Chapter 5 Alice's pov

The following week passed in a blur, as I was constantly at the library, or at the art museum preparing for my upcoming mock test.

Today is d-day and I hope the test doesn't turn out too bad. What was very bad was constantly drinking coffee, and barely sleeping for three hours each day.

I didn't really feel the fatigue until after the test. I got into my hostel. Saw Leah and Jane watching a movie. I dropped my bag on the floor, and slumped on the couch, in between them.

"How was it?" Curiosity and concern was clear in Leah's voice.

With a heavy sigh, I said words I never knew I could say."I hope I pass."

Things seemed so much easier at my previous school. Now I kinda feel I had it easy. Seeing the questions today, my eyes almost popped out of their socket as I gawked at them.

Jane got up, dust my bag with her palm, and hung it for me. "I'll get you something to eat and then you can forget all about the paper."

I gave a small smile. Jane was a good cook. I could eat her food all week and never get tired. I wish I could say the same for Leah.

She almost burnt down the hostel last week while trying to boil some water for tea.

Speaking of the devil, Leah scotch closer to give me a massage. Her delicate fingers worked on my muscles. "I'm sure you did good, I mean you particularly lived at the library ."

Jane chuckled, probably recalling the memory of me sneaking into the hostel when I stayed out past curfew as she sat on the floor beside my legs.

"It's not that funny," I rolled my eyes even though a small smile crept on my face.

Jane walked in from the kitchen with a bowl in hand. "From your end maybe. You didn't see the look on your face when you got caught." I groan at the memory, taking the bowl with eggs and bacon as Jane passed them over to me.

"Yeah, tell that to my mom. Now I always have to report my whereabouts to her." I let out another groan with a mouth full of eggs.

"Don't worry. Mrs Valentine is not that strict and she knows your mom so the chances of you failing are very slim." Leah said as she tapped my back in a soothing way.

Jane slapped her leg, shooting her a death glare.

"What?" She rubbed the spot where she was smacked glaring back at Jane. It took her a minute before she understood the reason for the smacking. "I didn't mean it that way." She rushed out.

I knew I've heard few people say I get preferential treatment from Mrs Valentine because she is a fan of my mum's work. I've not been the kind of child that rely on my Mum's status to get what I want. I don't want to pass because she idolizes my mum. I want to pass because I've put in the work.

"I know" I sighed "I don't want to pass because she is a fan of my mum, that would make all the rumors true." I snuggled closer to Leah as she racked her hand in my hair.

"I know you can't fail. Not because Mrs Valentine likes you..." She said staring at Leah "but because you put in a lot of effort." She touched my leg, and smiled lovingly at me. I see this as God way of repaying me for all the shitty people I've met in my life, cause Leah and Jane are way different from the girls at hills that claim to be my friends.

I couldn't see her face but from the tone of her voice I knew Leah felt remorseful "I'm sorry I said that, I swear I didn't mean it that way."

"No, it's fine." I said as I rubbed the spot that Jane smacked earlier.

Leah cleared her throat "So...since no one is preparing for any test . Why don't we go the bar this evening. A friend of mine is throwing a party." I swear this girl is always cheerful. For someone that was chastened few minutes ago.

"Let's just stay in and watch a movie." Jane said, slouching in her seat. "Going out would be fun. I even heard that Zillion will be there. You know you can spend more time with your man." She bobbed her eyebrow up down, up down, shaking her shoulder playfully.

Jane blushed and threw a throw pillow at her. Leah caught it and looked to me"Alice what do you think. We should go right?" "Or we can stay in and watch movies." I thought about it for a second."

I think we should go out. I've been indoors for the past two weeks and it would be best to take my mind off the test."

"So going out it is." Leah playfully smacked Jane shoulder. "Uggggh, I can't believe you girls." Jane rolled her eyes smiling.