xuexi-30-208X185mm 80P | Page 31

Warrior Reads
skills . Her teacher liked her for her quick thinking , she won the winner of hide and seek prize in her school ! Elemi acted like a snake , and sneaking has done her good .
The test passed by quickly and easily , for Elemi anyway . All she need to do was copy the words on the little scraps of paper hidden skillfully in her sleeve . Last night , like every night , Elemi had snuck into her teacher ’ s room and copied all the answers down . Easy , Elemi thought with more glee . Usually she would look around for thumbs up for her when her class finished . No need , Elemi thought cheerily , of course they will clap for me . They always do .
Elemi , feeling more confident than ever , twirled her dark violet skirt . She headed to lunch with her “ friends ”. Sleania , wearing a light yellow dress , and Jenna , wearing bright pink pants and a gray shirt . They are not exactly friends because they like to play with Elemi because Elemi was very popular . Elemi ’ s heart missed a beat as she glanced around her . The large group of girls who congratulated her when she shared her awards loudly were watching her with disgust .
“ I ’ ll eat with Christina ,” Sleania whispered as she strode away , not glancing back . Elemi turned around , facing Jenna .
“ At first I felt happy for you ,” she blurted out .” Then you keep yammering about how perfect and magnificent you are , we are annoyed ,” Elemi shivered as the icy coldness of Jenna ’ s words were let out . Several boys nearby nod eagerly in agreement , others turned their backs on her . “ Now angry !” Jenna was shouting now , unable to control her emotions . Heavy ice blocks of gloom , regret , and loss piled like skyscrapers on Elemi ’ s shoulders . Once I had been praised by everyone I knew then . The feeling was like warm sunlight on my back , like the cool sea breeze gently blowing toward me . I just want to feel that way forever ! Elemi ’ s heart cried desperately . I can enjoy popularity but I will be a humble friend , study hard . Elemi vowed this silently to the sky .
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