All Chapters of The Wrong Bus: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

10 Chapters

Chapter 1

"Finley, you can't get on the bus! I just realized your test center is in Eastbrook! Both buses from our class are headed to Westhaven!"On the morning of the SAT, I had barely stepped onto the charter bus when someone yanked me back off.Lewis Sutton didn't hold back. The force sent me stumbling into a utility pole.Ignoring the pain, I hurried to the front of the buses and checked the destination signs. Both clearly read: Westhaven.I held out my hand to Lewis. "The buses are about to leave. Why are you only noticing this now? Let me see the test center schedule."His eyes started to redden. "I forgot it at home.""You forgot something that important?" I stared at him, my voice rising despite myself. "If you forgot the schedule, then how did you figure out my test center was different from everyone else's?"Lewis took two steps back and bit down stubbornly on his lip.Then, all of a sudden, he raised his voice, "I'm sorry! I'm so sorry! This is all my fault! You'd be right to

Chapter 2

"Actually, I realized something was wrong around 3 a.m., but I was so exhausted that I accidentally fell asleep. That's why I only remembered now."I'm sorry. I shouldn't have fallen asleep..."Impressive.In just a few sentences, Lewis had already turned himself into the victim.That tactic didn't work on me, but it was even more effective than tears when it came to Cerys and the others.She turned to him and spoke gently, "How are you supposed to do well on the exam if you don't sleep? This was Finley's responsibility in the first place. Helping him was kind of you, but you can't sacrifice your own future for it."Lewis's eyes immediately reddened.Cerys frowned with concern, then pulled me aside and whispered, "Finley, you're so spoiled. You're selfish, and you have no consideration for other people. Honestly, I can't imagine what it would be like to marry someone like you."I'm making this clear right now. My family doesn't want me to marry someone who acts like an entitled

Chapter 3

I took a deep breath and quickly picked up my phone.The screen was black, and the display was completely shattered."You did that on purpose?" I narrowed my eyes and looked up at Lewis.He immediately jerked his hand back and shrank away. "I... I was only trying to apologize..."Cerys rushed over and pulled him behind her. "What are you making a fuss about now? He came over to apologize out of kindness. You didn't hold it properly yourself, and now you're blaming him? When did you become so mean?"She shouted the accusation angrily at me, and the surrounding students quickly gathered around."You're getting worse and worse. You couldn't hold onto your own phone, and now you're blaming someone else.""Maybe the test center issue was the same thing.""Mrs. Williamson already posted the electronic version of the assignments in the class group chat before Lewis organized anything. Someone as petty as Finley definitely saw it. He probably knew his test center was different from our

Chapter 4

"No wonder he's always picking on Lewis, and now he's even causing trouble over the test center arrangements. He's obviously jealous that Cerys and Lewis are so close.""He's just bitter. Otherwise, why would he keep targeting Lewis?""This is the SAT. Even if the Rutledges have money, he can't mess around with the future of our entire class."The whispers reached my ears one after another, and every word made my chest tighten.In their eyes, everything was my fault from beginning to end, but if I kept arguing, I'd only end up ruining my own future too.Without another word, I turned and headed toward the street to hail a cab.I'd barely taken a step when Lewis cried out behind me, "Finley, don't go! My parents taught me never to owe anyone anything! I have nothing left now. The only thing I can do is give you my old phone!"A loud crash sounded behind me.Lewis had smashed his own phone....I turned around.Lewis was crouched on the ground, staring at the shattered screen

Chapter 5

When the exam papers were handed out, my hands were still shaking, and my palms were slick with sweat.I rubbed them hard against my pants before finally drying them off.After taking several deep breaths, I could vaguely hear Mrs. Williamson still shouting outside."Just because Lewis said Westhaven, you all went to Westhaven? Have you lost your minds? He's not even a class officer! Since when does he have the authority to make those decisions?"I posted everyone's test centers in the group chat! Not one of you checked it. You all just believed him? Enough! What's done is done. Why are you even here now? The gates are already closed. No one's getting in!""Crying won't help! Do you think I don't want to cry too?"One of the exam proctors stepped outside after hearing the commotion. A few minutes later, everything finally quieted down.I licked my lips and forced myself to focus entirely on the exam.By the time the first exam ended, my palms were still damp when I turned in my

