On the morning of my big medical college entrance exam, I woke up late and felt something was very wrong. I reached for my phone, and my heart dropped—9:55 a.m.! The exam was supposed to start at 10:00 a.m. All my alarms were mysteriously turned off.
“No, no, no! This can’t be happening!” I shouted to myself, throwing off my blankets in a panic. I had worked so hard for this moment. Ever since I was a little girl, I dreamed of becoming a doctor.
After Mom died of cancer, that dream only grew stronger. I wanted to help people like her, to understand the disease that had taken her away, and to fight for others.
I had studied for years—late nights, countless books, and more exams than I could count. I prepared everything the night before: I set three alarms on my phone for 6:00 a.m., 6:15 a.m., and 6:30 a.m. I even left my curtains open so the sunlight would help wake me up. I promised myself I would make Mom proud.
But somehow, all my alarms were off. I didn’t understand how this happened. My hands shook as I threw on my clothes in record time, my hair flying everywhere.
I ran down the stairs, calling out, “Linda! Linda, please! I need a ride! My exam starts in five minutes!”
Linda, my stepmom, was sitting in the kitchen, calmly sipping her coffee. She raised an eyebrow and said coldly, “You’re late already. Maybe next time, learn to set your alarms properly.”
“I did set them!” I almost yelled, feeling panic and anger bubble inside me. “I triple-checked. All three alarms were on!”
Linda just shrugged, a smirk on her lips. “Clearly, you didn’t. Maybe this is a sign you’re not cut out for med school. If you can’t even wake up on time, how will you handle real patients?”
Her words hit me like a punch. I felt my face flush with frustration and disbelief. Was she really saying this?
I turned toward the door, knowing there was no way I could run to the exam center on foot, but feeling like I had to try. Just then, I heard a small voice behind me.
“I know who did it.”
I spun around to see my little brother, Jason. He was only eight, but his eyes were steady. “Jason, what are you talking about?” I asked, confused.
Jason took a small step forward and said quietly, “I saw her last night. Linda. She turned off your alarms.”
Linda shot him a sharp look. “Jason, stop making up stories,” she hissed.
But Jason didn’t back down. “I’m not lying! I saw you go into your room, pick up your phone, and turn off all the alarms. You said she didn’t need to go to that stupid exam anyway.”
I stared at Linda, looking for any sign she’d deny it, but she just sighed, folding her arms.
“You know what, Emily?” she said in a cold voice. “Fine. Yes, I did it. You’re not fit to be a doctor. It’s a waste of time, energy, and a lot of money your dad could spend on something better.”
I couldn’t help but blurt out, “Like… your beauty salon?”
Linda’s face twisted with anger, but before she could respond, loud sirens blared outside the house. The sound grew louder and closer.
Jason squeezed my hand and smiled. “Don’t worry, Em. I called for help.”
Linda stared at him in shock. “You seriously did that?”
Jason’s voice was small but firm. “You’re the bad guy, Linda. Emily is going to be a doctor one day. Mom would be proud of her.”
Linda’s face changed to pure rage, but the sirens grew louder. The front door opened, and two police officers stepped inside.
The tall male officer spoke calmly, “Is everything alright here?”
Jason stood tall despite his small size. “I called you. My sister needs to get to her exam. Linda turned off her alarms to make her miss it.”
Linda scoffed, folding her arms. “This is ridiculous. They’re just kids making up stories because they’re late.”
The female officer knelt down to Jason’s level and asked gently, “You called us to help your sister?”
Jason nodded eagerly. “Yes! Emily studied so hard, and Linda tried to stop her.”
The officers looked at each other, then turned to me.
“Is this true?” the male officer asked.
I whispered, “Yes. I have to get to the school right now, or I’ll lose my chance to take the exam.”
The officers nodded. “Alright, young lady. We’re going to get you there.”
Linda looked furious. “Wait, you’re actually going to escort her? This is ridiculous!”
“It’s our job to help people,” the officer said coolly. “Now, if you’ll excuse us.”
I turned to Jason, hugging him tight. “Thank you, Jason. You saved me.”
With the officers by my side, we sped to the exam center, sirens blaring as we weaved through traffic. My heart pounded with hope and determination.
When we arrived, the doors were already closed. One of the exam proctors came over, confused. “Ma’am, the exam has already started.”
The female officer explained quickly, “This young lady’s alarms were sabotaged, but she’s here now. If there’s any way she can still take the exam…”
The proctor looked at me closely, then nodded. “Alright. Go on in.”
“Thank you,” I whispered, barely believing it.
I found my seat, still shaken but focused. I closed my eyes for a moment and thought of Mom. This was my chance. I wasn’t going to let anyone steal it from me. I picked up my pencil and started the test.
Hours later, I walked out, exhausted but relieved. Jason was waiting on the front steps. When he saw me, he jumped up and asked, “Did you make it?”
I smiled tiredly. “I did, thanks to you.”
He threw his arms around me. “I knew you would.”
Inside, Dad waited with a pale face and tight lips. Jason told him everything.
Dad’s anger flared as he looked at Linda. “Is this true?” he demanded.
Linda stammered, “I… I was just trying to keep her from a mistake. I didn’t mean for it to go this far.”
Dad’s voice was cold. “You sabotaged her dreams out of selfishness. You’re not staying here another night.”
Linda turned pale, realizing he meant it. She tried to protest, but Dad shook his head. “Pack your things. This family deserves better.”
Jason and I stood at the door as she left. There was no happiness in it, only relief that justice was done.