As the sun streamed through the classroom windows, casting a warm glow on the eager faces of her students, Professor Jazmine stood at the front, her presence commanding yet inviting.
Professor Jazmine
"Good morning, my precious students."
Her voice was melodic, instantly capturing their attention and lifting their spirits. The students exchanged glances, a mix of excitement and apprehension brewing in the air.
Professor Jazmine
"Today you will have to take a Mandarin quiz."
A collective gasp echoed around the room, and Rania's hand shot up, her brow furrowed in confusion.
Rania
"But, you didn't tell us about it in the previous class."
Professor Jazmine raised an eyebrow, a playful smirk dancing on her lips as she leaned against her desk, a twinkle of mischief in her eyes.
Professor Jazmine
"Oh dear, do I have to announce all of my plans to you?"
Malak crossed her arms, frustration bubbling beneath her calm exterior.
Malak
"Well, we need to prepare for these quizzes, so it would be nice to know about them beforehand."
With a dramatic sigh, Professor Jazmine straightened up, her expression shifting to one of mock seriousness.
Professor Jazmine
"Oh dear, you should know me by now."
She paused for effect, letting the suspense hang in the air like a thick fog.
Professor Jazmine
"I'm not the type of woman who exposes her plan, but I always give a sign."
Battol leaned back in his chair, rolling his eyes at the theatrics unfolding before him.
Battol
"Why is she talking about a quiz as if we're asking her about military data?"
He chuckled to himself, shaking his head.
Battol
"I know she loves the suspense."
His friends nodded in agreement, sharing amused glances as he continued.
Battol
"But I'm surprised that she still thinks it's cool to do that."
Nora chimed in, her voice laced with laughter.
Nora
"She's like a child playing detective."
The room erupted in soft giggles, the tension easing as Professor Jazmine finally broke into a warm smile.
Professor Jazmine
"Well, don't worry. I'll go easy on you."
She waved her hand dismissively, her tone lightening the mood further.
Professor Jazmine
"It's not a graded quiz anyway; I just want to see how much you've improved."
The students exchanged relieved glances, their worries dissipating like morning mist.
Professor Jazmine
"Now, please answer these questions; you only have 10 minutes."
With that, she distributed the quiz sheets, and the room filled with the sound of shuffling papers and scribbling pens as her students dove into the challenge ahead.
The students quietly took the test sheets, their expressions a mix of surprise and determination. Although no one had prepared for this sudden quiz, there was an unspoken desire among them to test their knowledge and see how far they had come. The classroom buzzed with a tense energy as they focused on the task at hand.
After a few minutes, Battol confidently handed his test sheet to Professor Jazmine, his demeanor relaxed despite the unexpected challenge.
Professor Jazmine
"Have you already finished?"
He nodded, a hint of eagerness in his voice.
Battol
"Yes, is it ok for me to leave?"
Professor Jazmine
"Sure, let me just take a look at your answers."
As she scanned the sheet, her eyebrows shot up in surprise.
Professor Jazmine
"Wow, excellent! You've answered all the questions correctly in less than 3 minutes. Well done, dear."
A sense of pride washed over Battol as he received her praise, feeling a surge of confidence.
Professor Jazmine
"You've learned so much in such a short period. You're the adapting type, aren't you?"
Battol shrugged, a modest smile creeping onto his face.
Battol
"Who knows? I'm just doing my best."
He turned to leave, throwing a casual wave over his shoulder.
Battol
"Have a good day, professor."
Just then, Nora piped up from her desk, her voice bright and cheerful.
Nora
"I'm done taking the quiz too."
Battol
"Great, I'll wait for you."
Professor Jazmine turned her attention to Nora as she approached.
Professor Jazmine
"Let me see your answers."
After a quick review, she nodded approvingly.
Professor Jazmine
"As expected, Nora's answers are all correct."
A smile blossomed on Nora's face as she basked in the compliment.
Professor Jazmine
"Well done, dear! Now you only have Spanish to worry about."
She leaned in slightly, her tone playful yet mysterious.
Professor Jazmine
"I'm not going to reveal my plans and tell you about the date of the Spanish quiz."
The students exchanged glances filled with mock horror and anticipation.
Professor Jazmine
"But you better show the same results when I do."
Nora nodded earnestly.
Nora
"I'll do my best."
As the conversation shifted, Nora's expression softened as she regarded Battol with curiosity.
Nora
"You've changed."
