Coolest Girl in Town (Elise and Alexander)
Chapter 60

Chapter 60,Coolest Girl in Town

Samantha exclaimed earnestly, “You're incredible, Elise! I can't believe you actually obtained aperfect score on the test!” While she stood at one side, Riley was in awe as she quickly pointed out,“I ought to kneel before you, milady!”

Elise, however, kept a straight face as she took her seat. Mr. Bolton went on to announce, “WhileMiss Elise has gotten the perfect score, there are two other students who did well in the test as wellMr. Zachary, who scored 92 on the test; and Miss Amanda, who scored 90.” The grimace onAmanda's face waned after she learned that she had received a 90 on the test. It wasn't asimpressive as Elise’s perfect score, but it was comforting for Amanda to know that she had donebetter than the rest of her peers. “The rest of you who have scored below 90 will need to put in theextra work over the coming weeks.” When class ended, a large group swarmed around Elise’s deskin fervor.

“So, you're Elise. Our teacher has told us how brilliant you are. I mean, we know you won first placein the City Mathematics Olympiad, but we never imagined you to be this good!” Another studentpiped up cheerily, “You're like my role model, Elise. You know, Zachary goes to Cloverfield High withus and he's always been the one to be in first place in the City Mathematics Olympiad. You have noidea how completely satisfying it is to see you break his records!

I could never stand that high-and-mighty attitude of his anyway. It's about time he gets dethroned!”However, he was oblivious to Zachary's presence behind him when he said this. “Excuse me.”Zachary had spoken up so suddenly that everyone was stunned while they fell into silence beforescurrying back to their seats. Elise looked up and met his gaze. He was the first to break the silence.“It's been a while since I've had competition. Pleased to meet you.” “Thank you. You did pretty goodtoo,” she replied steadily. Zachary had grown up with countless compliments that were thrown hisway, but for some reason, Elise’s praise struck a chord in him; he could detect the sincere edge inher tone. “I'll do my best to surpass you the next time,” he said, looking resolved. She nodded as sheencouraged, “I look forward to it.”

After giving her a long look, Zachary turned to walk away. The boot camp participants kept a tightschedule where they had lessons from morning until night. As tiring as the day had been, the girls inDorm 503 continued their studies for about an hour or so after classes ended.

With Elise leading them, even Samantha—who hardly paid any attention to academics—wasinspired to do better. On the other hand, Amanda was competitive by nature. She had a solidfoundation to begin with, but now that her roommates had their noses buried in math olympiadexercises, she didn't want to be left behind. She might not be on good terms with them, but she wasperfectly fine with studying on her own.

A week flew past in the blink of an eye, and before anyone knew it, the weekend had alreadyarrived. In a demonstration of humanity, Mr. Bolton decided to give the students a half-day break.Alexander was waiting for Elise by the school entrance. She was heading out of school grounds withSamantha and Riley, and when she saw Alexander in the distance, she said, “Hey, I have toskedaddle now. I'll see you both tomorrow.”

Samantha waved her goodbye and watched as Elise boarded his idling car. Riley couldn't help butsqueal, “Goodness, is that Elise’s boyfriend? He's a work of art!” As she was unable to hide heradmiration, Samantha agreed, “I envy her. How can a girl be so lucky as to excel in school and havea hot boyfriend?”

They were only making casual commentary, but Amanda overheard everything by chance. Sheglanced in the direction of the luxurious ride that was idling outside the school entrance andthought about Elise’s day-to-day wardrobe. There's no way that girl comes from a well-off family, sowhy would she come and go in such a flashy car? She snorted coldly and snapped, “Please. It's not asif he's her boyfriend for sure.

She's probably a sugar baby or something, though it does make me wonder if all the rich men havehad a change of taste recently. I mean, surely one has to be blind to want to hang out with the likesof Elise.” “Watch your mouth, Amanda.” Riley bridled at this. “Elise is a friend of mine and no onegets to talk about her like that.” Amanda was entirely unfazed as she retorted, “I can talk about heranyway I like.

