There hadn't been an official rule like this before. Teachers would simply assign the better seats to students with good grades based on their personal preferences.
Juliana Taylor's words sent a ripple of whispers through the classroom. But as the exam papers were handed out, the quiet chatter ceased, and everyone immediately focused on their tests.
When Vera Xavier received her paper, she first gave the questions a quick scan. They covered a broad range of topics and were reasonably difficult. She heard a student in front of her let out a quiet sigh of complaint.
Juliana Taylor announced sternly, "No talking during the exam!"
The classroom immediately fell silent again, filled only with the SCRATCHING of pens on paper.
Vera Xavier got ready to write, but when she took out her fountain pen, she discovered the nib had been split at some point. It was completely useless.
