When it came to Claire, though, the reporters couldn't help but pry a little deeper.
"Claire, you even competed in the Math Olympiad during your senior year. How did you manage your time so well?"
"Frankly," Claire replied, "I didn't manage it that well at all. I just powered through on sheer will."
The reporter raised an eyebrow. "What kind of willpower is that?"
“Uh... I guess I just wanted to do my part for the national team?" Claire blurted, not even sure herself—she'd made it up on the spot, never expecting the reporter to run with it.
"It sounds like Claire is a real patriot," the reporter declared, quick to seize the angle.
"So you chose to take the college entrance exam-was it to prove something to yourself?"
"No, not really. I just wanted to switch majors. I didn't want to study math," Claire answered, completely candid.
The reporter stared into Claire's wide, honest eyes, almost dazzled by her sincerity. How do you even explain this?
It was almost unbelievable—she just didn't like math! She turned down an automatic admission offer because she wanted to major in something else, and casually aced the toughest exam in the country on her own just to do it.
The reporter remembered her own struggles with those exams-she'd barely survived.
Was this what it was like to live in the world of the truly gifted? Choosing whatever field you wanted, breezing through with effortless confidence?
"Do you have any advice you'd like to share with the students coming up after you?"
Claire smiled. “If studying doesn't kill you, then study like your life depends on it. The results will speak for themselves. Good luck!"
The reporter let out a nervous chuckle. "Claire really does get straight to the point."
She could tell Claire wasn't a fan of interviews, so she wrapped it up and set her free.
When Claire returned to class, her friends hadn't even gotten a word in before a teacher pulled her aside again.
This time, she was asked to go straight to the principal's office.
Several university representatives had arrived, all vying to recruit her.
Inside the principal's office, the atmosphere was heated-the room was practically echoing with competitive pitches from reps of top universities.
Only The Cabinda University's representative sat calmly,
BUT
thoroughly relaxed. Before leaving campus, he'd heard the math department professors say Claire was a sure thing for their school, even if she no longer wanted to major in math. The professors were disappointed, but they'd still insisted a recruiter come down-just in case.
As soon as Claire walked in, she was surrounded.
“Claire, I'm Fletcher—from Vantage Point University's admissions office."
"Hello, Mr. Fletcher," Claire replied, all courtesy and modesty.
Confident that his school's offer was unbeatable, Fletcher launched into his pitch. "Not sure what you've heard about Vantage Point University, but just for you, we're
offering not only a full scholarship, but a sixty thousand dollars signing bonus."
"Most important of all—I heard you have a grandmother you're very close to, is that right?"
"At Vantage Point, we can provide
you with a private student
P.ne
apartment. Your grandmother would be welcome to stay with you on campus. That way, you can be there
for her and focus on your re
without any worries."
The other recruiters shot daggers at Fletcher.
Classic Vantage Point-always playing the compassion card. Every time they tried
to recruit a star student, Vantage Point offered something irresistible.
Frankly, it was ruthless.
"Kingswood University is just as outstanding..." another recruiter jumped in, and soon the whole room was abuzz with competing offers.
"Everyone, thank you so much for traveling all the way out here to Silverpeak," Claire cut in, seeing the argument getting out of hand. "But...I already have my heart set on a school."