You're not smart and I am better than you. Rachel had sneered.
Those words rang in Emily's head as if they had just been said to her instead of two weeks ago during mid term exams.
"Rachel Davies, please come forward," the class teacher summoned Rachel from her pink seat right in front of the teacher who was smiling ear to ear.
"Congratulations on topping the class in the mid term tests," Mr Sam handed her a nicely wrapped package.
It was the tradition of the school to award prizes to the students who did well in every exam, mid term exams included and Emily badly wanted to win but Arithmetics made it difficult for her.
"Thank you sir," Rachel giggled and accepted her package locking eyes with Emily, a sly look in her eyes.
"I'm getting the next prize, Rachel!" Emily burst out, shocking her classmates and her teacher.
Rachel giggled and hoisted the package in the air.
"Game on!" She screeched.
"Now, now, kids. There's no need to get feisty. You just have to work harder, Emily?" Mr Sam looked directly at Emily who gave a stiff nod and looked out the window, her afro bun sitting prominently on her head.
"It's always Rachel winning the prizes," Emily heard a fellow classmate whisper behind her.
"Hmm, my mommy said it's because her mommy gave the school money," another whispered back.
"Bring out your Science textbooks kids!" Mr Sam announced.
"Final exams begin in four weeks time and i really hope you all have the date saved because the countdown has begun."
"Yes Mr Sam," some pupils responded.
"Turn to Chapter 15!" Mr Sam ordered and school went on as usual.
Not for Emily.
Losing another prize yet again to Annoying Rachel has totally ruined the day for her.
"Honey, something's up with Emily," Mrs Evans said softly to her husband whose nose was buried in a magazine.
His head whipped up immediately, "huh? What's the matter?"
"Look at her," Mrs Evans heaved a sigh, "She's been buried in her books ever since that girl beat her to the prize again," her gaze softened.
"Have you tried talking to her?" Mr Evans stared at Emily's back bent over her textbooks on the other side of the spacious living area.
"She says there will be no rest for her until she brings home a prize, I practically have to force her to go to bed each night,"
"Cute," Mr Evans gave a little laugh.
"Really?" Mrs Evans fixed him a stern stare which made him clear his throat and bury his face deeper in the magazine.
Mrs Evans shook her head with a smile.
"Take it easy, Emily baby," she called out to Emily.
"Hmm. Yes Mom," Emily mumbled.
Grabbing a pink colored marker, she circled the date when announcements would be made and prizes would be given.
Her personal date with success.
"Emily! Are you prepared for the exam?" Rachel called out to Emily as she made her way to the exam hall.
"What do you think?" Emily replied.
"Hmmm, I think I'll beat you. Again!" Rachel laughed out loud, her girls joining in the laughter.
"We'll see about that," Emily retorted and stormed into the exam hall ready to smash the exam to pieces.
Rachel's era ends today and My era begins.
Emily vowed as the question paper was placed in front of her.
"Good afternoon Mr Sam!" Primary 5B chorused as their class teacher, Mr Sam walked in with their report cards.
"Good afternoon kids," Mr Sam dropped the bundle of report cards on his table with a loud smack!
It was time for the big announcement that special day that she had circled on her calendar. Emily's heart was almost in her mouth.
"It seems like the midterm prizes motivated everyone. I saw a lot of great results," he pointed at the report cards.
No one said anything. All eager to hear who made it to the top five.
Getting no response from the pupils, Mr Sam got to work.
"Fifth position! Dara Daniels!" Immediately squeals filled the air as Dara and his friends celebrated.
"Fourth position! Michael Denton!"
More shouts from classmates as Michael made his way to the front of the class to get his prize and report card.
I'll probably be in the top three then.
Emily thought, her heart beating rapidly.
"Third position!..."
"Second position!..."
The cheers got louder as classmates celebrated those that were called.
"And now, for the first position, the person who topped the whole class…. Emily Evans!!" Mr Sam bellowed.
Immediately, Emily let out a loud shout of victory, punching the air with her fists and jumping all over the place.
The class was in an uproar as everyone cheered Emily on.
The streak has finally been broken, Rachel's reign has been brought to an end.
"Emily, come get your prize," Mr Sam called out to Emily who was still dancing in the middle of the class.
"Mr Sam!" Rachel screeched, "Why am I not in the top five? I aced my exams,"
"You came Sixth, my dear. Work harder next time,"
Emily took her prize and report card from the teacher and grinned at Rachel.
"I'm the Queen now," Emily raised her prize up, " Mwahahahaahhaha!" She laughed maniacally.
Mr Sam burst out laughing while Rachel put her head on her desk and wept as Emily sashayed to her seat, clutching her prize to her bosom.
THE END.. ;)