You Won’t Believe What Made Me Oversleep on My College Entrance Exams

A Race Against Time

On the morning of my medical college entrance exam, I woke up late to find that all my alarms were mysteriously turned off. As I hurried to get ready, my 8-year-old brother stepped in with a plan that would save the day.

Since I was young, I dreamed of becoming a doctor. After my mom died of cancer, that dream became even stronger. I wanted to help people like her, learn more about the disease that took her away, and support others in their battles against it.

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

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Last night, I did everything 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 that the sunlight would wake me up. As I lay in bed, I thought of my mom and promised myself that I’d make her proud.

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

“No, no, no! This can’t be happening!” I threw off my blankets and grabbed my phone. All three alarms were turned off.

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“I know I set these!” I muttered, my hands shaking as I got dressed quickly. My mind raced with questions. How did this happen?

I bolted down the stairs, half-dressed, with my hair everywhere. “Linda!” I called out, desperately looking for my stepmom. “Linda, please! I need a ride to the college. My exam is in five minutes!”

She was in the kitchen, sipping her coffee calmly, watching me with a look I couldn’t quite understand. She raised an eyebrow, giving me a look that was as cold as her coffee cup was hot.

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“You’re late already,” she said flatly. “Maybe next time, you should learn to set an alarm properly.”

“I did set them!” I almost shouted, feeling frustrated and panicked. “I triple-checked. They were on, all three of them.”

She shrugged, a slight smirk on her lips. “Clearly, you didn’t. Maybe this is a sign that you’re not cut out for med school. If you can’t even wake up on time, how will you handle something serious, like a patient?”

I stood there, feeling my face grow hot, my mind swirling with disbelief and desperation. This couldn’t be real. My stepmom wouldn’t do this to me, would she?

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I turned toward the door, knowing I’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.

“I know who did it,” my little brother Jason said, his voice shaky but his eyes steady.

I turned, confused. “Jason, what are you talking about?”

He took a small step forward, looking at Linda cautiously. “I saw her. Last night. She turned off your alarms, Emily.”

Linda shot him a sharp look. “Jason, stop making up stories,” she hissed.

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Jason gulped but didn’t back down. “I’m not lying! I saw you go into her room, pick up her phone, and turn off the alarms. You said she didn’t need to be at that stupid exam anyway.”

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

“You know what, Emily?” she said coolly, her voice hardening. “Fine. Yes, I did it. You’re not fit to be a doctor. It’s a waste of time and money that your dad could spend on something worthwhile.”

“Like… your beauty salon?” The words slipped out before I could stop them.

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

Jason, now holding my hand, gave me a small, hopeful smile. “Don’t worry, Em. I called for help.”

Linda’s face hardened as she looked at Jason, who stood by my side. “You seriously did this?” she asked, barely able to speak.

Jason’s small voice cut through the tension. “You are the bad guy, Linda,” he said, his eyes fierce despite his small size. “Emily is going to be a doctor one day. Mom would be proud of her.”

Linda’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.

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The front door opened, and two police officers stepped inside. One of them, a tall man, spoke with calm authority. “Is everything alright here?”

Jason didn’t hesitate. “I called you,” he said, standing tall despite his age. “My sister needs to get to her entrance exam. Linda turned off her alarms so she’d miss it.”

The officer’s eyes moved to Linda, who immediately pretended to be innocent. “This is absurd!” she scoffed, folding her arms. “They’re just children, making things up because they’re late.”

But the other officer, a woman with kind eyes, knelt down to Jason’s level. “You called us to help your sister?” she asked gently.

Jason nodded vigorously. “Yes. Emily studied so hard, and she was ready. Linda turned off her alarms so she’d miss her test.”

The officers exchanged glances, then turned to me. “Is that true?” the male officer asked.

“Yes,” I whispered, feeling the weight of everything settle over me. “I have to get to my college right now, or I’ll lose my chance to take the exam.”

The officers nodded and exchanged another glance. “Alright, young lady,” the female officer said, standing up, “We’re going to get you there.”

Linda’s face twisted with disbelief. “Wait, you’re actually going to escort her?” she stammered, frustration evident in her voice. “This is ridiculous!”

“It’s our job to help people,” the officer replied, coolly dismissing Linda. “Now, if you’ll excuse us.”

I turned to Jason, who was smiling proudly, a little hero in his own right. “Thank you, Jason,” I whispered, hugging him tight. “You saved me.”

As I left with the officers, Linda’s face showed 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.

At the exam center, we arrived 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. “Ma’am, the exam is about to begin,” he said, glancing at the officers.

The policewoman explained quickly. “This young lady had her alarms sabotaged at home, but she’s here now. I understand if you can’t make exceptions, but if there’s any way she can sit for the exam…”

The proctor’s stern face softened as he listened. He looked me in the eyes, as if weighing my sincerity, then gave a brief nod. “Alright. Go on in.”

“Thank you,” I managed, barely believing I’d made it.

I found my seat, still shaken but refusing to let the morning’s events get the best of me. I took a deep breath, closed my eyes for a moment, and thought of my mom. This was my moment, and I wasn’t going to let anyone take it from me. I picked up my pencil and began the test.

