On hearing those words, Sophia heart completely deflated like a balloon. "What?" She said weakly. All her world was practically crashing down on her. So, all her efforts were in vain. She had never felt these depressed than ever before.
Although the teacher kept talking, she could only hear echoes as her mind was very far away. Was all her research wrong all these times? Does it mean I am only useful for my body? Why is the world so cruel to her? Tears began to slowly form in her eyes.
"Sophia, Sophia, are you with me?" The biology teacher asked concerned. Sophia nodded silently, afraid that if she says a word, her welling emotions would burst out. "Alright, you can resume your break. Remember, you are doing great, please don't stop what you do best." Like any other words, it passed through Sophia's ears as she made her way to the lab's exit.
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
Two hours after the break, the teacher that was supposed to teach the grade nine class took a sick leave, leaving the class free to do anything they wanted. Normally it was at this time everyone would chat away happily, Sophia included.
However, this time, Sophia sat on her hear looking appearing sullen and dejected. Jessica and Katie surrounded her seat trying to cheer her up.
"Mr Mark is blind. He simply could not see how great your research was. Even I personally read it and I was like, wow" Jessica consoled. "Of course, why would he see them, he ended up being a teacher after all", Katie added. They continued bantering, making various attempts to cheer Sophia, but she remained unmoved.
These feelings—she had felt these feelings before. A feeling of dejection, of a broken heart. It was the day she realized her father only wanted her to boost his reputation. She felt useless and lonely.
Jessica's face turned solemn. "Sophia, I'm saying this with all my heart. You are great, and by great, I mean you are very special. Out of all these people here, you are the prettiest of all, but unlike the unproclaimed queens in this school, you didn't let it get into your head. Instead, you focused on using your big brain to prove yourself. That is something very, very few people would be able to do, but you did.
"You are very special Sophia, and I, we are very lucky to have you as our friend. Don't let an almost retired and redundant teacher tell you your worth okay?"
Sophia then moved her head and faced Jessica and Katie, who wore an expectant and solemn face. The emotions Sophia had been bottling up finally poured out. She silently sobbed, her body shaking vigorously. Jessica went over and hugged her friend, gently tapping her back in an attempt to console her. "It's all right. Let it all out, it's fine", Jessica said softly.
After five minutes of crying, Sophia suddenly stopped and cleaned her face. "Oh my god, my face is ruined", Sophia said and laughed sadly. "I have make-up in my bag to fix you up. Hold on, let me take it out", Jessica said and hurriedly fiddled with her bag, then she brought out a make-up kit.
"Don't worry, we'll fix you up. Luckily this is my speciality", Katie said smiling as she took the make-up kit from Jessica and began applying them to Sophia's face professionally.
It didn't take long for Sophia's face to be restored to its former glory, or it should be said that it was even better.
Sophia stared at herself in the mirror and smiled weakly. "Thank you, guys, I feel better now". Sophia sniffed as she beamed at her two best friends. Jessica waved it off casually. "It's nothing. We are doing it for a friend in distress, that's all", she said as she curled her lips.
"Well, you guys are the best. I love you all", Sophia said as her heart warmed at their kindness. "We love you too Sophia. Now, since you are sad, we should go to that restaurant right after school. Food cheers the depressed as the saying goes" Katie suggested with a raised brow.
Sophia laughed heartily. "I'm not sure that you are doing it for me. We know you, Katie." This caused everyone to burst out laughing.
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
After the bell rang for closing, Sophia packed the documents she wanted to show to her biology teacher if he had accepted her previous research. So, what if it wasn't sent to the school board? She could just ask her mom to post this on her social media handle, it would still work, right?
Although Sophia knew her findings might not be a quick success, it still hurt her to experience it. Well, as they say, the path to success is very crooked, and the path to failure is tarred smooth, but it's only the brave that would transverse the path to success, even if it's would be difficult.
As Sophia was pondering, someone came into her field of vision. She was forced to focus her eyes on the person, and it turned out to be Daniel.
"Daniel, what is this? Are you trying to block my way?" Sophia asked giving him a stabbing glare. This made Daniel shudder a little, but he kept his demeanour firm. "Sophia, we need to talk", he said with a slightly deeper tone.
"There's nothing to talk about", Sophia said dismissively as she made her way to the exit but was blocked again. "Please Sophia, just hear me out", Daniel pleaded, but this time, with his real voice.
Straight away, she felt a headache coming on. Why would this clown appear anytime she desperately needed her rest? "You have thirty seconds", Sophia said coldly.
Daniel's expression turned solemn. "What happened? Why are you treating me like an outcast? Is there anything I did that I didn't know about? If it was about the cafeteria incident, I've already said I'm sorry…" Sophia interrupted him. "No Daniel, it's not you at all, it's me. You did absolutely nothing wrong. I'm just groggy that's all. I need to rest", Sophia said and exited the class, this time, Daniel didn't stop her.
"I'm having a party this weekend. It's my parent's anniversary, so I'm personally inviting you. I want you to come", Daniel said as he followed Sophia on the back.
Seeing that Sophia didn't say anything, he probed further. "The time is three o'clock, and it's only an hour", he added. Sophia walked to the limousine and entered. "You can leave at any time you want".
"I'll think about it" was her last statement before the vehicle drove away, leaving Daniel in the dust.