The SATs were over, but Goldridge Academy Sweden wasn't done squeezing the nerves out of its students. Everyone sat in the great hall, buzzing, whispering, scrolling on their phones.
When the headmaster walked onto the stage, silence spread like a wave. A screen flickered alive above him, glowing gold and ominous.
"This year's results," he said, "speak louder than any speech I could give."
The Leaderboard
The hall held its breath as the Top 10 appeared, one name at a time.
1. Zion Hale (UK Branch)The entire room gasped, then erupted into chaos. Cheers, groans, jealous laughter. Zion didn't flinch—he just leaned back, arms folded, wearing that half-smirk that said of course it's me.
2. Amara Kingsley (US Branch)Sharp, tense applause. Amara's jaw tightened. Losing to Zion again stung.
3. Elias Noren (Sweden Branch)The Swedish students shouted themselves hoarse. Their pride was intact.
4. Lila Moretti (US Branch)Focused, quiet, but smiling to herself.
5. Marcus Lindgren (Sweden Branch)Another cheer. Sweden wasn't about to be outshone.
6. Mabelle Carter (UK Branch)Gasps everywhere. Mabelle's hands shot up to her mouth as if the number couldn't be real. She turned instantly to Zion, her cheeks glowing. His nod back was subtle, but the pride in his eyes said everything.
7. Jonah Brooks (US Branch)The Americans clapped like crazy, reclaiming some ground.
8. Celeste Duval (UK Branch)The UK corner erupted. Celeste flushed pink but raised her chin, soaking in the validation.
9. Mikey Reyes (UK Branch)The hall lost its mind. Mikey just sat there, stunned, pointing at the screen like it had to be a glitch."No way… me?" he muttered.Celeste squeezed his hand. "Yes, you. And I told you so."
10. Sofia Dahl (Sweden Branch)The locals cheered wildly for their final top-tenner, sealing the balance.
Expulsions
But then the mood shifted.
The leaderboard faded. Red letters appeared on the screen: Expelled Students.
A hush fell over the room.
A boy from the US branch—caught cheating. A girl from Sweden—her score dragging the branch's average to disgrace. And a UK student whose test booklet had been half empty.
The reactions were brutal. One stormed out, blazer flying. Another sat frozen, eyes wet. The third broke into loud, ugly sobs. Their dorms would be cleared by nightfall. Their uniforms collected.
Goldridge didn't believe in mercy.
Gen-Z Chaos
Within minutes, the academy's social feeds exploded:
"Bruh, Mikey cracked the top 10? Plot twist of the year."
"Zion Hale #1 AGAIN. Bro is basically the main character."
"Mabelle smarter than all of us combined, I'm crying."
"Not me screenshotting the expulsion list 👀."
Memes of Zion's calm face went viral in group chats. Mikey's shocked expression instantly became a reaction pic. Mabelle's gasp was already a TikTok sound.
The UK Corner
Back in the dorm, the UK branch was buzzing like a victory parade.
Mabelle clung to Zion's arm, still in awe."You knew, didn't you?" she whispered.Zion chuckled, brushing her cheek. "I always knew. You just needed to believe it."
Mikey sat beside Celeste, still muttering "Top ten" under his breath like a broken record. She only laughed, kissing his cheek. "Believe it now, genius."
Ruthlessness
By sundown, the expelled students were gone—names erased, dorms emptied. The academy didn't stall, didn't forgive. The message was clear:
Excel or vanish.
Zion watched the Stockholm lights through the dorm window that night, Mabelle curled against him.
"The weak won't last here," he murmured.
And Mabelle, softer but steady, whispered back:"But you'll always be on top."