Chapter 0033
Judy’s POV
When I first realized Carol was no longer my friend, back in middle school, it was a few days after the spelling bee contest. She only missed one letter in the word ‘Necessary and it cost her the competition. It was only a small competition for middle schoolers, but she took it to heart, and she never forgave me for taking the prize from her.
She acted like she was still my friend though; she congratulated me and even hugged me. The school was going to host a mock ceremony for the reward a couple of days later. My adoptive mother had me wear a pretty dress and even helped me write a speech.
Not many people know this about me, but I suffer from a condition called dyslexia. Reading and writing was difficult for me. I often get my letters mixed up; reading out loud during school was a complete nightmare for me.
entire life. Most knew I had trouble reading out loud, but they never understood why. I hid this condition my
I prepared for months for this spelling bee, and I wasn’t expecting to win.
Thanks to years of training and therapy, I can manage my dyslexia way better now. It only made me work that much harder and I managed to hide my condition from almost everybody. The only ones who knew about this disorder were Nan who had been my best friend since elementary school, my adoptive parents, and unfortunately Ethan.
I confessed it to him after he marked me. I didn’t want there to be secrets between us.
Carol, like the rest of the school, only knew that I had trouble reading and writing, but she didn’t know the reason. She also knew how hard I prepared for that spelling bee because we often trained together. After I won, she spent time with me while I repeatedly went over the speech my mother and I made for the award ceremony.
I had a bit of trouble reading it out loud, but I eventually got it down and I was confident in my ability to read it in front of others.
When I was announced as the spelling bee winner during the mock award ceremony, and was about to make my speech, I noticed that every word on the paper differed. Someone had switched it out and made most of the words unreadable.
I stood in front of the school, stuttering over each word and struggling to comprehend what was on the paper.
I had never been more embarrassed.
The kids were brutal and started to laugh; my eyes found Carol’s, and she smirked at me. At that moment, I knew this was her doing. Then, some of the new friends she made walked up to me and dumped a bucket of glue on my head. Before the principal could intervene, it was Carol who stood in front of me.
“You stole my prize. You don’t deserve to win. I saw your notebook. You had every word written down and memorized. You cheated!” She sneered. Then slje threw handfuls of glitter at me, branding me as a cheater.
I didn’t cheat… I only studied. She could have done the same thing. I needed the extra help, and I utilized the material given to me.
The entire school erupted in laughter and chanted that I was a cheater. They also made fun of me for not being able to read.
The principal ushered Carol and her friends away, and Nan came to my side to help and defend me. Nan was already my friend prior to this, but that was the day she became my truest best friend. That was also the day I told her about my dyslexia.
Carol only got a slap on the wrist because of her famous mother and rich father,
+25 BONUS
Chapter 0033
I vowed to never feel that vulnerable again. My parents got the into therapy sessions where they helped me with my condition and I studied twice as hard every single day.
I hadn’t thought about that day in a long time. But as I stood in the middle of the stage, staring at all my peers, they were all silently watching me, wondering what I would do at that moment. Would I defend myself? Would I tell Carol that I deserved this scholarship?
I was speechless, just like that of the spelling bee ceremony
“Carol, this is quite a serious accusation,” the dean said, folding his arms across his chest. “This is hardly the time and place for a scene.”
“I have proof that Judy doesn’t deserve this reward,” Carol said, stopping next to me. “She is a fake… a fraud.” I was stunned and speechless.
I know everybody was waiting for me to say something in my own defense, but I couldn’t. I was numb and confused. I couldn’t believe this was happening.
The dean also seemed to be at a loss.
He soon cleared his throat and straightened his posture.
“How about we speak in my office,” he finally stated. “It would be better if we did this more privately.”
“Fine by me,” Carol said, narrowing her eyes as she glared at me. “I would be happy to show you the proof.”
The dean nodded and ushered us out of the ceremony room. He paused by his assistant who was watching us with large eyes. He whispered something to her, and she nodded her understanding.
I followed the dean, keeping my head low as everyone murmured around me.
Chapter 0034
