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“Hurry up, Dyl. We’re on tenterhooks here,” Lulu exclaimed.

Dylan took a deep breath, opened the envelope, and briefly examined the contents. His ice-blue eyes, cold and serious, met my gaze for what seemed an eternity.

How did I do? I wanted to shout. But I couldn’t, the words stuck in my throat.

Dylan’s expression softened, his eyes twinkling with warmth and wicked humor, and he grinned. A rare sight.

“You’re brilliant, Emily. One eight, the rest all nines. Congratulations. The world is your oyster.”

It was as if he’d slapped me.

I sat, stunned as this news permeated my consciousness. I had not expected to do this well.

“Nines are the new A-star. Yes?” Lulu asked.

Dylan nodded.

“Oh my, Emily. That’s amazing.” Lulu gave me a begrudging look of respect. “I only managed five A-stars in my GCSEs.”

“Breathe, Emily, please!” Dylan said with a smile.

I took a deep steadying breath. “Can I see?”

Dylan handed me the letter and I scanned the results.

Exam Results

BoardLevelElementCodeTitleGrd 1

EDEXL/GCGCSE/9FC1MA1HMathematics Option H9

EDEXL/GCGCSE/9FC1MU0Music9

AQAGCSE/9FC8145MCHistory9

AQAGCSE/9FC8202Art and Design (Fine Art)9

AQAGCSE/9FC8461HBiology Tier H9

AQAGCSE/9FC8462HChemistry Tier H9

AQAGCSE/9FC8463HPhysics Tier H9

AQAGCSE/9FC8658HFrench Tier H9

AQAGCSE/9FC8700English Language9

AQAGCSE/9FC8702English Literature9

OCRGCSE/9FCJ282ELatin8

“Your parents would have been very proud,” Dylan murmured.

They would.

My eyes burned suddenly with unshed tears.

I will not cry. I will not cry.