— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —
*2 months later…*
Back to the usual Emerald Houston, where I study hard because this is the last quarter. I can't afford to screw anything up…
"Renn, can you help me find the volume of this cube?"
"I don't get this, can you teach me?"
"Hang on, you two! I asked him first!"
"Hey, back off!"
But then I'm surrounded by my classmates who needed to be taught something and are now fighting for me. Now you might wonder why you don't notice Syrra or Jessie here, well…
— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — FLASHBACK — — — — — — — — — — — — — —
*1 month ago…*
So I was just chilling with Syrra and Jessie. I look at Syrra, who has been working so hard since the start of 4th quarter.
"I can't afford to LOSE THIS SCHOLARSHIP! If I do well again this time, I'll surely get it and be qualified for the Highly Valued Scholarship Program!" The Highly Valued Scholarship Program qualifies 9th graders like us into the scholarship of the state. Ever since that was announced to us, Syrra immediately began opening and reading textbooks in our free time.
"Are you applying for that scholarship, Renn?" Jessie asked.
"I also will, but I'm okay with my grades right now. I'll just be myself." I have nothing to worry about.
"As expected of my partner~" She smirked at me and lightly pushed me with her elbow.
"All in a day's work!" I confidently posed with my hands behind my head.
As the bell rang, Sir C entered the class. He seemed to be holding a piece of paper.
"Alright, class. I'm devastated that I'll have to lose some of you today." Lose some of us?
"Why, sir?" Syrra asked.
"According to the recent sectioning plan from the principal, it's now based on ranking instead of reserving slots. It's a change that determines which students are struggling from the students that are already great. And since we are in the 2nd section, some of you are going up to the top section." We stood up, all of us looked shocked hearing that. A recent change in the sectioning plan?!
"So that's why…" I am confident myself that I'm doing decent, so I'm fine here. The question is... Who is going to get transferred.
"Alright, I'll announce the people going to lower sections… If your name is announced, please head directly to the room number and wait for your new advisor to let you in. Oh, and Jessie, you are an exception since you are doing well on remedial modules." I took a sigh of relief hearing that. So Jessie is safe from this, thank goodness.
So Sir C announced the people who are going to the lower sections. They all left one by one. The class number went from 40 to 19.
WAIT, YOU MEAN TO TELL ME THEY DIDN'T EVEN THINK TO STUDY WELL?!
"To think it would be this many, I stand corrected… I'm disappointed and I wasn't told of this from the subject teachers. I hope they will improve not just for the 4th quarter, but also for the future. Alright, now for the students here who ROSE to the top section." Sir C called them and they all left one by one. From 19-10, this class became almost an empty shell.
But then…
"Alrose, Renn…" I heard my name got mentioned. Am I moving up?!
Also come to think of it, Sir C felt slightly devastated to lose me in the class. The fact I was the last to get called proved that I got transferred on a whim. That or I'm the highest grading student in my section.
"But I can't leave Syrra and Jessie behind…" I felt devastated grabbing my things and walking out the door. There is nothing I can do to stay here.
But Jessie and Syrra tapped my back and I turned to them, surprised to be smiling at me.
"Hey, I'll be fine. I can always come to you when I need you." Syrra… She looks more determined with a light punch on my chest. I smiled hearing that.
"I hope so, don't slack off then." I commanded her.
"Yes, sir!" She proudly saluted.
"And besides, there's lunch and free time. Not like I'll lose you that easily, partner~" Jessie gave me a wink and a flying kiss before turning around to her seat.
"Now off you go! Do your best!" Syrra waved at me, being happy and supportive. Seeing them being more confident made me feel ready to move to the top. I confidently walked to the room in front of me.
The teacher there, presumably my new advisor, checked every single one of us to ensure that we were all in the new student list of her class.
"Alright, that's all of you. Come in, my fellow students." I went in along with the students moving in here. I sat on the empty seat in the middle.
Unlike before, I have no seatmate. So it looks like I'm starting over in making friends.
"Ms. Alba. Call me Ms. Alba. I'll be your new advisor for this top section. Since the students moving here had excellent grades, I expect each and every one of you to unleash your full potential when it comes to learning. I'll be guiding you if you need me. Now prepare for Science class." Ms. Alba then left the room and left us to prepare for Science.
Good thing I did my assignment today, and I'm surprised everyone else also did it as well! I have a feeling this new section will be fun!
— — — — — — — — — — — — — — PRESENT DAY — — — — — — — — — — — — —
I am starting to get overwhelmed with stress. Why did I say that this new section will be fun…
Not only do the top students feel like they are beginning to struggle, but also feel like a trainwreck full of unknown knowledge.
"Everyone, calm down. I want you all to listen to me and watch me on how I solve this, is that clear?" Spoken like a true teacher.
"Yes, Mr. Alrose!"