Battol raised an eyebrow, genuinely confused.
Battol
"What?"
He leaned in closer, intrigued by her observation.
Battol
"What did I do?"
Nora crossed her arms, a teasing smile playing on her lips.
Nora
"Normally you would whine after we take an extra quiz or homework."
She gestured toward him with a playful flick of her wrist.
Nora
"To see you walk out after finishing the quiz in less than 3 minutes with a full mark is odd."
Battol chuckled lightly, his confidence blooming like a flower in spring.
Battol
"The Battol that you met in this place a few months ago was the weakest version of me."
He straightened up, his posture embodying newfound strength.
Battol
"Anyone would freak out and turn into a crybaby if they suddenly had to deal with so much pressure and challenges."
His eyes sparkled with determination as he continued.
Battol
"Now that I figured things out, I'm prepared for any challenge."
He gestured dramatically as if unveiling a grand plan.
Battol
"I'll show you the Battol who got selected out of thousands of students to study here."
Nora raised an eyebrow, skepticism mingling with admiration.
Nora
"Is that so?"
She leaned closer, her tone playful yet challenging.
Nora
"Alright then, you better not disappoint me."
Just then, James entered the room, breaking the moment of camaraderie with an energetic greeting.
James
"Hola Tylor!"
Tylor rushed in behind him, slightly breathless but eager.
Tylor
"Hi! I came as quick as I can."
James looked at him quizzically.
James
"Why?"
Tylor shrugged, his expression earnest.
Tylor
"Because I didn't want to waste your time. I'm sure you're busy with other things."
He paused for a moment, glancing around the room before continuing.
Tylor
"If you wanted to meet up with me, then it must be important."
The classroom buzzed with anticipation as the group prepared to dive into whatever discussion lay ahead.
As Tylor leaned against the wall, arms crossed and eyebrows raised in curiosity, he looked at James, who was bouncing on the balls of his feet with barely contained energy.
Tylor
"So, what is it?"
James flashed a grin, his eyes sparkling with mischief.
James
"I appreciate that you came right away."
He paused for dramatic effect, gauging Tylor's reaction before continuing.
James
"But the truth is, I just want to hang out."
Tylor blinked in surprise, his confusion evident.
Tylor
"What?"
James chuckled, shaking his head as if the answer were obvious.
James
"Luka kicked me out of our room because I was playing video games loudly."
Tylor's expression shifted from confusion to understanding, a smirk creeping onto his face.
James
"That guy needs to chill; he's like a robot—eat, sleep, study, then repeat."
Tylor rolled his eyes, crossing his arms tighter.
Tylor
"James, how come you're not on a busy schedule too?"
He gestured around as if to emphasize his point.
Tylor
"Everyone on campus is living like a robot, not just Luka."
James shrugged nonchalantly, a playful glint in his eye.
Tylor
"I was reviewing my app and preparing to launch it when you called."
James tilted his head, feigning disbelief.
James
"Come on, you need a break."
He stepped closer, enthusiasm bubbling over.
James
"Let's play some games in the arcade; it will be fun!"
Tylor raised an eyebrow, skepticism etched on his face.
Tylor
"Why are we here now?"
James gestured dramatically as if revealing a grand secret.
James
"Because all the games in the arcade were childish! I need a real challenge."
Tylor couldn't help but chuckle at the irony.
Tylor
"If they were childish, then why did you play them all twice?"
James grinned sheepishly, shrugging as if that explained everything.
James
"Come on, just play one round with me, and then you can go."
Tylor sighed deeply, feeling the weight of his responsibilities.
Tylor
"Damn, I already wasted so much time."
James waved his hand dismissively, his smile unwavering.
James
"You're already out! Enjoy yourself. If you work all the time, you'll turn into a grumpy old man when you're older."
Tylor shook his head, half-amused and half-exasperated.
Tylor
"I mean, you were sarcastic and strange, but I wouldn't have imagined that you're such a hardcore gamer."
A playful grin spread across James's face.
Tylor
"Professor Ali must have noticed that you're bipolar."
James laughed heartily at the accusation.
James
"Nah, he never said such a thing."
He leaned in closer, conspiratorial.
James
"Besides, all people are bipolar in a way."
His voice took on a philosophical tone as he continued.
James
"They all laugh and cry; everyone has their likes and dislikes."
Tylor nodded thoughtfully, appreciating the insight.
Tylor
"Indeed."
He shifted gears, eager to share something he had learned.
