Lesson 3 Together We Grow

Mr. Reed was addressing the class, and the other

One Fine Exam Day
students filed into the room. I gave Lisa a worried

I was waiting outside the classroom. I was feeling look and followed them inside.

sick, and I always felt this way during exam week.

Today I had two exams, and unfortunately, physics I could not answer the last two questions. They were

was first. I hated physics because I could never get beyond me. Frustrated, I looked up and saw Emma

all those abstract theories straight in my head. But sitting in the front row. To my astonishment, she had

this was the last day of exams! I could see the light her smartphone under the table and was stealing

at the end of the tunnel. I took a deep breath and quick glances at it. I did not know what to think!

looked around. I saw Emma at the front of the line. Was that how Emma always got good grades? I felt

She did not have a problem with physics. In fact, she really angry at her but did not know what to do. I

did not have a problem with anything! She looked thought about telling the teacher but could not

back at me and then looked away quickly. I thought bring myself to do it. “What would everyone else

she looked guilty. She was avoiding eye contact. think of me?” I thought. “It's not fair. I've never

cheated, and I ended up failing lots of exams.” With

“Hi, Sue, now it's your favorite subject,” said Lisa, a sigh, I told myself, “Better to be a failure than a

teasing me as she approached. Emma looked back cheat.” Emma had put her smartphone away when I

again. looked up again. She looked back at me and smiled

“Does she have a problem?” Lisa said to me. “I awkwardly.

thought you were friends.” “Stop writing and put your pens down,” said Mr.

“Yes, so did I,” I said. “But she has been avoiding Reed. He started to collect the exam papers.

me for two weeks now. She promised to help me “Oh, no! I didn't finish all of the questions. I'm going

prepare for the physics exam, but she ignored all my to fail again!”

calls and texts. It was no use calling her at home,

either. Her mom just told me she was busy. She

doesn't remember who her friends are!” I said with

anger.
I wanted to talk to Emma at lunchtime, but she was As I was leaving school, I heard someone come up

nowhere to be seen in the school cafeteria. The next behind me. It was Emma.

exam was history, my favorite subject, but I did not “Sue, wait!” she said. “I want to talk to you.”

feel good about it. I went to the school library to go Her face was pale, and her eyes were red.

over my notes one last time, but I could not “Do you think I'm a cheat, too?” she said to me. I

concentrate on them. I still felt really conflicted about did not know how to answer her.

Emma. I considered reporting her to a teacher, but I “Listen. I'm really sorry I didn't answer your calls.

just could not do it. I said to myself, “Everyone Actually, I'm having a tough time because my dad

would hate me if I did that. It's not fair! Emma has had a heart attack two weeks ago. He is in the

been getting good grades by cheating all the time. hospital, and I was very worried since he had a big

How silly I am! I thought we were friends!” operation today. I know it was foolish, but during

I was sitting behind Emma again at the history exam the exam I was reading texts from my mom to see

that afternoon. This time, she did not take out her how things were going. Just then, Mr. Pendanski

smartphone. Maybe she did not need to cheat at caught me and thought I was cheating. He believes

history. I was feeling awful again, but I had no me now and gave me a second chance. I'm sorry I

problem with the exam. I was asking myself, “Should wasn't frank with you. I know you're a good friend.

I tell Mr. Reed once the exam is finished? But what Will you forgive me?”

would happen to Emma and what about for me?

What about our friendship? Wait, have we ever truly

been friends?” I was filled with total confusion.

I was on the last question when I saw that Emma

had her smartphone under the table. She was

looking at it and did not hear Mr. Pendanski walking

quietly up to her table. He said nothing. Emma

looked up, surprised. He picked up her exam paper

and pointed to the door. It was no use trying to

hold back the tears. She could not help crying. Then

she made her way to the door. As everyone watched

her, I felt all my frustration turn to pity.