"Alright." The only thing I am glad to see is that they are all obedient. So I began doing the solution for the homework that they should have done yesterday. Wonder what they were all doing back at their homes…
— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —
*3 hours later…*
"Ugh… So much has been done today…" My face is just flat on the table. It's cruel.
"Was it too much?" Jessie asked.
"Maybe… 2 months in and they keep relying on me like the math teacher doesn't exist." I sighed, disappointed. I get that math is hard, but it wouldn't hurt to put 2 and 2 together every now and again, yeah?
"And I thought I was bad…" Syrra, you have a different kind of struggle. I'd rather help you than those lazy asses.
I sat up properly on the table.
"Anyway, I'm glad that your new classmates are okay." I faintly smiled, pressured as I looked at Jessie and Syrra. They slowly looked away as if they were embarrassed to tell me something. And then it hit me.
"Let me guess… Same thing?" As I said that, Jessie and Syrra slowly buried their faces on the table.
And I thought I was having trouble…
"Whenever a boy approaches me, they keep shipping me with him… It's rude and distracting…" People need to chill with their fantasies sometimes. Poor Syrra.
"And I have to suffer along with her, because it gets noisy during free time. It's just distracting and Syrra has no headphones, so I gotta be the tutor and try to lecture her but it gets noisier and noisier…" I feel Jessie here. The class becomes full of gossips and rumors. It doesn't feel like a safe haven.
"Well, at least we three are together, even for a while. How about we eat?" I put my packed lunch down.
"Oh yeah!"
They do the same and we all eat, laugh, tell jokes to one another… Having fun while we're still together, it already feels nostalgic even if I can do this every lunch.
"On the bright side, I'm becoming a teacher again." I laughed a bit.
"You already were a teacher, and your potential just rose here." Jenna punched my shoulder playfully.
"Ow… Take it easy on your partner…" I rubbed my shoulder, giggling.
"No promises… I might even tickle you while you're not looking~" Jessie was doing a tickling gesture and I backed away slightly, unintentionally getting too close to Syrra.
"PERSONAL SPACE!" I was surprised by Syrra as I moved away from her, giving her some space. Jessie stopped to avoid making the situation feel awkward.
"Sorry… Let's just continue eating." We all continued eating until our lunch boxes were empty.
"But yeah, I'd like to go to the library… I need to print something for tomorrow." Jessie stood up.
"Ah, what a coincidence… I'll go there too." I also stood up.
"But it's Wednesday-"
"I'll also print something." I'm not joking, my face is in a serious mood. I'm really gonna print the post-assessment modules for PE class tomorrow.
"Uhm... I was gonna print something... But the printer at home is okay, you two head there! Later!" Syrra immediately ran upstairs to her classroom while Jessie and I went to the library.
Almost as if she's setting the both of us up.
Anyway, we made it to the library and I quickly transferred the file to a library computer. Jessie went beside me and did the same.
"You don't have a printer?" I asked her.
"I don't… It's broken… Why are you printing here, by the way?" She asked me back.
"I just thought I needed to be prepared." I worked on transferring the file from my phone to the library computer. Listen, I may have a printer at home but it's better if I come in here and print it before coming home.
Call me a hypocrite for being so early.
"That's my partner for you~" Her tone… Teaseful...
"We can be playful when we are not in the school, partner. Now is the time to be a student." I smiled a little at her. Priorities, priorities…
"But we'll go on a date again this week, right?~" She's asking me out, I can see her leaning closer as her eyebrows moved up and down in anticipation.
"Where do you want to go this time?" I asked her.
"I was thinking of a fancy restaurant this time…" I was interested while waiting for the file to finish transferring. So a dinner out?
"We'll need to find a day to slip that in, due to the remedials you're taking…" I began thinking of a free day to set up the date. She takes the remedial modules every weekend so I'm not sure when we can go out again.
"I heard there's a school holiday on Wednesday next week, so we can go out then." That took me by surprise. I never thought of using that day, I was planning to study all day with that. I smiled at how perfect it was as a vacant day for our date.
"I'd like that. Early morning, noon, or evening?" I asked for the specific time of our date.
"Evening feels more romantic~" I can see her hugging herself, imagining how the date would turn out. She took the night time option.
"I'll remember that." As the file is now on the library computer I'm using, I immediately headed to the library manager to print it. Jessie stood behind me as she was next.
As Jessie got the print, we both left the library to go back to our classes.
— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —
*4 hours later…*
I arrived back home, feeling drained. My classmates kept asking me questions at times and there was no stopping once free time arrived. I sighed.
"I see you've been doing a lot of hard work, Mr. Alrose." I saw Vance cooking dinner. No sign of Cherry.
"Still in her room?" I looked up.
"She's been locking herself in there, even while you're gone. But she has been eating her food, so it's nice." I am getting more and more worried seeing her like this. Cherry… What's making you like this…
"Why don't you take a rest after you eat? You seem to be in quite the hassle." Vance served a bowl of beef broccoli on the table.
