At the end of the term, although Andrea did not beat Maria because Maria topped the class again, she came fourth in the class, the best result she had ever had. She was so happy.
You can do better, you know, Maria told her.
Andrea nodded. Yes, I know and I will, she said. Next term I will come first.
Micheal was happy at the academic improvement of his daughter. He praised her and he told her she could do better. Sarah just smiled because she realized that Andrea's improvement had been because of Maria. Maria's coming to their home had indeed been a blessing. She was really glad that she had accepted the girl.
The studying hard continued. Andrea worked so hard that at the end of the term, she was the most improved child in the class. She came second, she was so ecstatic.
She never knew she could do this well. If Maria was not in her class, she would have been in the first position, she thought to herself.
Then, she thought again, if Maria had not been in her class, she would have remained in her comfort zone and continued to come seventh or eight.