I Overslept on the Morning of My Crucial College Entrance Exams Because Someone Turned off My Alarm

Ever since I was little, I dreamed of becoming a doctor. When my mom died of cancer, that dream only grew stronger. I wanted to help people like her, to understand the disease that had taken her and to help others fight it.

A dreaming woman | Source: Pexels

A dreaming woman | Source: Pexels

I worked for this moment for years, through late nights, countless books, and more exams than I could count. Today, all that work was about to pay off: it was finally the day of my medical entrance exam.

Last night, I did everything to make sure I wouldnโ€™t oversleep. I set three alarms on my phoneโ€”6:00 a.m., 6:15 a.m., and 6:30 a.m. I even left my curtains open so that the sunlight would wake me up. As I lay in bed, I thought of my mom, promising myself Iโ€™d make her proud.

A sleeping woman | Source: Pexels

A sleeping woman | Source: Pexels

When I opened my eyes the next morning, something felt wrong. It was dark, too dark. I reached for my phone, and my heart stoppedโ€”9:55 a.m. My exam started at 10:00.

โ€œNo, no, no! This canโ€™t be happening!โ€ I threw my blankets off and grabbed my phone. All three alarms were turned off.

โ€œI know I set these!โ€ I muttered, my hands shaking as I got dressed in record time. My mind raced with questions. How did this happen?

A shocked woman in her bed | Source: Pexels

A shocked woman in her bed | Source: Pexels

I bolted down the stairs, half-dressed, my hair flying everywhere. โ€œLinda!โ€ I called out, desperately looking for my stepmom. โ€œLinda, please! I need a ride to the college. My exam is in five minutes!โ€

She was in the kitchen, sipping her coffee calmly, her eyes following me with a look I couldnโ€™t quite place. She raised an eyebrow, giving me a look that was as cold as her coffee cup was hot.

A woman sipping coffee | Source: Pexels

A woman sipping coffee | Source: Pexels

โ€œYouโ€™re late already,โ€ she said flatly. โ€œMaybe next time, you should learn to set an alarm properly.โ€

โ€œI did set them!โ€ I almost shouted, feeling the sting of frustration and panic in my voice. โ€œI triple-checked. They were on, all three of them.โ€

An angry woman | Source: Pexels

An angry woman | Source: Pexels

She shrugged, a slight smirk on her lips. โ€œClearly, you didnโ€™t. Maybe this is a sign that youโ€™re not cut out for med school, hmm? If you canโ€™t even manage to wake up on time, how will you handle something serious, like a patient?โ€

I stood there, feeling my face grow hot, my mind swirling with disbelief and desperation. This couldnโ€™t be real. My stepmom wouldnโ€™t do this to me, would she?

An angry woman in a red T-shirt | Source: Pexels

An angry woman in a red T-shirt | Source: Pexels

I turned toward the door, knowing Iโ€™d never make it on foot but feeling I had to try. Just as I reached for the handle, I heard a small voice behind me.

โ€œI know who did it,โ€ my little brother Jason said, his voice shaking with nervousness but his eyes steady.

I turned, confused. โ€œJason, what are you talking about?โ€

A young boy | Source: Pexels

A young boy | Source: Pexels

He took a small step forward, looking at Linda cautiously. โ€œI saw her. Last night. She turned off your alarms, Emily.โ€

Linda shot him a sharp look. โ€œJason, stop making up stories,โ€ she hissed.

Jason gulped but didnโ€™t back down. โ€œIโ€™m not lying! I saw you go into her room, pick up her phone, and turn off the alarms. You said she didnโ€™t need to be at that stupid exam anyway.โ€

A serious boy | Source: Pexels

A serious boy | Source: Pexels

My mind was spinning. I looked at Linda, searching her face for denial, for any sign sheโ€™d say it was a misunderstanding. But she just sighed, crossing her arms.

โ€œYou know what, Emily?โ€ she said coolly, her voice hardening. โ€œFine. Yes, I did it. Youโ€™re not fit to be a doctor. Itโ€™s a waste of time, energy, and, frankly, a lot of money that your dad could spend on something worthwhile.โ€

โ€œLikeโ€ฆ your beauty salon?โ€ The words came out before I could stop them.

An angry middle-aged woman | Source: Freepik

An angry middle-aged woman | Source: Freepik

Just as I was about to push past her and leave, I heard sirens in the distance, getting louder, heading toward our house.

Jason, now clutching my hand, gave me a small, hopeful smile. โ€œDonโ€™t worry, Em. I called for help.โ€

Lindaโ€™s face hardened as she looked at Jason, who stood at my side, clutching my hand. โ€œYou seriously did this?โ€ she asked, barely able to form the words.

The police sirens | Source: Pexels

The police sirens | Source: Pexels

Jasonโ€™s small voice cut through the tension. โ€œYou are the bad guy, Linda,โ€ he said, his eyes fierce despite his small frame. โ€œEmily is going to be a doctor one day. Mom would be proud of her.โ€

Lindaโ€™s face twisted, and before she could say anything, the wailing sirens outside grew louder. I watched her look toward the window, her eyes widening with surprise.