"Tell me about it…" I put my things aside, sat down on the table and ate dinner.
"How's Jessie?" He asked me how Jessie was.
"She's fine, she asked me out on another date again." I happily answered.
"Been months since your last date, huh? Her remedials just get in the way now…" I looked at my food, feeling slightly upset. Vance's right. School has occupied her every single day of the week.
"Anyway, when is your training going to start?" I asked Vance because he'll leave this house to me soon.
"Next month. I have faith you'll take care of this house." I had no other choice since there was no one to take care of Cherry. I got worried about her again... But I shook my head and regained my senses for a while.
"I will. I don't want to ruin what dad gave you." I swore an oath to him while serving myself some rice, beef, and broccoli.
"That's our boy. Keep it up." Vance went upstairs as I ate. After eating and washing my plate, I went to Cherry's room.
"Cherry?" I knocked on her door.
"What do you want?" I could hear her voice. She's still not feeling her cheerful self. It felt like her soul died... She didn't open the door.
"Cherry, food's downstairs. And can we talk?" I asked her straight, hoping we can talk this out.
"Go away, I still need space from you." I looked down, devastated to hear that answer. She really doesn't want me to talk to her right now…
"Alright… But food's downstairs if you're hungry." I said to her before going into my room, slowly changing into my pajamas. I'm really worried about Cherry, she can't stay locked in there forever. I have to talk to her at one point or I won't hear the good end of it.
I changed to my pajamas. But instead of lying on the bed, I took a walk outside to calm my nerves. What can I even do to get Cherry to start talking to me... It's Serra Myers all over again. It's honestly starting to overwhelm my system. I kept walking my way until I made it to the park near where Syrra lives. I quickly took a look to see how empty it is.
It is pretty late, that much is expected. I went in and sat down on the bench. Come to think of it, this is where that Myers girl sat on during my first encounter with her.
*("... Annoying. Didn't other people tell you to mind your own damn business?")*
Those exact words from her... I really messed up.
"What are you doing here? I snuck out to see someone on the bench I usually sit on?"
My eyes widened hearing the voice of a familiar girl... I slowly looked up as the figure became familiar to me. It's...
"You..." Serra Myers.
"Get off." She was still frustrated towards me after meeting her not twice, but now three times. I stood up and walked a few steps away from the bench.
She then sat down and we both fell silent for a while.
"... Did you randomly call me? Or did you call me because I wasn't paying attention?" She broke the silence and I was then surprised by her question. I looked at her in a mix of shock of confusion. Did she believe I called her on purpose?
"It was random. The pen landed on your name." During the time when I asked someone to solve that rectangle I randomly used the pen and attendance list to pick someone with my eyes closed. I moved that pen in a random motion and whoever my pen landed on when I opened my eyes, they get called.
"Why did you not then call for anyone else when I couldn't answer? I was wasting your time, aren't I?" I looked down on the ground.
"I thought that you needed the help." That was all I answered straight to her.
"I didn't ask for the help, you imbecile." I sat down on the ground, disappointed to hear that from her.
"Can you blame me? That has been a habit of mine. I didn't want to help people just for me to act all famous and whatnot. I acted because I wanted to make a change." I said while proceeding to gently let my hand flow on the grass.
I didn't want things to end this way, but knowing how far things have gone for her now... I'm not sure... Maybe Fey's right...
"That last part... Made me remember..." I stopped moving my hands and kept listening to her.
"A teacher of mine... While she taught me... She said the exact words you said at the end." I was surprised and I turned to her. She remained emotionless, but I felt like I struck her slightly...
"That teacher... She must have cared for you so much..." I continued.
"I saw her as a mother... The best mother I had. The way she taught was like no other. It made the class feel both informative and fun." Maybe this can be my chance. She's opening up!
"What happened to her?" I asked, digging deeper.
"... Like all good things in life... She left. I didn't see her again a month after she started teaching our class. It became boring again." I then came to realize that this was the only turning point in her life. Meaning everything else has made her life dull... I gulped and tried not to get into too sensitive info, or I'll hit a nerve.
"Has there been none other than her who acted that way?" I asked.
She fell silent. It's a sign that there was indeed no other person who acted this way towards her... I feel bad for her now, but just taking pity isn't going to solve matters.
"I see..." And in that moment, I turned again. I fell silent with nothing else to ask her. I slowly began to walk away.
"Hey."
I heard her voice again. And when I turned, her head as focused right at me.
"You said you'll make a change, right?" She asked with eyes that were less intimidating than before, but were still piercing my soul. But that didn't stop me from nodding.
She then stood up and walked slightly closer to me.
"Introduce that change to me once you've done it." I was shocked to see her trust me, even if it is a slight change.
"That's a promise." I showed her a little smile, then she turned back to her bench and sat down.
I exited the park and looked at the clear starry night sky. It would seem things are just beginning from here.
— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —