Secrets of a First Daughter Read Free Page B

sprang into my mind. I’d heard rumors that test grids could be loaded into high-end calculators.
    Could Brittany Whittaker be cheating?
    The ominous smell of licorice hit me before I heard a throat clearing next to my ear. I jumped. “Keep your eyes on your own test, or I’ll have to disqualify you for cheating,” the proctor whispered.
    â€œBut I…”
    â€œYou have four minutes left before pencils down,” he said firmly.
    Crud! I still had about five problem sets to go. I began scribbling, the proctor’s eyes burning holes in the side of my head the entire time. When the bell rang for pencils down, I’d managed to finish two more equations.
    I leaned back in the chair and heaved a big sigh. One down. Next up: physics.
    While the proctor was gathering Scantron sheets,Brittany leaned over. “Oh my. Look at all the questions you left blank. Have trouble with basic high school algebra, Abbott?”
    She laughed. I ground my teeth together.
    We had a twenty-minute break between sessions, and I took the opportunity to get some fresh air and try to shake the sick feeling in my stomach.
    â€œHow’d it go?” George asked as she escorted me to the grungy patio area off the cafeteria.
    â€œOkay, I guess. I didn’t get to finish three of the problem sets.”
    â€œIt’s really hard to finish the whole thing, if I recall. They design the test that way.”
    â€œBrittany Whittaker somehow managed,” I answered glumly.
    â€œShe must be some kind of math whiz then.”
    â€œShe’s not.” I bit my lip.
    George, somewhat of an expert now on reading my body language, knew something was up. “What is it?”
    â€œI think Brittany was cheating.” I explained about the calculator and what I saw in the LCD screen. “But I have no proof. It’s just a suspicion anyway.”
    George’s expression didn’t change, but her slanty elf eyes went hard.
    â€œForget about it,” I said. “I need to get a snack before the next test. I’m starving.”
    â€œOh? You mean you didn’t get a chance to eat any of thescones you made while you were down in the electrical room this morning?”
    â€œUh…no.” I hurried away to the bank of vending machines before she could see me flush.
    I bought an energy bar and barely had time to scarf it down before it was time to take the next test. As we took our seats, Brittany pointedly ignored me.
    Physics is not my thing at all, and this test was going to be my biggest challenge yet. My previous score was so low, it was embarrassing. I took a couple of deep breaths and focused on the first question. I was barely aware of George moving to the front of the classroom and whispering to the proctor. Brittany’s outraged squawk jarred me out of my concentration. “Who do you think you are? I demand you give back my property.”
    The test proctor loomed over Brittany, holding her calculator and examining the LCD screen. “I need you to come with me, please.”
    The entire room gasped.
    Brittany rose. Scarlet streaked her cheeks, and I thought I saw a shimmer of tears in her eyes. She swiveled toward me. “I’ll get you for this,” she hissed through her clenched, whitened teeth. “Watch your back, bitch.”

Chapter Four
    â€œServes Brittany right, Morg.” My BFF, Hannah Davis, riffled through my closet, throwing outfits that passed her critical judgment on my bed. It was late afternoon, and I’d spent the entire morning draining my brain over SAT questions. Now Hannah had come over to offer a little mental relaxation and some sorely needed fashion advice for the London trip.
    She continued, “Little Miss Wonderful tried to game the system by cheating and she got caught. I wouldn’t waste one drop of sympathy on her. She wouldn’t on you if the situation was reversed.”
    â€œI know, I know.” I sprawled in my