The front door opened, and two police officers stepped inside. One of them, a tall, broad man, spoke with a calm authority. โ€œIs everything alright here?โ€

A policeman on duty | Source: Pexels

A policeman on duty | Source: Pexels

Jason didnโ€™t miss a beat. โ€œI called you,โ€ he said, standing tall despite his young age. โ€œMy sister needs to get to her entrance exam. Linda turned off her alarms so sheโ€™d miss it.โ€

The officerโ€™s eyes moved to Linda, who immediately put on an innocent act. โ€œThis is absurd!โ€ she scoffed, folding her arms. โ€œTheyโ€™re just children, making things up because theyโ€™re late.โ€

But the other officer, a woman with kind eyes, knelt down to Jasonโ€™s level. โ€œYou called us to help your sister?โ€ she asked gently.

A serious policewoman | Source: Pexels

A serious policewoman | Source: Pexels

Jason nodded vigorously. โ€œYes. Emily studied so hard, and she was ready. Linda turned off her alarms so sheโ€™d miss her test.โ€

The officers exchanged a glance, then turned to me. โ€œIs that true?โ€ the male officer asked.

โ€œYes,โ€ I whispered, feeling the weight of everything settle over me. โ€œI have to get to my college right now, or Iโ€™ll lose my chance to take the exam.โ€

A shocked woman | Source: Pexels

A shocked woman | Source: Pexels

The officers nodded, exchanging another glance. โ€œAlright, young lady,โ€ the female officer said, standing up, โ€œWeโ€™re going to get you there.โ€

Lindaโ€™s face contorted with disbelief. โ€œWait, youโ€™re actually going to escort her?โ€ she stammered, her voice full of frustration. โ€œThis is ridiculous!โ€

โ€œItโ€™s our job to help people,โ€ the officer replied, coolly dismissing Linda. โ€œNow, if youโ€™ll excuse us.โ€

A serious policeman | Source: Pexels

A serious policeman | Source: Pexels

I turned to Jason, who was smiling proudly, a little hero in his own right. โ€œThank you, Jason,โ€ I whispered, hugging him tight. โ€œYou saved me.โ€

As I left with the officers, Lindaโ€™s face was a mix of fury and disbelief. The officers helped me into their squad car, and we sped down the road with the sirens blaring, weaving through traffic as we approached the college. My heart pounded in my chest, but this time, it was with determination.

A police car in the city | Source: Pexels

A police car in the city | Source: Pexels

At the exam center, we pulled up just minutes before the doors were set to close. The officers stepped out with me, guiding me toward the entrance.

One of the proctors noticed us and approached, looking confused. โ€œMaโ€™am, the exam is about to begin,โ€ he said, glancing at the officers.

The policewoman explained quickly. โ€œThis young lady had her alarms sabotaged at home, but sheโ€™s here now. I understand if you canโ€™t make exceptions, but if thereโ€™s any way she can sit for the examโ€ฆโ€

A policewoman talking | Source: Pexels

A policewoman talking | Source: Pexels

The proctorโ€™s stern face softened as he listened. He looked me in the eyes, as if weighing my sincerity, then gave a brief nod. โ€œAlright. Go on in.โ€

โ€œThank you,โ€ I managed, barely believing Iโ€™d made it.

I found my seat, still rattled but refusing to let the morningโ€™s events get the better of me. I took a deep breath, closed my eyes for a second, and thought of my mom. This was my moment, and I wasnโ€™t going to let anyone take it from me. I picked up my pencil and began the test.

A young woman writing an exam | Source: Pexels

A young woman writing an exam | Source: Pexels

Hours later, I walked out of the exam room, exhausted but relieved. The officers who had helped me were gone, but I felt their kindness in every step as I headed home. Jason was waiting on the front steps, and he jumped up as soon as he saw me.

โ€œDid you do it?โ€ he asked eagerly, his eyes bright with hope.

I nodded, a smile breaking out despite my exhaustion. โ€œI did, thanks to you.โ€

A young smiling woman | Source: Freepik

A young smiling woman | Source: Freepik

He threw his arms around me. โ€œI knew you could.โ€

Inside, my dad was waiting. His face was pale, his mouth set in a grim line. Heโ€™d been waiting for me to come home to hear everything. Jason took the lead, explaining every detail of what had happened while I was gone.

A smiling young boy | Source: Unsplash

A smiling young boy | Source: Unsplash

My dadโ€™s face grew red with anger, his eyes narrowing as he looked over at Linda, who was trying to look calm and unaffected. โ€œIs this true?โ€ he demanded, his voice trembling with restrained fury.

Lindaโ€™s eyes darted between us. โ€œIโ€ฆ I was just trying to keep her from a mistake. I didnโ€™t mean for it to go so far,โ€ she mumbled, finally looking cornered.

โ€œYou sabotaged her dreams because of your own selfishness,โ€ my dad said coldly. โ€œYouโ€™re not staying here another night.โ€

An angry man | Source: Pexels

An angry man | Source: Pexels

Lindaโ€™s face turned pale as she realized he was serious. She tried to protest, but he shook his head firmly. โ€œPack your things, Linda. This family deserves better than this.โ€

Jason and I stood by the door, watching as she finally left. There was no satisfaction in it, just a sense of justice and relief.


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