The next morning, May again waited for Jeffrey and they left for school together.
In class, Jeffrey kept controlling himself not to comment on the assignment of others but he couldn't hold it in anymore after listening to Tim's story.
"Once upon a time there was a girl called Pink Riding Hood. She skipped through the forest bringing a cake to her grandma but then a wolf..."
That was when Jeffrey interrupted. "Tim! not everyone is born to be a writer, you shouldn't force yourself if you don't have the ability to imagine something" he said everything in a single breath with anger written on his face. He never looked down on those who couldn't write but those who plagiarize he disdained.
"Jeffrey, at least let him off, he's still a kid" his teacher sighed. He was familiar with Jeffery's temper. The kid wasn't bad but he always overdid it when it came to criticizing someone.
"What am I then. Being a kid is not an excuse to plagiarize" Jeffrey argued.
"Fine, fine. Tim go and sit. Jeffrey you come up and tell us your story" the teacher massaged his temples.
Jeffrey stood up with his book in hand and walked to the front of the class. His gaze swept the classroom and when he was sure everyone was paying him attention he finally opened his book and started reading.
"It was planting season and Jude's mother was sick so she couldn't farm. If only he could plant something, he would be able to sell and earn money to buy medicine"
"While fetching water in the hill one day, he saw Paul walk pass with a corn in his hand. "Paul!" he called out "please give me a seed". Paul agreed as it was just a seed"
"Jude took the seed and hurried home with his bucket filled with water. At his backyard, he dug a hole and buried it, then he brought out a stool and sat there waiting for it grow"
"It was already late and Jude's mom could not find him anywhere but after checking the backyard he saw him sitting on a stool staring intensely at the ground. "Jude, what are you doing?" his mother asked weakly. "I'm waiting for the corn to grow mom" Jude replied"
"His mother smiled and lead him to his room. "It won't be able to grow when you look at it" she shook her head. "But why?" Jude cocked his head confused. His mom thought for a while before she replied, "a seed is very shy you see and can only grow when nobody is watching, now go to bed". "Will it grow when I wake up tomorrow?" Jude asked excitedly. "That is for you to know after you wake up tomorrow morning" his mom patted his head and watched Jude drift off to sleep. The end" Jeffrey closed his book and raised his head to meet the focused gaze of his teacher and classmates.
The teacher then coughed to get rid of the embarrassment. 'A young talent indeed, too bad he can't get verified because of the age restriction'
"That was very good Jeffrey, you can go and sit"
Jeffrey nodded at the teacher before going back to his seat.
"Woah Jeff, that was really good. What genre will you focus on after you become verified" May asked wearing an excited grin.
"A new one" Jeffrey replied without turning to her.
"Huh?"
"I will create a new genre" Jeffery said again his tone firm.
"Are you crazy, you must be joking" May laughed it off.
"If you think so then I have no words to object" Jeffrey continued what he was doing and stopped paying attention to May.
May seeing him so serious, stopped laughing. 'He couldn't have been serious could he' she then gave Jeffrey a weird look before turning away.
In the next hour, the students kept coming up to say their bed time story. A few times, Jeffrey's face would cringe but he wasn't allowed to speak anymore. The teacher kept glaring at him at if daring him to speak.
Jeffrey sighed in frustration as he saw his classmate fool themselves in front of him. After another thirty minutes, the torture finally came to an end.
"Okay listen up class" the class quieted down to listen to what the teacher had to say.
"I didn't tell you yesterday but the assignment I gave was for another purpose. Five stories have been selected to be published and the writer of these stories would be given a chance to join Discord as junior Authors. You can ask questions if you already have a novel in mind that you will unveil after becoming verified"
The class suddenly broke out into endless chatter after what the teacher said. Some were praying silently for their book to be chosen after all being a part of discord was a big deal even for Jeffrey.
He watched as even those who wrote absolute rubbish looked at the teacher in hope that they might get selected.
"Do you think you'll be chosen?" May asked excitedly.
"If I'm not will you?" Jeffrey asked back indifferently.
"Tsk, narcissist. Can't you at least pretend to be nervous"
"For what reason? In a class where 70% are dunce do you expect me to be nervous"
May clicked her tongue before turning away. No normal person could reason with Jeffrey, he would either frustrate you or just ignore you.
"Silence, there is no need to be nervous" the teacher smiled.
Jeffrey held the urge to roll his eyes. Of course the teacher had built up tension on purpose which Jeffrey felt was a waste of time.
"I have already picked the five. Jeffrey, Finn, Aaron, May and Snow come with me" those who were called looked excited, even Jeffrey had a slight smile on his face. The other were crestfallen and some even broke out in tears and much to Jeffrey's surprise May was crying as well.
"What is wrong with you?"
"Too much joy, can't contain it" May sniffed.
Jeffrey was utterly speechless. His mom had once said only poor people shed tears all the time. You do them good they cry, you do them bad they also cry.
Jeffrey then decided to ignore her and followed the teacher.