Chapter 158 Why is Isabella Among Them?
"Kellan is the calligraphy teacher for the international program." Isabella glanced at the registration form and put it back down.
"A calligraphy teacher from the international program - what does he want with you?"
"To sign up for the calligraphy competition."
Violet patted Isabella on the shoulder, very pleased. "Well, this teacher has a good eye. Your English handwriting is beautiful - it would be a shame not to enter the competition."
Isabella smiled but said nothing.
The next day.
Bianca and Abigail were heading to the classroom when someone called out from behind, "Bianca."
Bianca turned around and saw it was Claire Murphy. "What's up?"
Claire said, "Guess what I just saw at Mr. Hawthorne's office?"
"What?"
"Your sister actually filled out a registration form for the calligraphy competition too!"
Bianca froze, somewhat in disbelief. "You mean... Isabella?"
"I don't think I saw wrong," Claire said. "Class 11, Isabella! Her registration form was right there on Mr. Hawthorne's desk!"
She found it strange. "Isn't your sister in the regular program? How did she get a registration form for the calligraphy competition?"
Bianca shook her head, a bit dazed. "I don't know."
Only the international program offered calligraphy classes, so logically the registration forms would only be distributed in the international program. The form just represented a student's personal interest in participating - filling it out was required to enter the selection process, but it didn't guarantee being chosen.
But if you wanted to be chosen, you first had to fill out the form.
This meant Isabella also wanted to be selected.
Abigail laughed. "What was Isabella thinking? Actually going to Mr. Hawthorne to get a registration form for the calligraphy competition? Does she think just filling it out means she can compete?"
Evelyn covered her mouth and laughed too. "Is something wrong with her brain?"
"If something was wrong with her brain, how would she even know about the calligraphy competition and think to specifically ask Mr. Hawthorne for a registration form?"
Abigail smirked. "There are only seven spots for the two international program classes. Mr. Hawthorne said that for fairness, he'll directly select the seven students with the highest average scores in calligraphy class to compete. Isabella is from the regular program - she's never even taken calligraphy class, yet she still wants to participate."
Bianca took a deep breath.
Although Isabella submitting a registration form was indeed unexpected.
But Isabella not being selected would definitely be expected.
Thinking this, Bianca exhaled and didn't take it to heart. "Don't talk about her like that. Sister is just trying to give herself a chance."
Even though the chance was zero, the courage was admirable.
The group returned to the classroom, and Claire asked again, "By the way, Bianca, when I was counting the registration forms just now, I noticed yours didn't seem to be there. Did I miss it?"
Bianca shook her head. "I didn't fill out a registration form."
"Why not? Bianca, your calligraphy class score is the highest. Aren't you planning to compete?"
Bianca smiled. "I have a recommendation letter from Alaric. I can enter the competition directly."
As soon as she said this, it immediately attracted everyone's attention.
"Did I hear that right? Did Bianca just say she has... a recommendation from Alaric?"
"Alaric is a famous English calligrapher!"
"Bianca, why would Alaric specifically write you a recommendation? Do you know him?"
Bianca pressed her lips together, a bit embarrassed. "I'm his student."
Everyone was stunned.
"No wonder Bianca's English handwriting is so good - she's Alaric's student."
"With a teacher like Alaric, you'll definitely have a bright future in calligraphy!"
"Exactly. What kind of status does Alaric have? I heard one of his pieces can sell for hundreds of thousands of dollars!"
Under everyone's amazed and envious gazes, Bianca smiled modestly and looked toward Sofia Moore sitting in the first row.
"Sofia, since I'm participating through Mr. Kingsley's recommendation, I won't take up one of the school's spots. I remember your calligraphy class average ranking is eighth - with me out, you'll move up and be selected."
Sofia was immediately excited when she heard this.
Right - if Bianca didn't take a spot, then she could participate!
"Thank you, Bianca, you're so good!"
Sofia looked at Bianca gratefully.
Everyone sighed at how considerate Bianca was of her classmates.
"Bianca is such a good person! She's so kind!"
"How can there be such a beautiful and thoughtful girl? If I were a boy, I'd definitely like her!"
Bianca loved the feeling of being surrounded by everyone.
It was at times like these that she could vividly sense how Isabella was being crushed under her foot, barely surviving.
So what if Isabella was the real daughter of the Taylor Family?
The whole world revolved around her, Bianca!
——
However, on Friday afternoon, cold water was thrown in Bianca's face.
Kellan had Claire announce the list of participants for the calligraphy competition, and Isabella's name was prominently on it.
Her name was sandwiched among a group of international program students - out of place, yet so eye-catching.
As soon as this list was released, both international program classes erupted in discussion.
Some people would curiously ask why Isabella was on it. More people showed expressions of disbelief.
The smile that had been on Bianca's face for several days disappeared in an instant.
She couldn't understand why Isabella would be on the calligraphy competition list.
"Is it really Isabella? That Isabella from the regular program? The one who's first in the grade?"
People all around were discussing this.
Bianca looked at the list repeatedly - there in black and white was indeed the name "Isabella."
"Why?"
"Isn't Isabella in the regular program? She's never even taken calligraphy class. Since when can people from the regular program get mixed into our international program list?"
"Is it because Isabella got first place on the exam?"
"That's ridiculous. What does getting first on an exam have to do with a calligraphy competition? Do good grades give you bonus points? Writing characters and writing on test papers are two different things."
"I don't know why, but seeing her name makes me feel like our international program privileges are being threatened. We didn't pay thirty thousand dollars a year in tuition for nothing - why should our international program resources be given to people from the regular program?"
Calligraphy class was only for the international program - of course they needed to draw a clear line from those ordinary people in the regular program.
Yet Sofia, whose calligraphy class average ranked eighth, couldn't get a spot to compete, but the spot went to someone from the regular program instead. Everyone was furious.
When Sofia learned the news, she lay on her desk crying, because she had told her family in advance that she could participate in the calligraphy competition. Her family was very happy and specially called all their relatives to go to a restaurant to celebrate.
Now the hope was dashed, and she didn't know how to explain it to her family when she got home.
Her mother had always hoped she could pursue further studies in calligraphy and painting, so she was always very serious and worked hard in calligraphy class. But reality told her that her efforts were wasted - her achievement was stolen by someone who had never even taken calligraphy class.