As night descended upon the hospital where Mike was admitted, his mind began to wander, transporting him back to a memory from two years ago.
***
It was during the final stretch of his junior year, and the scene unfolded in Mrs. Alby's psychology class. The time was 11 a.m., and the students were engaged in a discussion about their dreams and ambitions. Christina, Mike, and Stefan were all part of the same class, and their mutual hostility was palpable.
Mrs. Alby, the psychology teacher, called upon the students one by one to share their aspirations. "Now, Stefan Haysbert, please come forward and share your dream with us," she invited.
Stefan confidently made his way to the front of the class, beaming with a wide smile. "My dream is to live a peaceful life, free from turmoil, with a stable job like my father's," he began. "I'd like to have two children, but I won't mind if more come along."
The class erupted into laughter at his lighthearted remark. Stefan flashed a smile at Mike before returning to his seat beside him.
"That's a wonderful dream, Stefan. I hope it becomes a reality," Mrs. Alby said, her voice filled with encouragement. She then turned her attention to Mike. "Mike Smith, you're next. Please step forward."
Mike rose from his seat and nodded at Stefan as he made his way to the front of the class. With a determined look, he shared his dream. "My ambition is to possess the power to protect those around me. I never want to experience the pain of losing someone dear to me."
"Then go join the Avengers!" Christina's sarcastic remark cut through the classroom, prompting another wave of laughter from the students.
Mike's face flushed with embarrassment as he returned to his seat, casting a glaring look at Christina.
"She's crazy, how could she say something like that in a serious moment like this?" Stefan whispered to him, but Mike remained silent, his stern gaze fixed on Christina, who defiantly raised her middle finger in response.
"You have a remarkable dream, Mike. I sincerely hope you attain the power you desire." Mrs. Alby said, attempting to steer the discussion back on track. Her eyes then shifted to Christina, who was still visibly agitated. "Christina, please come forward and share your dream with us."
"No need, ma'am, I don't have one." Christina's initial response was dismissive.
However, Mrs. Alby's firm tone left no room for refusal. "Come out, Christina. It's impossible to have no dreams. I'm ordering you to share yours."
The classroom fell silent, eager to hear the school's queen bee reveal her aspirations. Christina reluctantly made her way to the front, her expression gradually giving way to sadness.
"My dream is to...," she began, her voice trailing off as she held unto the locket pendant on her neck. "I only wish to see my mom again, just one more time."
"Go home then, mummy's girl. Go meet mummy before you cry!" Mike's thoughtless interruption sparked another round of laughter.
Christina's face reddened with anger, "How dare you!" She retorted. The classroom fell silent once more, the tension palpable.
"That's enough, class. This is a Psychology class, not a Defense class. Save the confrontations for your next class." Mrs. Alby intervened, her voice firm but controlled.
Christina's anger boiled over, and she stormed out of the classroom.
Just then, the classroom door swung open, and a student, Laura, made a laborious entrance. Her left leg was encased in a plaster cast, and she relied heavily on a crutch for support. Her clothes were drenched, clinging to her body, and her short hair was disheveled, hiding her face.
As she made her way to her seat, her crutch scraped against the floor, echoing through the silent classroom. Each step was a struggle, her movements slow and deliberate, as if she was wincing with every movement.
Mrs. Alby's expression turned concerned as she took in Laura's bedraggled appearance. "Laura, what happened to you?" she asked, her voice laced with empathy.
Laura didn't respond, her gaze fixed on the floor, avoiding eye contact. She slowly lowered herself into her seat, her crutch clattering against the desk.
The classroom erupted into a chorus of whispers and murmurs, with students speculating about Laura's situation.
"Is she the new student?"
"She transferred here a few days ago, and look at her now!"
"With a broken leg? How did that happen?"
"Nobody knows, she never talks to anyone. She's always alone."
"She's an introvert, isn't it obvious?"
"Is everything okay, Laura? You can tell us." Mrs. Alby's voice cut through the din.
The students fell silent, awaiting Laura's response. However, Laura's eyes remained fixed on the ground, unaware of the attention she was receiving.
"Just ignore me and continue with what you're doing," she whispered, her words trembling.
