“Yeah,” I say, still feeling uneasy about what is going to happen next.
The four of us grab a seat toward the back of the auditorium just as the lights lower. The girls are in the middle while Hardy and I take the outside.
“Good morning, Citrus Prep,” Dr. Freck says, walking out with a microphone. “You may be wondering why I’ve called this assembly. I have an announcement to make, and I thought it would be best to share the information all at once.”
I shift uncomfortably in my seat.
Dr. Freck walks back and forth slowly across the stage. “You may recall the assembly we had at the beginning of the year. I shared some concerns about the anxiety epidemic that was sweeping through Citrus Prep and other high schools. I’m happy to report that our counselors havereported fewer cases of stressed-out teens. Removing the academic pressure that comes with class rank and Citrus Scholar really seemed to make a difference this year.”
Ella leans in and whispers, “I don’t think it was eliminating class rank.”
I snort. “Right? Apparently, all they had to do was force people to start dating their enemy.”
“I’m sure that would have gone over really well.”
The ends would have justified the means.” I reach out and grab her hand.
She squeezes it. “Maybe for us.”
Someone from behind shushes us.
We laugh and redirect our attention to the stage.
“But while we are happy to report positive changes in student life here on campus, I have some potentially upsetting news about Citrus Scholar.”
My heart skips a beat as Ella and I look at each other. We’ve spent the entire second semester bracing ourselves for what will happen when one of us wins. It’s going to be difficult no matter what, but add in “potentially bad news,” and I’m freaking out. Ella’s worried expression matches the unease building in my chest. We both look back at the stage.
“The decision to name Citrus Scholar based on the whole student is a decision I stand by. I think we need to encourage students to explore who they are outside of grades.” Dr. Freck pauses and takes a deep breath. “However, that decision was not one that I, or anyone else at the school, was at liberty to make. With some further research,we discovered that the Citrus Scholar trust has very clearly outlined that the scholarship can only go to the valedictorian.”
I turn back to Ella. “Does that mean?”
She gasps and releases my hand, then reaches into her backpack to pull out her laptop. Dr. Freck apologizes for the frustration this may cause some of us, but I’m barely listening as Ella clicks through different screens. She turns the computer toward me as the class ranks load.
There, at the top of the page, is Taylor’s name. I can’t believe it. Actually, I can believe it. Ella and I both knew her GPA was higher than ours. We just didn’t care. Now, it’s too late in the year for either of us to bring our grades up enough to beat her.
“Who’s the valedictorian?” Lily asks.
Ella turns her laptop so the screen is facing her best friend.
Lily’s eyes widen.
“Who is it?” Hardy says from the other side of her.
“Taylor Brown,” Lily says loudly, even though Hardy is right next to her.
Her voice echoes through the quiet auditorium, and a murmur starts close to us and moves throughout the crowd. I’m keenly aware of everyone’s attention on me and Ella. The last time we had an assembly about Citrus Scholar, Ella cried out in the middle of it. Most of the student body is aware that we’ve spent the entire year trying to beat the other. And, in the greatest upset of all, neither of us will be valedictorian or get Citrus Scholar.
I turn Ella’s laptop back toward me. In my shock, I didn’t get a chance to see who came in second. I take a breath and look at the screen. Right under Taylor’s name is Ella’s. She beat me. My parents are going to flip out. Not only did I not get Citrus Scholar, I had the nerve to come in third place. I’m sure my father will have plenty to say about this, but for now, I’m really proud of Ella. Not only did she manage to participate in a ton of new clubs this year, she still ranked second in the entire grade.
I hope that’s enough to make her happy. Dr. Freck is trying to gain control of the audience, but everyone has started talking amongst themselves.
I lean toward Ella. “You okay?”
“Do you mean because I came in second?”
I nod. “I know how much Citrus Scholar meant to you.”
“I knew there was a chance I wouldn’t get it.”