Tylor
"By the way, I spoke to Professor Ali and asked him about his favorite myth."
James perked up, intrigued by Tylor's revelation.
James
"And?"
Tylor shrugged slightly, a hint of disappointment creeping into his voice.
Tylor
"He told me that he didn't like myths; he likes literature more."
James sighed dramatically.
James
"The same answer that he told me."
Curiosity piqued, Tylor pressed on.
James
"Did you ask him about his favorite story?"
With a nod, Tylor shared the nugget of information he had gathered.
Tylor
"Yes, he said that it was Aladdin."
James's eyes widened in surprise, genuine astonishment etched across his features.
James
"Wow, I'm speechless."
Tylor couldn't help but feel a bit defensive at James's reaction.
Tylor
"Don't make fun of me."
The two friends shared a laugh, the tension dissolving as they embraced the moment together.
t continued with a hint of pride in his voice.
James
"Anyway, my mom was such an amazing woman. She was smart, beautiful, kind."
He smiled softly at the memory.
James
"Despite everything, she took care of four kids on her own. Despite how tired and miserable she was, she never allowed me to work."
Tylor listened intently as James's story unfolded.
James
"But I could not take it; I couldn't stand and watch her suffer. So I worked in a barber shop behind her back."
Tylor's eyes widened in disbelief.
Tylor
"How old were you?"
James looked down for a moment, recalling those days.
James
"11."
A wave of nostalgia washed over Tylor as he thought back to his own childhood.
Tylor
"Oh, I can't even imagine. When I was 11, all I cared about was video games."
James chuckled lightly at the contrast between their experiences.
James
"It wasn't that bad. It was an easy part-time job. I had time to go to school and get back home before my mom."
As they walked on, Tylor felt a deeper understanding growing between them—a bond forged through shared stories and unspoken struggles.
As they walked, the atmosphere grew heavier, the weight of James's past hanging in the air like a thick fog. Tylor could sense the turmoil bubbling beneath the surface, the unresolved pain that had shaped James into who he was today.
James
"I lived like that for 4 years and I got used to it. My life turned into a living hell when those gangsters showed up."
His voice trembled slightly as he recalled those dark days, the memories flooding back with vivid clarity. Tylor felt a chill run down his spine, the gravity of James's words sinking in.
James
"The police wouldn't even dare set foot in our streets when the gangs took over the district."
The anger in James's voice was palpable, a reflection of the helplessness he had felt during that time. Tylor could only imagine the fear that gripped their community, the pervasive sense of lawlessness that had taken root.
James
"They made everyone pay them taxes and work for them; no one dared to say no."
A heavy silence fell between them as Tylor processed the harsh reality of James's childhood. He couldn't fathom living under such oppressive circumstances.
James
"One day, two of them showed up at the barber shop where I worked. They were ready to demolish it because the owner hadn't paid them for months."
Tylor's heart raced at the thought of such violence, the looming threat of destruction hanging over their heads like a guillotine.
James
"Do you know what that bastard did to save his shop?"
Tylor
"What did he do?"
James
"He sold me to them. He told them that they could make me work for them instead."
The betrayal cut deep, and Tylor's eyes widened in disbelief.
James
"That jerk made me pay his debt; I wasn't even his son, yet he sold me out to the gangsters."
Tylor
"Damn, what a bastard!"
James nodded, the bitterness evident in his expression.
James
"Long story short, I had become a messed-up gangster. My mother's greatest fear became true."
The admission hung heavy in the air, a testament to the choices forced upon him by circumstances beyond his control.
James
"All that time, I was working and saving enough money for us to leave and apply for immigration."
Tylor could see the flicker of hope in James's eyes, a glimmer of determination amidst the chaos.
James
"When I finally made that money through gangster work, I told my mom about everything."
He paused, the memory clearly painful.
James
"She was completely heartbroken."
Tylor felt a pang of sympathy for James's mother, her dreams shattered by the very actions meant to protect her family.
James
"I was a stupid child. I thought that money was all she wanted; I was confused when she rejected it."
James's voice cracked slightly as he continued.
James
"She said that all she wanted was to protect us. She thought she had failed when I became a gangster."
The shame in James's voice was palpable, and Tylor could feel the weight of guilt that had haunted him for years.
James
"I felt so ashamed of myself when I realized how much it hurt her."
Tylor reached out, wanting to offer some comfort.
James
"All I wanted was to help her, yet I've made things worse, and I've done horrible things during my time as a gangster."