Does Elise look like she’s an heiress to you? I think both of you need to get your eyes checked.” “Iguess people like you will always try to put others down no matter what,” Samantha bit out. “There'sno point for me to waste time and energy on you.” “That's right. You should really see a therapist,Amanda. All that bitter resentment can’t be good for you.” After having spat those words, Rileylooped her arm through Samantha's limb and they walked away, leaving Amanda fuming where shestood.

Amanda glowered at their retreating figures and shouted, “If you don't believe me, then so be it!Just you wait. I'll show everyone that Elise is nothing but a lowlife sugar baby!” “You—" Riley wasabout to turn around and knock some sense into the wretched girl when Samantha stopped her."Okay, that's enough,” Samantha advised. “You can't fight crazy, so let's just ignore her.” The angerthat thrummed in Riley's veins was quelled when she heard this. “You're right. She really is crazy!”With that, they walked away and once again left Amanda glowering behind them.

She scoffed contemptuously and thought, / have to collect evidence that proves Elise is a sugar baby.To hell with her reputation as a top student; she’s nothing more than a floozy who lives off men’smoney. She was determined to expose Elise’s true colors to everyone and at this thought, she tookout her phone and made a call. “Find me a paparazzi who has excellent photography skills.Whatever the cost may be, I'll pay him accordingly.”

As soon as she hung up the phone, a wicked smirk began to play on the corner of her lips. ... Elisethought that they could be heading home after she entered Alexander's car, but she was surprisedwhen he brought her to a fancy Italian restaurant instead. “Why did you bring me here, Alexander?”He turned to give her a withering look. “Why else would I bring you here at a time like this?” Sheblinked at him, and as if beating her to an answer, her stomach grumbled. She flushed and hurriedto catch up with him. They staked out a table by the window and the waiter came by with the menu,which Alexander slid over to Elise as he said plainly, “Order whatever you want.”

"Okay," she replied. She took the menu and flipped through it before she ordered a couple ofsignature dishes. “I'd like to have a mushroom ravioli, an ossobuco, the pan-seared sea bass, aFiorentina steak and a classic Margherita pizza.”

She did not hold back with her order. The waiter then left and returned with all both Alexander andElise’s orders, and within minutes, the table was close to overflowing with food. As she was starving,she wasted no time in picking up her utensils to dig in. “The Fiorentina steak is amazing! Here, youhave to try some.”

As she said this, she sliced a piece of the steak and placed it on his plate. He frowned slightly andgave the meat a cursory glance. Surprisingly, despite his mildly obsessive-compulsive tendencies, hewasn't too offended by Elise’s gesture and he speared the meat with his fork and popped it into hismouth.

“Not bad.” Alexander thought two words were more than enough to form a true compliment, butElise had an indulgent smile on her face as she protested, “Not bad? It's scrumptious! I can'tremember the last time I had a steak as tender as this. Whatever they serve in the school cafeteria isonly good for sustenance, though the flavor is lacking.” While saying this, she grabbed another sliceof pizza and took a bite.

“If 1 could have pizza everyday, then life would be a cabaret.” Amusement glittered in his eyes whenhe heard this, but he quickly suppressed it as he offered, “I guess I could drop by your school with apizza or two whenever I'm free—if you want me to, that is.”

She gaped; she was starry-eyed as she exclaimed, “Really? In that case, you should definitely getmore than two pizzas. I have two girlfriends to feed.” He hummed nonchalantly.

“That's no problem at all.” It was with a beam when she answered, “Thank you.” Elise appeared to bein a good mood today and her appetite was astonishing as well. She practically bulldozed her waythrough the meal while Alexander sat across from her, seemingly pleased to watch her eat.

It was a complete mystery as to how a face as plain and ordinary as hers could attract him. / must bebewitched, he thought ruefully.