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 with every step as I headed home. Jason was waiting on the front steps, and he jumped up as soon as he saw me.

“Did you do it?” he asked eagerly, his eyes bright with hope.

I nodded, a smile breaking out despite my exhaustion. “I did, thanks to you.”

He threw his arms around me. “I knew you could.”

Inside, my dad was waiting. His face was pale, and his mouth was set in a grim line. He had 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.

My dad’s face grew red with anger, his eyes narrowing as he looked over at Linda, who was trying to look calm and unaffected. “Is this true?” he demanded, his voice trembling with restrained fury.

Linda’s eyes darted between us. “I… I was just trying to keep her from a mistake. I didn’t mean for it to go so far,” she mumbled, finally looking cornered.

“You sabotaged her dreams because of your own selfishness,” my dad said coldly. “You’re not staying here another night.”

Linda’s face turned pale as she realized he was serious. She tried to protest, but he shook his head firmly. “Pack your things, Linda. This family deserves better than this.”

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.

Child on a Plane Passed Me a Note and $10 — It Changed My Life

When I got on a flight I didn’t expect to meet someone who’d become an integral part of my life. It all began with a crumpled note with some cash in it, and ended in a happy union that is still going strong!

I wasn’t sure what to expect on that particular flight. To me, it was just another trip back home to see my grandparents, one of many I’d taken over the years. I had my usual routine: board the plane, stow my carry-on, and settle in for a few hours of reading or catching up on emails. But this time, something amazing happened that changed my life forever!

A young man carrying his luggage at the airport | Source: Midjourney

A young man carrying his luggage at the airport | Source: Midjourney

As I boarded the plane, shoved my carry-on in the overhead bin, and settled into my aisle seat, I noticed something that immediately piqued my curiosity… a young middle-school-aged boy, maybe ten or eleven, was seated next to me. I assumed one of his parents or his mother was in the bathroom or something.

But as the plane took off, I realized he was alone. Judging by the way he fidgeted, nervously glancing around the cabin, I could tell he was clearly uncomfortable and this wasn’t something he was used to.

A nervous little boy sitting in his plane seat | Source: Midjourney

A nervous little boy sitting in his plane seat | Source: Midjourney

I tried to mind my own business because when I offered him a small smile, he quickly looked away. Instead, his gaze was glued to the safety card in the seat pocket in front of him. I figured he was just shy, maybe a little overwhelmed by the whole experience, so I left him alone.

I pulled out my phone to check the time. We hadn’t even taken off yet, and already I could sense the tension radiating from him. A few minutes passed before the plane began to taxi down the runway, and that’s when it happened…

A man looking at his phone while aboard a plane | Source: Midjourney

A man looking at his phone while aboard a plane | Source: Midjourney

Without turning to face me, the boy reached out with a trembling hand. His eyes were wide, and without a word, he held out a crumpled piece of paper. When I took the note I noticed it had a ten-dollar bill peeking out.

The boy refused to look me in the eye and just held out the paper until I finally took it. Confused, I took the note, my eyes scanning the neat handwriting. The moment I read the note, I knew I had to contact his mother.

A man reading a note while holding a $10 bill | Source: Midjourney

A man reading a note while holding a $10 bill | Source: Midjourney

The note read:

“Please, if you’re reading this, it means that my son with autism is sitting next to you. He might be nervous and might ask several times how soon the plane is going to land. I am his mom and I am waiting for him at home but will pick him up at the airport when he lands. Please be kind and patient. Here is $10 for your patience. Here is my number if he needs anything.”

A shocked man holding a note and $10 bill | Source: Midjourney

A shocked man holding a note and $10 bill | Source: Midjourney

I felt a lump form in my throat as I read it. I glanced at the boy, who was now staring intently at the seat in front of him, his small hands clenched into fists. The $10 in my hand felt heavy, almost like a weight pressing down on me.

This wasn’t just about a kid on a plane. This was about a mother’s love and a boy who was navigating a world that often felt overwhelming. I knew I couldn’t just pocket the money and sit in silence.

A man deep in thought | Source: Midjourney

A man deep in thought | Source: Midjourney

I frantically searched for my phone. This boy needed someone to be there for him, even if only for a few hours. So, I pulled out my phone, connected to the plane’s Wi-Fi, and texted the number on the note.

“Hi, my name’s Derek. I’m sitting next to your son on the plane. He’s doing just fine, but I wanted to let you know I’m here if he needs anything.”

The response came almost immediately:

“Thank you so much, Derek. He’s had a rough few days, but I know he’ll be okay with you there. Please let him know I’m thinking of him.”

A worried woman texting | Source: Midjourney

A worried woman texting | Source: Midjourney

I turned to the boy, who was still staring straight ahead. “Hey, buddy,” I said gently. “Your mom says hi. She’s thinking of you.”

He glanced at me briefly, his expression softening just a bit, before returning his gaze to the window. It was clear he wasn’t much for conversation, but I wasn’t going to let that stop me. I wanted to make this flight as comfortable as possible for him.

“Do you like airplanes?” I asked, trying to strike up a conversation.

