Calvin kept glancing at Maeve . She looked perfectly calm , like none of it mattered . " Alright , " he said . " I'll be the judge . " " Cool . " " Works for me . Maeve and Marlon said it almost at the same time . Marlon grabbed Paper A and smirked . " This one's tougher . I'm not cheating . " Maeve nodded . " Thanks . I'll try my best ." " Mae , you're in your second year , right ? " Calvin said , stopping them . " Yeah , " she answered . He frowned . " Marlon's a senior . If there's stuff on here you haven't learned yet , just skip it . I'll still count it . " Maeve started to say , " No need ," but Marlon cut in , cocky as ever . He shot her a look and smirked . " Just don't cry when I win . " Then the match began . They had one hour because dinner was at six , and Jasper didn't do late meals . No one argued . Marlon sat on the couch , scribbling on the chipped coffee table . Maeve took the dining table , clearly wanting some space , and everyone left her be . They all hovered around Marlon , watching him write like it was nothing . Before the hour was up , Marlon finished . His paper was neat with every question answered . He looked over at Maeve . She was still at it , head tilted , fair skin glowing against the cool gray of the room . Her profile was delicate , almost like a painting . Her hand moved slowly across the page . Chapter 7 288 Vouchers " Two minutes left , " he announced with a sneer , Maeve set down her pen . Everyone held their breath , but Maeve remained calm , handing her paper to Calvin . He barely looked before his eyes went wide with amazement . Her handwriting was beautiful . Marlon shoved his own paper at Calvin , expecting an easy win . Everyone went quiet while Calvin looked through the papers . Even Debra , meant to be in the kitchen , was frozen in place . Boyce looked grim , and Jasper held tight to his pant leg . Both were tense , unsure who to root for . Then Calvin's face went from neutral to puzzled , as if he'd just seen something impossible . Marlon leaned forward , clearly impatient . " What ? Maeve didn't pass ? " Calvin shook his head and handed the paper back . " You lost . " " No way ! " he shouted , his eyes wide in shock . " See for yourself , " Calvin said . Marlon snatched it and stared . Maeve had solved the last two brutal problems three ways . Her handwriting was effortless , almost like she'd done it for fun . " That last one is from last year's college entrance exam . Students called it the ' killer problem '. And she didn't just nail it ; she solved it three ways . Marl , you lost . Fair and square . " Marlon's hands went cold . He glanced up and saw Maeve still smiling , calm as ever . Maeve knew she'd win . Back in her last life , she was untouchable academically ; there was no way she'd lose to a high schooler . " So if we're going by grades to decide who drops out , " she said , " Marl's behind me . " Calvin hesitated . " Well ... " Chapter 7 1283 Mouchers Maeve put on her best sorry - not - sorry voice . " Oops . Sorry , Marl . Looks like I just stole your spot . Cal , go find Finn . We've got the tuition problem solved . " Marlon was still recovering when her words hit like a second punch . He nearly choked . " I'm not dropping out ! " Maeve blinked , all innocence . " But you just lost . " He was lost for words . Then she added , sweet and sharp , " Wait , are you thinking of bringing Rosalind back so she can drop out instead ? " " Absolutely not ! " he growled . In his head , he was screaming , " This damn woman ! " At first , he'd just disliked her . Now he wanted to strangle her . Maeve smiled . " Relax , I'm kidding . Don't get all serious . I'm still going to Harrowden High , and the Crowleys already paid my tuition for all three years . As for Finn's tuition , I'll figure it out . " Boyce's eyes lit up . Debra looked like she'd just won the lottery . " Really , Mae ?" " Really , " Maeve reassured them . Debra laughed happily . If she meant it , they might finally clear the debt . They'd treated Rosalind like their own , but her tuition had been a heavy burden . As for Finnick's tuition , Debra didn't take Maeve's promise too seriously . Maeve turned to Calvin . " Let's go find Finn before something happens . " Calvin gave a gentle smile . " Yeah , let's go ." Debra felt a weight lift off her shoulders . " Come back soon . I'll start making dinner ." Then Maeve and Calvin went out . Chapter 7 *** 1280 Mouchers They lived in Sunnydale Apartments , next to a quiet construction site . The area was quiet and felt deserted . Calvin walked beside her . " Marl's not a bad kid . He just really cares about Rosa . Don't take it personally . "