From Sneers to Cheers: Anthea’s Ascent ( Anthea )

Tomorrow's the big day, the final exam.

With a turn, paths diverge in different directions.

Who knows if they'll ever see each other again.

Tanya stared at the name for a long while before suddenly looking up at Anthea. "Annie, have you ever had a crush on anyone at school?" Tanya's curiosity got the better of her. Anthea was stunning, after all, and she wondered which guy could possibly catch her eye.

"Uh?" Anthea blinked, then shook her head.

In her past life, she was always single, and in this life, she hadn't really thought about it.

Maybe it was because of everything she'd been through before.

Anthea wasn't exactly holding her breath for love.

Seeing Anthea's response, Tanya wasn't surprised.

Because she really couldn't imagine who would be worthy of Anthea.

"Do you?" Anthea asked.

Tanya nodded.

Anthea's curiosity peaked. "Who?"

Tanya hesitated, then said, "Abbott from the honors program."

Abbott?

She couldn't recall much about him.

Anthea touched her chin, "Is he cute?"

"Super cute!" Tanya nodded vigorously.

Her 'first love' couldn't be anything but, right?

"After school, take me to see him?" Anthea continued. "And maybe confess?"

Tanya shook her head, "Better not..."

"Why not?" Anthea pressed. "If you like him, say it! We're graduating soon. Who knows if you'll ever see him again?"

Tanya was quite reserved, and her cheeks flushed at Anthea's words. "I... I can't."

"What's there to be afraid of?" Anthea raised an eyebrow slightly.

Tanya then asked, "Annie, if you liked someone, would you confess?"

"Absolutely," Anthea nodded firmly. "Life's too short. No one knows what the next second holds. If you have love in your heart, why not shout it out? Besides, even if he rejects you, so what? You won't lose anything. It's hard to find a two-legged frog, but men with two legs are everywhere!"

With that, Anthea patted Tanya's shoulder. "Don't live with regrets."

"Annie, I wish I could be more like you," Tanya said, admiringly.

"Just think it over," Anthea patted her shoulder again.

Tanya nodded just as the bell for class rang.

Mr. Waldron, their homeroom teacher, walked up to the podium with his lesson plan as usual, reviewing key points for the exam. As the class was about to end, he cleared his throat, unusually opting not to be sarcastic for once.

"Alright. Before we wrap up, I just want to say something. You're about to graduate..."

As he spoke, his voice choked up. Looking at all the familiar faces, his eyes suddenly reddened, and the words just wouldn't come out.

He had seen this group of students grow from freshmen to seniors.

Through ups and downs.

Tears and laughter.

They had shared honors and faced doubts together.

Those memories flickered through his mind like a movie, making Mr. Waldron's emotions overflow. He turned away, took off his glasses, and pinched the bridge of his nose, "Alright, I won't say much more. Good luck on your exams!"

With that, he hurriedly left the classroom.

The students weren't in much better shape, many with teary eyes.

Even the usual troublemakers were sobbing.

After leaving the classroom, Mr. Waldron couldn't help but crouch down and sob softly.

It took a while for him to calm down and head to the staff room.

Just as he got there, he heard Mr. Bain's voice, "Mr. Waldron, the exams are tomorrow. I want to wish your student, Anthea, all the best in getting top marks!"

Ever since Anthea made the honor roll, Mr. Bain had been convinced she cheated.

With the final exams approaching, he was sure Anthea would be exposed, and naturally, he was thrilled!