Stars' Song: Clef

Chapter 7 : Green

7-1

Time is a social construct. We are the ones who create its definition. It has no predetermined meaning until we give it one—is what a lunatic would say. If I say time is a variable entirely dependent on my wants, what happens then? If I ordered time to slow down right now, why doesn't it? If time is a social construct, how come a month has passed without my knowledge?

Today is July 13, one month since the first day of classes. In the beginning, I lowered my expectations to avoid disappointment. I felt proud of myself after having this plan work in the end. A month went by, and I was not disappointed by anything.

The only one who's disappointed here is probably Amber. It's currently our Chemistry subject, and the teacher made pairs by picking students at random. Those pairs were then given a worksheet. In it is twenty items in need of an answer before Chemistry class concluded. Somehow, Amber was partnered with me. Why would she be disappointed, you ask? Well...

"This is called nitrate, June. Remember, when there's hydrogen, it's an acid," Amber corrected, switching her focus between me and the paper on the table. "Like this one, there's an 'h', right?"

"So it's... sulfuric acid?"

"It's sulfurous acid since there are only three oxygen atoms."

"Oh, s-sorry..."

We are learning how to name chemical compounds for today's topic, which I am unbelievably bad at. There are so many rules in naming; I was surprised by how composed Amber was about it. It was one of those topics where you go 'what will this do for my future?', but no matter how hard you questioned it, you had no choice but to understand it, or at least try to.

"No worries. I know it's very confusing at first, but I'm sure you'd be able to get it." With a slight smile, she reassured.

Despite my incompetence, she remained patient. Amber is incredible in academics, though it wasn't shocking; the grand aura she emitted made it obvious. I was aware she knew all the answers to this worksheet, but she was holding back to be considerate of me. If this activity had been individually done, she would have finished it in ten minutes.

A girl's voice stood out from the rest. I turned around to see Chloe's enthusiasm—juxtaposing this was Cyril's somber demeanor. The two of them were partnered momentarily for the activity. Chloe's excitement seemed to originate from Cyril approving her answer as correct. She raised her palm up for a high-five, and Cyril reluctantly indulged her.

Wow... I wish learning was that fun. In the end, I was the one who was disappointed. I was disappointed in myself for dragging Amber down like this. I want to die. It's strange how every time I was around Amber, I get this yearning of departure from the overworld. In short, I want to die. I did say it earlier.

"It's a matter of memorization. It's just like memorizing song lyrics, right?" Amber added.

Amber somehow finding a musical concept and applying it to this brain-racking topic is extremely cute. Don't ask me why! It was cute, damn it!

"Ahaha... true."

"What do you think is the answer to this one?"

"Aluminum hydroxide, right?"

"Yeah!" Amber exclaimed, her head bouncing after hearing my answer. She began to write it down on the blank. "See? I knew you'd get it!"

Ahaha... I shouldn't be feeling better. I feel like a child. But her words of encouragement are enough to turn anyone's day around! Plus, she has often been smiling! Maybe she saw how pathetic I am and found it funny! Wait, this took a turn.