Chapter 6

Since everyone was assigned to Eastbrook High School, the route should have been exactly the same.The only difference should have been whether I traveled there in my family's car or on the charter bus with everyone else. It made no difference to me.However, right before boarding, Lewis suddenly claimed that my test center was in Eastbrook while everyone else's was in Westhaven.I was stunned, not because he'd gotten my test center wrong, but because I'd assumed both buses were heading to Eastbrook in the first place.Nevertheless, the destination signs clearly read: Westhaven.That was when I understood that he'd done it on purpose.He wanted me to be the odd one out so I'd be separated from the group. He wanted me to make my own way to the test center while everyone else rode the buses together.The only problem was that Eastbrook and Westhaven had gotten mixed up in his head.Once I figured it out, I didn't want to waste any more energy arguing. After all, the SAT was far m

Chapter 7

"Who knew he was stupid enough to mix up Eastbrook and Westhaven?""Exactly! The only reason we agreed was that you said you'd cover the cost of both buses!""The two of you worked together to convince us it would save time and let us focus on studying. Now we've lost an entire exam subject, and suddenly neither of you wants to take responsibility?"Cerys's face flushed red then paled, and her lips moved several times.After a long pause, she could only say, "He didn't do it on purpose. He just made a mistake. Do you really have to go this far? He feels worse about this than any of you do."Lewis struggled to his feet. Tears covered his face, and his voice was hoarse."I'm sorry, everyone... This is all my fault... I really did read it wrong. I thought our entire class was assigned to Westhaven..."I yawned and cut him off lazily, "You thought the whole class was assigned to Westhaven? Then why did you single me out?"Or was it because you knew everyone had the same test center

Chapter 8

Now that the truth was out, everyone had turned their anger on Lewis, yet not a single one of them stepped forward to apologize to me.For the afternoon math exam, I arrived at the test center ten minutes early.Most of my classmates were there even earlier. Some of them probably hadn't gone home at all.Just before the doors opened, Cerys ran over. "Finley, wait."I glanced at her from the corner of my eye.She swallowed hard before lowering her voice. For the first time, there was a hint of pleading in her tone."Finley, could you help us talk to the people in charge? You're the only one from our class who actually got into the exam this morning."Please explain that we were misled. We didn't do it on purpose. If you put in a few good words for us, maybe they'll make an exception and let us retake the first exam."I gripped my backpack strap and let out a sneer. "Cerys, wasn't it you who said this morning that I shouldn't end up at the same university as you and Lewis?"Cong

Chapter 9

"I've already called the Department of Education. They said they'll investigate. But what good is an investigation? Will it give my child their score back?"Mrs. Williamson forced a smile and apologized over and over again.Nevertheless, the parents were right. An investigation wouldn't help, and neither would an apology.As the argument continued, one of the parents suddenly asked, "Where's Lewis? My child said all of this happened because of Lewis!"Lewis was huddled beside one of the buses. His mother, who was dressed in worn, outdated clothes, had an arm around his shoulders. Both of them were crying.A few yards away stood Cerys. Mr. Moore was beside her, furiously scolding her.Several parents immediately marched over and pointed at her."You're the girl who kept defending Lewis, aren't you? You two were in this together!""My child told me that if they couldn't get into college, your family promised to pay for them to study abroad. Then put it in writing right now. If we

Chapter 10

"Finley, congratulations. I heard you did really well on the exam," Mr. Moore said as he tried to step inside.My mother came out from the living room, took one look at them, and made no move to let them in.Left standing at the door, Mr. Moore forced a smile."Mrs. Rutledge, I'm here about the children. Cerys said some ridiculous things before, but she's young and didn't know any better. None of it should be taken seriously."The engagement should stay as it is. The two of them grew up together. We can't let a moment of impulsiveness ruin their futures...""That's not quite right, Mr. Moore." My father emerged from his study. "It was Cerys who personally called off the engagement. She also said she wanted to cut off all business ties between our families. And now you're saying everything should go back to normal?"The smile on Mr. Moore's face stiffened."She was immature. Besides, our business relationship wasn't affected in the end, was it?"My father let out a cold laugh. "

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