He nodded slightly, still not meeting my eyes.

A little boy staring out a plane's window | Source: Midjourney

A little boy staring out a plane’s window | Source: Midjourney

“Me too,” I said, leaning back in my seat. “I always think it’s cool how we get to travel so high up in the sky. It’s like being in a big metal bird.”

He didn’t respond, but I noticed the tension in his shoulders easing just a little. Encouraged, I decided to take it a step further. I signaled for the flight attendant, intending to use the $10 the boy had given me.

“Can I get a snack for my friend here?” I asked, smiling at the flight attendant.

Two flight attendants servicing passengers | Source: Pexels

Two flight attendants servicing passengers | Source: Pexels

The boy looked up, surprised, when I handed him a bag of pretzels and a soda. “Here you go,” I said, passing the items to him. “I figured you might be hungry.”

He hesitated for a moment before taking the snack, mumbling a quiet “thank you.” It was the first time he’d spoken since we boarded, and I took it as a small victory!

As the flight progressed, I continued to engage him, answering his questions whenever he asked how much longer the flight would be, or whether we were flying over any cool places. I kept my voice calm and reassuring, sensing that it helped ease his nerves.

A happy man talking to someone | Source: Midjourney

A happy man talking to someone | Source: Midjourney

At one point, I decided to snap a quick selfie of us together. I wasn’t looking for anything fancy, just a simple picture to send to his mom. But before taking the shot, I asked my silent companion if he’d mind.

He replied by leaning closer to me so he could fit in the frame. After taking the picture, I showed it to him, and for the first time, he smiled! I must admit, it was a small, tentative smile, but a smile nonetheless! As a then 30-year-old man with no children or much experience with them, I took that as a victory!

A little boy smiling | Source: Midjourney

A little boy smiling | Source: Midjourney

“Can I send this to your mom?” I asked, feeling bolder. He nodded, so I sent it off with a quick message: “He’s doing great. We’re having a good time.”

Her reply was immediate and full of gratitude, and I could tell that she was relieved. I figured she was probably sitting on the edge of her seat, worrying the whole time. It made me realize just how hard this must have been for her to put her son on a plane alone, trusting that a stranger would take care of him.

A happy man texting during a flight | Source: Midjourney

A happy man texting during a flight | Source: Midjourney

By the time we started our descent, the boy was much more relaxed! He was even chatting a little, telling me about his favorite video games and how excited he was to see his mom. It was a complete transformation from the nervous, fidgety kid I’d met at the beginning of the flight!

As we landed and made our way to the gate, he turned to me and asked, “Will you walk with me to get my luggage? I’m supposed to meet my mom there.”

“Of course,” I replied without hesitation. “We’ll find her together!”

A little boy asking for help | Source: Midjourney

A little boy asking for help | Source: Midjourney

We disembarked and made our way through the crowded terminal, and as we approached the baggage claim, I spotted a woman standing anxiously near the carousel. Her eyes were scanning the crowd. The moment she saw her son, the boy who was walking next to me, her face lit up!

She rushed over, pulling him into a tight hug!

“Thank you,” she said to me, her voice thick with emotion. “You have no idea what this means to me.”

A happy woman holding her son | Source: Midjourney

A happy woman holding her son | Source: Midjourney

I smiled, feeling a warmth in my chest that I hadn’t expected. “It was no problem at all,” I said. “He’s a great kid.”

To be honest, she was a gorgeous woman and she looked around my age if not younger. I didn’t know her background with her son but I already liked him and was interested in getting to know her.

She glanced at the boy, then back at me before extending her hand and saying, “I am Diane, he’s Elliot.”

“Nice to officially meet you, Diane and Elliot, I am Derek,” I replied as I shook both their hands.

A man shakes hands with a woman | Source: Midjourney

A man shakes hands with a woman | Source: Midjourney

When I touched Diane’s hand, an electric current shot through me, and before I knew what I was doing I impulsively asked, “Would you like to grab a coffee sometime? As a way for you to thank me?”

It was a simple question, but it caught ME off guard! I hadn’t expected anything more than a brief encounter, but as I looked at her and her son, I felt an inexplicable connection! A sense that this wasn’t just a random meeting.

A happy man and woman talking | Source: Midjourney

A happy man and woman talking | Source: Midjourney

To my surprise, she replied with a smile, “I’d like that.”

As we stood there waiting for Elliot’s luggage, the story behind him flying alone unraveled. Her son had been visiting his dad, her ex-husband, who at the last minute refused to fly back with him and instead put him on the plane alone.

This brave little guy had been on his own, carrying nothing but a note his mom asked him to write and keep and the $10 his father gave him before sending him off.

A man giving a boy money | Source: Midjourney

A man giving a boy money | Source: Midjourney

I knew in my heart that Diane wasn’t a bad mother and as I got to know her better through our long-distance relationship, this was confirmed. Fast forward two years later, and that nervous little boy on the plane is now my stepson!

His mom, my incredible wife, still laughs when she tells people how a simple note and a $10 bill led to the best thing that ever happened to both of us! And that’s how a simple flight changed my life forever!

A happy family of three | Source: Midjourney

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