Chapter Thirty

The following day passed quickly for Dera. She wished for the day to end soon so that the winners would be announced. As the day progressed, the anticipation grew.

'Winners might be announced today,' Andrew mentioned to Dera as she prepared to go to school. 'The jury is deciding. I'm sure they'll make a fair verdict.' Andrew's frequent use of legal terminology reflected his aspiration to become a lawyer, presiding over cases in a courtroom or even serving as a member of the jury, imparting authoritative verdicts. With a joyful expression, he added, 'Someday, I hope to have the opportunity to render my own verdict.'

Dera grinned at Andrews words, then replied, 'I was hoping the winners would be announced this morning, but I guess it will happen later in the day.'

'I hope you'll win at least a hundred dollars,' Andrew expressed his confidence.

'Do you have that much faith in me?' Dera laughed.

'Of course, you're my adorable sister, so you must be a genius,' Andrew said, reaching out to touch Dera's face. 'Don't think too much about it. Take the bus and come home after school.' He handed her some cash and walked towards his room.

When Dera arrived at school that day, she didn't feel like sitting in the classroom as her mind was preoccupied.

Jennifer observed Dera standing against the wall, looking expectant. Concerned, she approached her and asked, 'Dera... what's wrong?' She could sense that something was troubling her friend, and she wanted to offer her support.

Dera glanced at Jennifer and forced a smile. 'Nothing, I just felt like getting some fresh air,' she replied, trying to dismiss her worries.

The truth was, she was anxiously awaiting a call from her brother, hoping he would inform her about the winners of the challenges on Goodwall. Her future depended on it. She wanted to tell Jennifer about Goodwall, but she hesitated, fearing that if it turned out to be a scam, her friend would be hurt. So she decided to keep quiet until she confirmed its authenticity. After all, considering the prevalence of fraud in the world, it took courage to believe that Goodwall was real.

'My dressing table becomes a battlefield whenever my sister returns from boarding school. She always complains that our mum never buys her makeup, so she wants to use mine. Whenever she goes out to a friend's party, she piles on heavy black eyeliner,' Jennifer shared, and Dera laughed. 'With her long hair, she leaves hairbrushes filled with hair all over the place, and I end up cleaning up after her. But despite all that, our fights never last longer than a few minutes.'

'If you miss your little sister, why not visit her school? I'm sure she would be happy to see you,' Dera suggested.

'I don't miss my sister because I talk to her all the time,' Jennifer paused. 'But I miss you because you're here, yet I don't know what's bothering you.'

Dera smiled. 'I'm fine.'

Jennifer let out a soft sigh. 'I asked my mum to help you with your registration. Just have a little faith. She'll do it for you.' Jennifer wanted to believe that her mother would assist Dera, but she had doubts about her mother's willingness to do so.

Dera smiled and remained silent. She was grateful to Jennifer, even though she didn't want her mother to register her. She had to place her hope on Goodwall.

'Let's go back inside,' Dera suggested after a while, and they returned to the classroom.

Now in the class, Dera walked towards her seat and sat down. Then, she pulled out her diary from her school bag and began to write her thoughts down. She had been so involved in writing that she hadn't noticed anyone approaching her desk. Before she realised it, her diary was already snatched away.

'What are you writing, a letter to your sweetheart?' the golden-haired boy chuckled, waving the book.

'Abraham, I can see that you want me to notice your golden-dyed hair. It's fine. Now, please give my diary back,' Dera said calmly.

'Wait a minute. Let me see what you're so busy writing.' He read it aloud. 'Dear Goodwall…' Who's Goodwall, your new crush?' he asked with a playful smile, raising one eyebrow.

The class burst out laughing.

'Yes, my new crush,' Dera stood up and reached for the diary, her face showing no hint of embarrassment even as the students in the classroom laughed. 'Give it back.'

The boy pursed his lips. 'If Goodwall is your crush, why haven't you told anyone before? Are you in a secret relationship or something?'

'I just told you that Goodwall is my new crush, didn't I?' Dera replied, rolling her eyes.

'Does that mean you had an old crush? Come on, spill the beans. Who's the lucky guy? Is it me? No way! Don't tell me you dumped me. I can't handle that. Did you really dump me?' Abraham asked, feigning shock and looking amusing.

'Well, I just did,' Dera rolled her eyes. 'Now, can you please give it back?'

'Aww, you've wounded my heart,' Abraham faked a cry, and the students burst into laughter, except for Jennifer, who walked over and snatched the diary away from him.

'Abraham, can you please leave Dera alone?' Jennifer intervened, handing the diary back to Dera.

'Jennifer, how could you betray your desk partner like this?' Abraham joked.

'Well, Dera became my best friend before you became my desk partner. It's obvious who I'll support, right?' Jennifer replied.

Abraham nodded. 'Yeah, you're right... but then, I won't give you any doughnut today.'

'I don't care,' Jennifer said nonchalantly.

'You don't really care?' Abraham tilted his head and purposely asked, fully aware of Jennifer's love for doughnut.

'I do care... no, I don't care,' Jennifer playfully replied.

Dera couldn't help but laugh. She knew how much Jennifer loved doughnuts—after all, they were her favourite snack. 'Jennifer, I'll buy you a box of delicious doughnuts anytime you want,' she assured her.

'I believe you,' Jennifer smiled, looking at Dera hopefully.