CHAPTER 10

Brittany got home and pulled out the page containing the procedures and answers to the test. She knew full well that teachers requested that the procedures be shown, which she also knew she wouldn't be able to do without them lying in front of her.

She quickly hid the paper when her mother entered the room.

"Brittany, how's everything going? You didn't even say hello when you got home."

"Yeah, sorry, Mom. I'm just trying to prepare for the test tomorrow."

"You haven't even begun studying?"

"No, I have, I'm just studying some more."

Mrs. Pierce watched as Brittany pulled her books and notes out, ready to study.

"Okay, well, dinner will be ready soon, so just come down when you're hungry."

"Sounds good. I'll be down soon."

Mrs. Pierce began to leave, but turned back.

"It's so good to see that you're determined to pass. I'm so proud of you, sweetie."

She then left, and Brittany set her books and notes aside and brought the paper back out. If no one knew about it, and Brittany passed, then there would be no harm done.

INTERLUDE

It was the day of the test, and Brittany and Rory headed to school together.

"Are you ready for the test, Brittany?"

"As ready as I'll ever be."

"It'll be a snap. I firmly believe that you can do it."

"Thanks, Rory. I believe I can do it too."

"Here, I have something for you."

He pulled a rosary of emerald-studded four-leaf clovers out of his pocket and gave it to Brittany.

"It's for good luck. It's also for remembering me by when you graduate."

Brittany couldn't help but smile, knowing that Rory believed in her that much, and hugged him.

"Thanks, Rory. It's beautiful. And I'll remember you, always."

They smiled to each other and continued to school. When they arrived, they went their separate ways, and Brittany headed to her math class, sat in the back, placed the paper into the table's book holder, and brought out her materials for the test.

INTERLUDE

Brittany walked out of class with the other students, feeling relieved. The test was easy enough with the paper to help her, and she knew that she was going to pass. She was stopped dead by her teacher's voice.

"Brittany Pierce, could you come back here, please?"

Brittany turned back and went into the classroom, where the teacher waited for her behind his desk.

"Ms. Pierce, I'm rather surprised at you."

"Why? Did I do something wrong?"

"I'm not sure. You surprisingly got every answer on the test right. Not only that, but you put down every step of each problem as well. Something tells me that you had some outside help."

"No, I didn't cheat, I swear. I just studied really hard."

"I'm sure you did, but it still raises suspicion. I'm going to have a word with Principal Figgins about this, and see if you can take the test again and still get a perfect score."

Brittany seemed to freeze in place in fear. She had not counted on this happening, and she gripped Rory's rosary tightly.

"Mr. Greco, please, I promise you, I did not cheat. I studied very hard for this test, and I really want to graduate."

"Ms. Pierce, as moving as that is, you have not been able to get through a test with anything higher than a C, so it's very suspicious that now of all times, you have gotten a perfect score. I will have a word with Principal Figgins on this matter."

Brittany hung her head in sadness, and Mr. Greco sighed.

"Ms. Pierce, I also want you to graduate and move on with your life, but I also want to be sure that you are committed to the work. If Principal Figgins agrees on this matter, you will be given a second shot at the test near the end of the school year. If you score at least a B on that test while doing well on the others, then you will be able to graduate."

Brittany nodded while fighting back tears, and left the room to try and find her Glee Club friends.

THIS IS THE END OF THIS STORY. WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO BRITTANY? STAY TUNED FOR MORE.