Making the Grad

by anonymous

Once upon a time in the bustling town of Maplewood, two siblings, Jake and Jessica, prepared for
the most anticipated test of the semester: the annual math championship. This wasn’t just any
ordinary exam; it was a test that determined the top spots on the honor roll and granted a free trip to
the state finals for the best two scorers. For Jake, who had always excelled in math, the stakes were
high. For Jessica, who was more artistic but equally determined, it felt like a chance to finally step
out from her brother's shadow.

As weeks led up to the test, the atmosphere at home grew increasingly competitive. Jake spent
hours in his room poring over practice problems, while Jessica opted for flashcards and creative
diagrams, trying to find ways to make math enjoyable. Their parents encouraged healthy
competition, but the rivalry between the siblings intensified, each determined to best the other.

On the night before the test, Jake felt the pressure mounting. Despite his preparation, he couldn’t
shake the anxiety that Jessica might perform better. As he lay in bed, he overheard her quietly
reviewing problems in her room, muttering formulas under her breath. A sinking feeling settled in his
stomach.

Later that evening, as Jake paced his room, he suddenly stumbled upon a tempting idea. His friend,
Max, had mentioned a way to sneak a quick peek at the answers during the test. “Just a few
glances… no one will know,” he thought to himself. The temptation gnawed at him, and as guilt
flared in his chest, he rationalized, “It’s just a little help. It’s not like I can’t do the work myself.”

The next day, the classroom buzzed with nervous energy as students settled into their seats. Jake’s
heart raced as he took out a small cheat sheet he had scrawled overnight. He was determined to win
at any cost. When the test started, he could hear the ticking of the clock blending with the rustling of
papers, which seemed to grow louder as he unfolded his hidden sheet.

For the first few questions, everything felt easy. He glanced down at his cheat sheet, answering
questions with newfound confidence. With every correct answer, the thrill of potential victory coursed
through him. But as the test progressed, something shifted in his heart.

Jessica’s persistent whispers of encouragement echoed in his mind. The image of his sister studying
tirelessly replaced the exhilaration of cheating. He remembered her laughter at the dinner table as
they’d practiced math tricks together, the way she had cheered him on during previous competitions.
With every passing moment, Jake’s initial confidence transformed into a heavy blanket of shame.

As he reached the final questions, the guilt became unbearable. He looked at his cheat sheet,
crinkled in his palm, and couldn’t bring himself to use it any longer. Instead, he folded it and
discreetly slid it into the pocket of his backpack. He took a deep breath, focused on the paper in front
of him, and began answering questions to the best of his ability.

When the tests were graded and the scores posted, Jake stood beside Jessica as they stared at the
results. His heart sank as he saw her name at the top with a stunning score. He had come in
second, a respectable placement but not what he had hoped for. Once filled with excitement, his
thoughts now weighed heavily with remorse for having cheated.

“Congratulations, Jessica! You did it!” he genuinely exclaimed, forcing a smile to mask his
disappointment. But deep inside, he felt that this victory wasn’t truly hers, at least not the way he
believed it should be.

The days that followed were difficult. Jake couldn’t shake the feeling of deceit, and every time he
saw his sister proudly displaying her trophy, a pang of regret struck him. One evening, as they sat
quietly in the living room, he turned to her, heart pounding.

“Jessica, about the test… I have to tell you something,” he started.

Her enthusiasm dimmed the moment he spoke. “What is it, Jake?”

“I…I cheated. I thought I could win, but it didn’t feel right. You worked so hard, and you deserved that
score without any shortcuts.”

Jessica's eyes widened, and a mix of shock and disappointment crossed her face. For a moment,
she was silent, processing his confession.

“Why would you do that?” she finally asked, her voice steady but hurt.

“I don’t know. I was scared of letting you win. But I realize now that it’s not about winning. I just want
you to know how proud I am of you, really.”

Her expression softened, and she nodded slowly, surprised but relieved to hear the truth. “Thank you
for telling me. I wish you would have believed in yourself more.”

From that day onwards, Jake and Jessica committed to being each other's biggest supporters,
learning that the true measure of success wasn't in comparison but in the effort they put forth. Years
later, when they looked back on that math championship, they would remember not the rivalry, but
the bond that grew even stronger, built on honesty, respect, and a newfound appreciation for each
other’s strengths.