Perfect Revenge by K. L. Denman Page B

be standing near Kyle, and when I slide my glance a little to the left, omigod! Our eyes meet. Not mine and Mr. Sparks’ eyes, mine and Kyle’s.
    Kyle grins and stands up. He’s coming my way when Mr. Sparks says, “Be seated, everyone. Books on the floor. Pens and calculators only for this exam.”
    Exam?
    Someone asks, “Are we allowed scrap paper?”
    Mr. Sparks says, “Yes, scrap paper is allowed. But be careful. I’ll be checking that the scrap is blank.”
    Exam?
    I turn to my current lab partner, Mandy. She’s okay, totally dope for someone in the optional shadow colors. The way our school just randomly sticks us in classes, backup people like her are necessary for social survival. I ask her, “Did you know we’re having an exam today?”
    â€œWow,” she says, “can you believe it?”
    â€œDid the teacher even tell us?” I ask.
    She shrugs. “I don’t know. Should I ask him?”
    I blink at her. “Sure.”
    Mandy puts up her hand. When Mr. Sparks notices, he says, “Yes?”
    â€œUm, Mr. Sparks. Did you, like, warn us about this?”
    He sighs. “Yes, Mandy. I mentioned itseveral times. And it’s been posted on the blackboard for a week.”
    â€œOh. Okay.”
    Mr. Sparks sweeps his gaze around the room, sees that most everyone is settled and starts handing out the exam. I sneak a peek at Kyle, and he looks totally serious, like he’s already focused on his test.
    I have no idea what this exam is about. Periodic table of the elements? Forms of energy? What have we been doing in here anyway? I know what I’ve been doing, and it wasn’t science. Unless a crush is part of biology? The thought makes me giggle, but I cover that up with a cough and scrounge in my purse for a pen. Oh, and some scrap paper too. That’s allowed.
    My hand closes around the wad of paper Rachel gave me. I pull that out along with a pen. Mr. Sparks drops the test on our table and moves on. When everyone has a copy, he says, “All right, class. You’ll have the entire period to write the exam. If you finish before the bell, please remain seated and use that time to review your answers.This counts for twenty percent of your final grade. You may begin.”
    A tense silence descends on the room— the silence that only happens during exams. The only sounds are those of paper shuffling, throats clearing and the scratching of pens. I look at the first question.
    1. Gastric juice is composed of mucus, hydrochloric acid, water and digestive enzymes. The purpose of the mucus is to:
    A. digest proteins into smaller particles
    B. prevent the gastric juice from digesting the stomach
    C. assist the hydrochloric acid with digestion
    D. prevent heartburn from occurring
    I feel sick. Mucus? I didn’t pay attention when Mr. Sparks talked about that stuff. I couldn’t. I mean, who wants to know about mucus? Not me. Isn’t science supposed to be about satisfying curiosity? Who was the geek that was curious about mucus?
    I glance at my wad of paper and realize that
this
makes me curious. What does Rachel’s note say? Judging by the size of it, she had a lot to say.
    I unfold the wad and...what the heck? It looks like the science test. She gave me her test? Where’s the note? I start flipping through the pages, looking on both sides, and I can’t find her note anywhere. And then Mr. Sparks is behind me, peering over my shoulder.
    â€œWell, well,” he says. “Lizzie Lane. This is a surprise.”
    â€œExcuse me?” I say.
    â€œAbsolutely,” he says. His voice gets louder. “You are excused. You may go directly to the principal’s office and wait for me there.”
    â€œUh...why?”
    He snorts. Literally snorts. “The consequences of cheating aren’t obvious?”
    â€œCheating?”
    â€œOh, for pity’s sake! I find you with my exam answer key and