The morning of my big medical college entrance exam started like a nightmare. I woke up late—way too late—and when I checked my phone, all my alarms were mysteriously turned off. Panic exploded inside me. But then, just when I thought everything was lost, my 8-year-old little brother Jason stepped in with a plan that saved the whole day.
Ever since I was a kid, I dreamed of becoming a doctor. After Mom died from cancer, that dream wasn’t just a wish anymore—it became my mission. I wanted to understand the disease that took her away and help other people fight it too.
That hope pushed me through years of hard work: late nights, endless books, and more exams than I could even count. Today was the day I was supposed to show it all—to prove I was ready to take the next step.
The night before, I did everything I could to make sure I wouldn’t oversleep. I set three alarms on my phone: 6:00 a.m., 6:15 a.m., and 6:30 a.m. I even left my curtains open so the sunlight would wake me gently. As I lay in bed, I thought about Mom and whispered, “I’ll make you proud, Mom. I promise.”
But when I finally opened my eyes the next morning, something felt very wrong. It was too dark—way too dark for the early morning. My heart stopped as I grabbed my phone and saw the time: 9:55 a.m. My exam was starting at 10:00 a.m.!
“No, no, no! This can’t be happening!” I yelled, throwing the blankets off me and scrambling to get dressed. My hands shook as I saw all three alarms on my phone… were turned off.
“I know I set these!” I muttered, panic creeping in faster than I could think. How could this happen?
I rushed down the stairs, half-dressed, my hair a wild mess. “Linda!” I called out, searching the kitchen. “Linda! Please, I need a ride! My exam starts in five minutes!”
Linda—my stepmom—was calmly sipping her coffee. She looked up at me with a cold, raised eyebrow.
“You’re late already,” she said flatly. “Maybe next time, learn how to set an alarm properly.”
“I did set it!” I almost shouted, the panic and frustration burning in my voice. “I triple-checked! All three alarms were on!”
She just shrugged and gave a slight smirk. “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 can you handle something serious—like taking care of patients?”
My face grew hot. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. Did she really just say that? Was she trying to break me?
I turned toward the door, knowing I’d never make it on foot but desperate to try. Just as I reached for the handle, I heard a small voice behind me.
“I know who did it.”
I spun around. It was Jason, my little brother, his voice shaky but his eyes steady and serious.
“Jason? What do you mean?” I asked, confused.
He took a small step forward, staring at Linda with caution. “I saw her. Last night. She went into your room and turned off your alarms.”
Linda’s face tightened. “Jason, stop making up stories,” she hissed.
Jason swallowed hard but didn’t back down. “I’m not lying! I saw you pick up her phone and turn off the alarms. You said she didn’t need to be at that stupid exam anyway.”
My mind whirled. I looked at Linda, waiting for her to deny it, to say it was a mistake. But instead, she sighed and crossed her arms.
“You know what, Emily?” she said, her voice cold and sharp. “Fine. Yes, I did it. You’re not fit to be a doctor. This is a waste of time, energy, and honestly, a waste of my dad’s money.”
I couldn’t help myself. “Like… your beauty salon?” I blurted out.
Linda’s eyes narrowed. I was about to push past her and leave when suddenly, sirens blared outside—loud and urgent, coming closer.
Jason grabbed my hand tightly and gave me a hopeful smile. “Don’t worry, Em. I called for help.”
Linda’s face twisted in disbelief and anger. “You seriously did this?” she spat.
Jason stood tall despite being just a kid. “You’re the bad guy, Linda. Emily is going to be a doctor one day. Mom would be proud of her.”
Linda’s eyes widened in shock just as the front door swung open. Two police officers stepped inside, their faces serious but calm. A tall man spoke first, his voice steady and commanding.
“Is everything alright here?”
Jason didn’t hesitate. “I called you. My sister needs to get to her exam. Linda turned off her alarms so she’d miss it.”
The man’s gaze flicked to Linda, who quickly put on a fake innocent expression.
“This is ridiculous,” she scoffed, crossing her arms. “They’re just kids making up stories because they’re late.”
The other officer, a woman with kind eyes, knelt down to Jason’s level.
“You called us to help your sister?” she asked softly.
Jason nodded. “Yes. Emily studied so hard. She was ready. Linda didn’t want her to take the exam.”
The officers exchanged a look and then turned to me.
“Is this true?” the male officer asked.
I nodded, my voice barely a whisper. “Yes. I have to get there now, or I’ll lose my chance.”
They shared another glance.
“All right, young lady,” said the female officer as she stood. “We’re going to get you there.”
Linda’s face twisted in disbelief. “You’re really going to escort her?” she stammered. “This is absurd!”
The officer ignored her. “It’s our job to help.”
I turned back to Jason, feeling a rush of gratitude. “Thank you, Jason. You saved me.”
He grinned, proud like a little hero.
The officers helped me into their car. With sirens wailing, we sped through traffic, weaving toward the exam center. My heart pounded hard, but now with determination, not panic.
When we arrived, the exam doors were already closed. The officers walked me inside, heads held high.
One proctor looked confused. “The exam has already started,” he said, eyeing the officers.
The female officer explained quickly. “Her alarms were sabotaged. She’s here now. If there’s any way she can take the test, please let her.”
The proctor studied me for a moment, then nodded. “All right. Go on in.”
I found my seat, still shaken but refusing to give up. I closed my eyes for a second and thought of Mom. This was my moment—I wasn’t letting anything take it from me. I picked up my pencil and started the exam.
Hours later, I walked out exhausted but relieved. The officers were gone, but I felt their kindness with me. Jason was waiting on the front steps, jumping up with joy as he saw me.
“Did you make it?” he asked, eyes shining.
I smiled through my tiredness. “I did. Thanks to you.”
He threw his arms around me. “I knew you would.”
Inside, Dad waited with a pale, serious face. Jason took charge, telling him everything.
Dad’s eyes darkened with anger as he looked at Linda, who tried to act calm.
“Is this true?” he demanded.
Linda faltered. “I… I was trying to stop her from making a mistake. I didn’t mean for it to go so far.”
Dad’s voice was cold. “You sabotaged her dreams because of your selfishness. You’re not staying here one more night.”
Linda’s face drained of color. She tried to protest, but Dad shook his head. “Pack your things. This family deserves better.”
Jason and I watched quietly as she left. There was no celebration, only a deep, quiet relief—a justice finally served.