Tylor
"But it wasn't your fault! The gangsters forced you to work for them; it's not like you could have escaped anytime you wanted, right?"
James shook his head, frustration evident in his expression.
James
"No, I couldn't. That's why I got so desperate."
He took a deep breath, bracing himself for what he was about to reveal next.
James
"And in the end, I've done the most foolish thing ever."
Tylor's curiosity peaked as he pressed on.
Tylor
"What did you do?"
James
"I noticed a suspicious man who used to roam the streets every day. After a while, I found out that he was a detective."
Tylor's heart raced as he sensed where this was going.
James
"So I cooperated with him. I told him that I'd get him all the information he needed to arrest all the gang members in our district."
His voice lowered as he shared his desperate plan.
James
"And in return, I made him promise to drop all the charges against me so I could have a new life."
Tylor felt a mix of hope and trepidation wash over him.
Tylor
"Please, tell me it ended up well for you."
But James's expression darkened instantly.
James
"Of course it didn't end up well."
The weight of disappointment hung heavily in his words.
James
"I told you it was the most foolish thing I've done my whole life."
Tylor watched as regret washed over James's face, knowing this burden would never truly leave him.
James
"And I'll never forgive myself for that."
Tylor stepped closer, trying to offer reassurance.
Tylor
"Calm down, James. It's not your fault; you were trying your best against a whole gang."
James shook his head vehemently.
James
"I should have just given up. I wish I never met that stupid detective."
Tylor placed a hand on James's shoulder gently.
Tylor
"Please, calm down."
Feeling overwhelmed, James sat down on a nearby bench, hanging his head low as silence enveloped them. After a few minutes of quiet contemplation, he pulled out a pack of cigarettes and lit one, taking a long drag as if trying to smoke away his pain.
Tylor
"Are you okay?"
James exhaled slowly, clouds of smoke swirling around him.
James
"Yeah, don't worry about that."
But Tylor could see the turmoil still churning within him—the scars of his past etched deeply into his soul.
I got the punishment that I deserved."
The words hung in the air like a dark cloud, suffocating any sense of hope. Tylor felt helpless as he witnessed James's struggle with guilt and grief.
Just then, Professor Ali entered the scene, breaking the heavy silence that surrounded them.
Professor Ali
"Good afternoon, James."
His voice was calm and steady, a stark contrast to the turmoil that enveloped James.
Professor Ali
"How can I help you?"
James looked up at him, frustration bubbling just beneath the surface.
James
"Why did you tell me the story of Sydney Carton?"
Professor Ali regarded him thoughtfully before responding.
Professor Ali
"Because you asked me about my favorite myth. I didn't have any myth in mind, so I told you about my favorite novel."
James frowned, confusion etched on his face.
James
"Why do you think he resembles me?"
Professor Ali paused for a moment before answering.
Professor Ali
"I didn't say that he resembles you."
But after a moment of contemplation, he added,
Professor Ali
"However, after thinking about it, I believe you resemble him quite a bit."
James's brow furrowed in disbelief.
James
"How come?"
His voice rose slightly as he struggled to understand.
James
"Sydney Carton was a smart man who sacrificed himself to save everyone."
He scoffed at the comparison.
James
"While I'm a foolish idiot who couldn't even protect his family."
The anger flared within him as he confronted Professor Ali.
James
"You don't know anything about me!"
His frustration spilled over as he pointed an accusatory finger at the professor.
James
"Yet you freely make such a statement!"
Professor Ali remained calm, his demeanor steady despite James's outburst.
Professor Ali
"Calm down, James. I understand how confused you must be."
He took a moment to gather his thoughts before continuing.
Professor Ali
"You're confused as to why such a huge institution would handpick someone like you, am I right?"
James nodded vigorously, desperation creeping into his voice.
James
"Yes! It's driving me crazy!"
He ran a hand through his hair in frustration.
James
"Maybe they found out about the chaos that I caused in my hometown. After all, those videos have gone viral."
His voice cracked with emotion as he continued.
James
"But all I did was set up a fire that only burned innocent people—including my family."
Tears welled in his eyes as he poured out his anguish.
James
"Why would they select someone like that? A nobody with no past and no future?"
As James's tears flowed freely, he felt an overwhelming sense of despair wash over him. He had come to Professor Ali seeking answers but left feeling more lost than ever.
He thought back to how it all began—one day receiving an invite m