The Grade Heist

I stifled a yawn. "I'm a little tired. I think I'll nap first and eat it later."

Sierra tensed immediately.

A single piece of candy was too small. If I just pocketed it, there'd be no way for her to know whether I'd actually eaten it or not.

"Your throat's already hoarse," she said, feigning concern. "You should really take the lozenge now. And since you've got the flu, you need to keep your blood sugar up. What if you faint during class?"

Her brows knitted together in perfect imitation of worry.

The others bought it. Whispers rose from the back of the classroom.

"It's just a piece of candy. You'd think she's being asked to swallow poison."

"Honestly, she's just petty and too proud to accept kindness."

"She's already on scholarship and still acts like she's above everyone else. She doesn't even know how to appreciate people being nice to her."

Each word jabbed into my chest like a needle.

Was giving me candy really "kindness"?

Did they expect me to wag my tail in gratitude just because a rich girl offered me something cheap and sweet?

Was being poor enough reason for them to use morality as a weapon to shame me for not playing along with their fake generosity?

My fingers trembled slightly under the desk, though I forced myself to keep my expression calm.

Hailey chimed in, her tone sharp and mocking, "Would you look at that? She wouldn't take the medicine, now she won't even take a lozenge. What's your problem, Vera? You don't like Sierra or something? Are you trying to bully her?"

Her words carried power. The tension in the room turned on me, and everyone suddenly stared at me like I was the villain.

After a moment's silent calculation, I made my move. I pulled the candy from my pocket, unwrapped it, and popped it into my mouth.

A rush of coolness spread instantly across my tongue, and the sharp sting of mint flooded my senses.

Sierra's smile brightened like the sun. "That's better, isn't it? Feeling any relief?"

I forced a polite smile. "Yeah. Thanks. My throat does feel a little better."

Satisfied after watching me swallow, Sierra finally turned away, her victory complete.

I rested my head on my arms, pretending to sleep. When her attention drifted, my hand slipped quietly into my pocket.

The real piece of candy—her candy—was still there.

Earlier that morning, I'd stocked up on cheap lozenges from the school shop. Fortunately, the store only sold one brand, so no one would notice the swap.

During a quick trip to the restroom, I hid the special candy somewhere safe, then made my way back to class.

However, as soon as I stepped through the door, I froze.

Sierra was sitting at my desk, and on top of it sat my empty tin, the one I used to store lozenges.

My heart lurched.

Hailey spotted me standing by the door and shot Sierra a quick, meaningful glance.

Sierra turned slowly, her expression dark and cold. Her eyes locked onto mine. "Vera," she said, her voice like ice, "did you buy these lozenges yourself?"