holding a little girl's hand. She smiled broadly. "It really is you! You're Claire, right?"
Claire nodded. That only made the woman more enthusiastic. "This is my granddaughter, Lilian. Would you mind tutoring her?"
Claire was genuinely taken aback.
"If she learned from you, I just know she could do just as well!"
Claire gave an apologetic smile and gently declined, but she still
crouched to meet Lilian's eyes. hope you work hard Lilian and that someday you get the grades you want and go to your dream college."
Little Lilian smiled sweetly back at her. "Thank you!"
Maybe she didn't even understand what ‘college' meant yet, but getting a blessing from someone as radiant as Claire left her beaming.
"You're very welcome."
Claire rather liked the little girl. She pulled a small snack from her pocket. "I brought this back from a trip. Would you like to try it?"
The child cocked her head, glancing up at her grandmother. Only after the woman nodded did she reach out and accept Claire's treat.