The next morning, I woke up earlier than usual, the excitement buzzing in my veins. My heart raced as I got dressed, eager to head to school. "Today's the day," I told myself, smiling at my reflection. I couldn't wait to start setting up my classroom.
When I arrived at school, the sun hadn't fully risen yet, and the building was quiet. I made my way down the halls, my footsteps echoing softly against the linoleum floor. The darkness inside the school added to my thrill; it felt like I had the whole place to myself.
Reaching my new classroom, I pushed the door open and stepped inside, feeling a rush of excitement. The room looked empty and a little dull, but I could already picture how it would transform. I set my backpack down and began unloading my supplies, pulling out models, notebooks, and all the materials I'd packed.
"Okay, let's make this place awesome," I whispered to myself, getting to work.
I started by moving the desks around, creating a clear space in the middle for my projects. It was hard work, and I quickly realized how weak my body was. I had to pause a few times, catching my breath and shaking out my arms. "Why didn't I think about this earlier?" I muttered, feeling a little frustrated with myself.
Despite the struggle, I kept pushing through. I hung up my charts on the walls, arranged my models on the desks, and set up my books neatly. Each little detail made the room feel more like my own. I was determined to make it a place where I could explore and discover without limits.
Just as I was in the zone, adding the finishing touches to a model of the solar system, I heard the door creak open. Startled, I turned around to see a group of students walking in, their expressions a mix of curiosity and surprise. It was Ayumi and a few others from my class.
"Wow, this place looks different!" Ayumi said, her eyes wide as she took in the classroom.
I blinked, trying to gauge their reaction. "I'm decorating it," I replied bluntly, not really sure what else to say. I was still a little out of breath from moving things around, and the last thing I wanted was a crowd.
The group exchanged glances, and I could tell they were trying to figure out what to say next.
"We heard you set up a lab here," one of the boys said, scratching his head. "Is it true you're doing space projects?"
I nodded, crossing my arms defensively. "Yeah. I like space. I'm working on research." I wasn't trying to be rude, but I felt awkward with so many eyes on me.
"That's cool!" Ayumi replied, stepping closer to get a better look at my setup. "Do you think we could see what you're working on?"
"It's not really finished yet," I said, trying to sound more casual, but I could tell my tone was still a bit cold. "I need to focus."
They looked at each other again, clearly unsure of how to react.
"We thought maybe we could help," one of the girls chimed in, her voice hopeful. "You know, with your projects. We're really interested in science too."
I raised an eyebrow. I didn't want to be rude, but I also didn't want anyone getting in my way. "I'm okay," I said, trying to be honest. "I work better alone."
Ayumi looked a little disappointed but nodded. "Okay, no problem! We just wanted to see what you were up to. Your projects sound awesome."
I could tell they weren't leaving anytime soon, so I shifted my weight, feeling a little uncomfortable. "Thanks, I guess," I mumbled, going back to my work.
As they stood around, chatting among themselves, I tried to ignore them and focus on my decorating. I could feel their eyes on me, and it made me more nervous than I wanted to admit. I wanted to share my passion for space, but I wasn't sure how to let them in without feeling exposed.
"So, what's your next project about?" Ayumi asked after a moment of silence.
I hesitated, then replied, "I'm working on a model of the Andromeda Galaxy."
"That sounds amazing!" she exclaimed, her excitement spilling over. "I've read a little about that. It's the closest galaxy to ours, right?"
I nodded, surprised at her knowledge. "Yeah, about 2.537 million light-years away."
She grinned. "Wow, you really know your stuff! Maybe we can help you with research sometime."
I glanced at her, not sure how to respond. I appreciated the offer, but I still wanted to keep my projects to myself. "I prefer to do my own research," I said, keeping my tone even.
The group chatted among themselves, and even though I felt a bit distant, I noticed they weren't afraid of me anymore. They were genuinely curious about what I was doing, and it was a different feeling than I was used to.
As the conversation continued, I realized maybe I didn't have to shut them out completely. Perhaps I could let them in a little. I just had to figure out how to balance my passion for space with the idea of working with others.
"Alright, I'll show you my model," I finally said, breaking my own rule. "But just this once."
Their faces lit up with excitement, and for the first time, I felt a tiny spark of warmth in my chest. Maybe this new classroom wouldn't just be a lab for my projects, but a space for sharing my passion with others, too.