I Refused to Let Them Fail

Author: Melissa Everett

Chapter 6: The Final Countdown and First Love

Time was running out. Even the jokesters buckled down. Everyone raced against the clock, squeezing out every possible point for the exam. I rarely interrupted them—no more pep talks needed. Sometimes, I’d just watch them and think. I bought a camera, snapping photos during class or study hall. Sometimes, when students caught me, they’d flash a peace sign or make a funny face. I cherished every shot.

Midterms.

Class average: 1100. Sixty percent hit state-college range. The girl landed in the top one percent statewide. The boy hit State U’s typical range. I celebrated with cupcakes and a class photo.

Three days until the exams.

I wiped the countdown off the whiteboard, carefully wrote a big “3.”

"Class, only three days left."

I turned, smiling at them. The room was silent. This time, every head was up, looking at me. Their eyes were bright, full of anticipation.

"These three days, rest well and stay calm. I believe you’re ready. Even if you’re not, I know you won’t have regrets—you gave it your all. You didn’t let your eighteen-year-old selves down. You didn’t let senior year down. You didn’t let your youth down. You can proudly tell yourselves: I’m awesome! Who cares about the AP class—you’ve already won!"

Exam days.

A blazing hot weekend. But every student’s eyes shone with hope. I handed out extra water bottles and granola bars, pacing the halls like a nervous parent.

This year’s math was brutal—many students cried after the test. I ran to the classroom to comfort them, but they’d already figured it out.

"Didn’t finish—too bad."

"Hey, still better than turning in a blank."

"Yeah, you’re right."

…

The words caught in my throat. My students—so proud. I wiped my eyes and smiled.

I checked in with the leads.

"How’d it go?"

"Alright. Didn’t nail the last two questions," the girl frowned.

Wow, so the rest was fine. Not bad! I gave her a thumbs up. I knew she’d done her best.

"Should get 700," the boy said calmly.

Damn, also good. I patted his shoulder, encouraging him.

"Focus on English for the last day. Good luck."

I squeezed the girl’s shoulder, too.

"You, too. You’re making me proud!"

They both smiled at me. I felt like the luckiest teacher in the world.

The exam ended. That night, I took the class for a night hike up Silver Ridge. I’d arranged for tents, food, and drinks at the top. Once we arrived, we sprawled out, eating and chatting. Sitting on the peak, we watched the stars fade as dawn broke—the golden sun leaping from the distant hills, purple, pink, and red clouds mixing in the sky.

I stood at the edge, shouting, "I’m proud of you!"

I called them over.

"Happy eighteenth birthday!"

"That test was nothing!"

"The SAT’s nothing!"

"I think so, too!"

"Ahhhh!"

Everyone yelled and laughed. I stood aside, grinning. The girl, gathering her courage, shouted, "Mason, I like you!"

The whole class went quiet, all eyes on her. She blushed, frozen in place.

The boy chuckled, walked over, took her hand, interlaced their fingers, and kissed her hand. Smiling, he said, "Callie, Mason likes you even more."

"Ooooh!"

The class erupted.