The students began to murmur again, with some calling her a "weirdo." But Mike's gaze remained fixed on Laura, his expression sympathetic. "I think she's being bullied," he whispered to Stefan.
"How can you tell?" Stefan asked.
"Look at her. Do you think she deliberately poured water over herself or jumped into a swimming pool? And her hair's a mess. Would her parents let her leave home like that?" Mike replied, his eyes never left Laura.
"I think you're right, but why didn't she speak up? Why can't she find the courage to express herself?" Stefan pondered.
"Do you think simply reporting her bullies would make them stop? It's not that easy." Mike muttered in response.
Just then, Mrs. Alby's authoritative voice cut through the students' murmurs, instantly silencing them. "That's enough, class. Quiet down!" She took a step towards Laura's direction, her eyes fixed on her, "See me later after class, Laura," she said to her.
Laura slowly raised up her head and then back to the floor without replying.
The class eventually came to a close, and Stefan turned to Mike and asked, "What are your plans after school?" Mike replied,
"I'm heading home, of course," Mike replied. However, when he turned to look for Laura, she was nowhere to be found. He quickly scanned the room, but she had vanished.
That's not what I mean, I mean do you go to arcades to play games or …" Stefan's voice trailed off as he saw Mike hastily leaving the class. "Can't believe he left me talking to myself! Where is he going in such a hurry?"
Mike's sudden departure left him bewildered.
Meanwhile, Laura sat on a senior bench under the trees in the school compound, her crutch resting beside her. Her face was bowed, and her head was covered by her cardigan hood, lost in thought.
"Are you okay?" An unfamiliar voice broke the silence. Laura turned to her side and saw a classmate sitting beside her. She instinctively reached for her crutch, preparing to leave, but the boy's gentle voice stopped her.
"I'm not here to mock or look down on you. I simply want to talk to you as a friend... I mean, classmate."
Laura peered at the student through the hair covering her eyes, debating whether she could trust him.
"I'm Mike, I saw you in class today. Are you okay?" The student who now appeared to be Mike, introduced himself.
"Why do you care? You don't even know my name or who I am, so what's your concern about me?" Laura's response was barely audible, her voice a whisper. Her expression was difficult to decipher, a mix of emotions hidden behind her eyes.
Mike's concern was genuine. "Because I'm worried about you, Laura. I'm worried something terrible might happen to you," He said, his voice filled with empathy.
"Why are you worried about me? I don't need your pity!" Laura's voice was laced with skepticism, her reaction was defensive. She positioned her crutch under her armpit, preparing to leave, her movements slow and deliberate.
"I don't pity you, I'm just worried about you. I'm really concerned about your well-being." Mike clarified, his voice soft and sincere, his words filled with hope. "You'll be fine, you'll overcome everything. Just one more day, endure it for one more day. It won't last forever."
Laura stopped in her tracks, her eyes welling up with tears, her emotions raw and exposed.
Mike approached her, stood in front of her, and gently brushed the hair covering her face to the side. He took a proper look at her eyes, his gaze filled with kindness. "You're so pretty, really... Pretty." He said, his voice barely above a whisper, then walked away, leaving Laura to process his words.
Just as he left, Laura collapsed on the ground, overcome with emotion, and burst into tears. She cried for a long time, reflecting on Mike's words, her heart heavy with sorrow.
Meanwhile, Stefan, who was a short distance away, observed the scene without hearing their conversation. He wondered what Mike had said to Laura in such a hurry, his curiosity piqued.
***
"Mike! Mike!! Are you okay?" An indistinct voice came, growing louder and more distinct, penetrating Mike's daze.
Mike was pulled out of his thoughts back to reality. He stared at the nurse for a while before the reflection of the light forced him to recoil in pain.
"Turn of the light! It's blindening!" He grumbled as he grabbed his eyes and turned away from the light's reflection.
"I'll be sure to do so when I'm leaving, how are you feeling now?" The nurse asked, her voice filled with concern.
"I'll feel at least less worse if you turn off the damn light!" Mike replied, his frustration was obvious and his voice laced with irritation.
The nurse sighed and walked out of the room after turning off the light.
Few minutes after she left, Mike opened his eyes and to his utter surprise, he could see.
"Dammit! This night vision!"