"Look—it's our little brainiac."
Valeria's voice cut through the chatter like a bell. She tapped a tin of sunflower seeds on her desk until the lid went thunk. Laughter bubbled from her table, quick and sharp.
"Don't be modest," she said, smiling with her mouth but not her eyes. "Let me see your paper after the quiz. I forgot my calculator and my tutor is out of town."
Evelynn kept her pen moving. She underlined a definition and mouthed the word once, softly. The pencil's lead scratched steady, slow.
"Come on, Evie," a boy from the back called. "Share. You're full of answers."
"I said no," Evelynn said. Her voice was even. Short. Like a closed door.
The class stopped laughing for a heartbeat. Valeria rolled her eyes and flicked a seed shell at the air. It landed on Evelynn's desk like an accusation.
"She has a name," Daisy snapped from the aisle. "Use it."
Valeria's smile widened. "Aren't you brave, Daisy. Defending the little orphan."
"Watch your mouth," Daisy said. She stood. "That was uncalled for."
"Or what? You'll tussle me in front of Ms. Ortega?" Valeria leaned forward. Her ring flashed when she pushed hair behind her ear. "You'd lose your scholarship if you broke your nails."
Several students laughed again. Someone shoved a phone under the desk to film.
"Valeria, that's enough," Ms. Ortega said without looking up from her notes. "We have a lesson
