Chapter 31
Chapter 31
Anne vehemently denied it. Her gaze was skeptical as she looked at Helen.
Not until Helen finished her last syllable did she glance at Anne and ask, "Are you satisfied now?"
Anne wanted to retort. But she found herself speechless as Helen had gained a new level of respect from their classmates.
It turned out that the new student in class, though not the most attractive, had redeeming qualities.
Her Math Olympiad skills were commendable, and her Encerian fluency was exceptional. It surpassed even Anne, the class representative in Encerian.
Helen hadn't anticipated such a minor incident would change her classmates' perceptions of her.
She returned to her seat and continued solving Math Olympiad problems, aware that the competition drew near and more practice was necessary.
Accustomed to arriving late and leaving early, Jenson missed the morning's events. He was puzzled to see Helen, previously ignored by everyone, now conversing with classmates who approached her willingly.
Jenson wondered what could have happened that made Helen so popular.
"Can I call you Helen?" A timid voice broke Helen's concentration. She looked up to see a petite girl with bright eyes full of hope.
Helen was always kind to friendly peers. She responded warmly, "Of course!"
The girl's smile widened at the affirmation.
"Hello, Helen. I'm Phishie Daniels. I'm delighted to be your friend."
Helen paused at the offered handshake. The word "friend" seemed a luxury for someone like her who lacks outward beauty.
After a moment, she reciprocated, "Hello, I'm Helen Spencer."
Phishie was thrilled with Helen's response. She hoped to learn Encerian from Helen as her Encerian exam results needed improving. After all, Helen's fluency had impressed her that morning.
"Helen, your Encerian is so good. Could you teach me?" Phishie asked.
Helen thought she was about to face a significant request but found it was just a minor matter.
As friends, it was no trouble at all.
"Sure, bring your Encerian book, and I'll teach you."
Phishie eagerly brought out her book and learned earnestly from Helen.
Helen corrected her pronunciation and shared effective Encerian learning methods, greatly benefiting her.
At the end of the school day, Helen wasn't alone for a change but walked out chatting and laughing with Phishie.
After spotting the familiar Newton family car, she waved goodbye to Phishie. She approached the car and found Chandler waiting to pick her up.
Once inside, the car started moving.
But Helen didn't slack, pulling out her Math Olympiad problems to work on.
Watching her through the rearview mirror, Chandler couldn't help but notice the contradiction between her plain appearance and her distinguished presence, which seemed out of place.
Breaking his usual silence, Chandler initiated a conversation.
"Are you competing in the regional Math Olympiad?"