The classroom buzzed with chatter as students prepared for their group presentations. Lina had worked hard all week, writing notes neatly and practicing her part. She wanted to do well, not for attention, but because she loved learning.
Sophia sat at the back, her eyes sharp as she watched her adoptive sister. She hated how teachers often praised Lina's clear answers and polite manner. She acts humble, Sophia thought bitterly, but everyone knows she's their favorite.
Just before class began, Sophia made her move. While Lina left her seat to get water, Sophia slipped into her bag. She pulled out Lina's carefully written notes and switched them with messy, torn papers she had prepared.
When it was time for Lina to present, she opened her folder in front of the class. Her heart dropped. The neat notes she wrote were gone. In their place were ruined pages filled with nonsense scribbles.
The class giggled. "Lina forgot her work?" one boy whispered.
The teacher frowned. "Lina, I expected better from you."
Lina's cheeks burned. She tried to speak without her notes, relying on memory. To her surprise, her sharp mind helped her recall the main points. She spoke slowly at first, then more confidently. By the end, the class was quiet, listening carefully.
When she finished, the teacher nodded. "Impressive, Lina. Even without notes, you spoke clearly."
Applause filled the room. Lina smiled weakly, relieved. But at the back of the class, Sophia's nails dug into her palm. Even when I sabotage her, she still shines…