Chapter 3Saving Grace High

When I woke up, I found myself lying on a cot. I was in the nurse's office.

The smell of rubbing alcohol mixed with something else. The delicious scent of sausage and eggs.

I turned my head. Jax was standing by the bed with a scowl on his face. He held a still-steaming breakfast burrito.

He rudely shoved it into my hand. "Here. It tastes like crap. Lucky you."

His eyes darted elsewhere. His tone was hard. "Listen up." "From today on, we're covering your meals." "Your food... tsk, guess it's our bad luck, it's on us!"

He paused. He leaned in a bit, deliberately putting on a fierce expression. He lowered his voice.

"But if you dare fail your exams..." "Or dare to breathe a word of this to anyone..."

He shook his fist. "I'll beat you to a pulp." "Hear me?"

After speaking, he grumpily slapped a stack of papers onto the table next to me.

I picked it up. My heart skipped a beat.

It was a mock SAT exam. From the city's top tutoring center. Complete with detailed answer keys and explanations.

I had been worrying about this. After transferring, I wouldn't have access to these materials anymore. I wouldn't know how to solve the problems I got wrong. I heard the teachers at this school didn't really teach.

"Thank you..." My eyes immediately reddened.

Jax bristled like a cat whose tail had been stepped on. "Thank my ass!" "Just write it well for me!" "If you don't finish... you're not allowed to go home and eat!"

He ordered fiercely. But the tips of his ears seemed a bit red.

Just then, a chubby guy ran in. He looked a bit goofy, panting, holding a huge stack of papers. His forehead was covered in sweat.

"Jax! Jax!" "Look at these, are they okay?" "I just stole... no, borrowed them from the principal's office!"

His voice was loud. Full of excitement and a desire for praise.

Jax was startled. He grumpily ruffled the guy's hair. "Quiet down, Fatty! Want the whole school to know?"

He took the pile. It looked like past exams and practice tests. He glanced at them, then disgustedly shoved the whole lot at me.

His expression was totally unnatural. Forcing a tough-guy act.

"Uh..." "Study these waste papers too!" "Hurry up, don't dawdle!"