THE PERFECTION: POOL OF BLOOD

CHAPTER 4

Aunt Mary's piercing eyes glared at me with a fiery intensity that could have set the room ablaze, over time. I knew that she would never forgive me for the stray dog incident, even though it had happened over a year ago. I could see the disappointment etched into her face every time she looked at me. It was a burden that I had carried for years, one that weighed heavily on my heart.

Despite my aunt's unforgiving nature, she still took me to church every Sunday without fail. I knew that it was her way of trying to make up for my transgressions. But no matter how much she tried to save my soul, I still felt the weight of her disappointment bearing down on me.

I was determined to prove myself worthy of her love and acceptance. I had a thirst for knowledge that could not be quenched. From the age of ten, I sought out seminars from some of the most intelligent university lecturers in the city. I devoured every word they spoke, hungry for more.

My dedication and hard work paid off, and I graduated from primary school at the young age of eleven. I continued my studies, eager to learn more and more. By the time I reached high school, I was already fourteen, and I had become the most intelligent student in the city.

My academic achievements did not go unnoticed, and I was awarded a scholarship from the prestigious Institution of Modern Science. They hoped that I would join them someday, once I graduated from college.

But even with all of my academic success, I still felt the burden of disappointment weighing heavily on my shoulders. I knew that I had to do something to prove to Aunt Mary that I was worthy of her love and forgiveness. And so, I set out to make a name for myself, to become someone that she could be proud of. i left for college as soon as i graduated. This was about a year after the incident. Luckily the news never spread. 

Leaving Winsburg was a daunting experience for me. I had lived there my whole life and it was the only place I had ever called home. But the institution of modern science had paid all my fees and offered me a scholarship to attend the prestigious Florentine University. I couldn't pass up such a wonderful opportunity.

The Florentine University was known for its wide span of sciences, and I knew that's where I wanted to go. I had always been fascinated with how things worked, how the human body functioned, and how we could use technology to improve our lives. So, I decided to major in bioengineering.

I was extremely successful in my studies. My lecturers were amazed with my work, and I was always top of the class. However, I wasn't the social bird. I preferred to spend my time in the library, researching and reading. The university was in Belphlor city, a city far away from Winsburg, and I barely saw Aunt Mary Lou. Even with all this, my father still didn't show up.

At Belphlor city, I had to worry about sustenance. I worked at a vet, with my boss Dr. Allen. He was the closest thing to a friend I had in Belphlor city. I learned many things about animal biology from Dr. Allen and we often had long conversations about science and technology.

One day, as I was helping Dr. Allen with a surgery, he turned to me and said, "You know, you're a brilliant young man. If you keep this up, you'll be one of the best bioengineers out there."

I was taken aback by his compliment. "Thank you, Dr. Allen," I replied, "That means a lot coming from you."

Dr. Allen just smiled and said, "I know you're going places, kid. Just don't forget about me when you get there."

I went to visit Aunt Mary Lou over the Easter summer and Christmas. It was always great to see her and catch up on the latest news. However, I had heard the tales of white hale falling from the sky, called snow, but never seen it. Where I was from, the closest thing to winter was the cold nights during Christmas time. 

As the years went by, I grew more and more passionate about bioengineering. I spent countless hours studying, researching, and experimenting. But despite my success, I still couldn't shake off the feeling of loneliness. I missed Winsburg and Aunt Mary Lou terribly, and I couldn't understand how my father didn't say goodbye to me even as i left, he was truly a cold man. 

Belphlor city, the capital of Burgland, was a bustling metropolis located inland. The city's skyline was dominated by towering skyscrapers that housed some of the best schools in the country. Every morning, the city resonated with the sweet melodies of music as the locals went about their daily routines. The military marched in the morning, with officers swiftly dispatched to their daily duties. The city boasted a vibrant cultural scene, with theaters and game rooms scattered throughout its streets. For many, Belphlor city was a dream come true, offering endless opportunities for education, entertainment, and career advancement.

I met a girl named  Annie. Her presence was like a breath of fresh air, a ray of light that illuminated the dark corners of my life. Annie was a law major, her determination and hard work reflected in her eyes, and her beauty was simply breathtaking.

I remember the first time we met, it was a bit awkward. We were both waiting in line at a coffee shop, and I couldn't help but notice her stunning green eyes that matched the dye on her hair. I mustered up the courage to start a conversation with her, and we hit it off immediately.

We went for coffee every day, and I often found myself at her house. Her parents were fond of me, and they welcomed me with open arms. They appreciated my intelligence and character, and I felt like I had finally found a place where I belonged.

Annie and I started off as friends, but as we spent more time together, I felt a different feeling towards her than I had felt towards any other girl. I feared losing or ruining her, and I couldn't bear the thought of not having her in my life.

Annie was extremely beautiful, and I often told Aunt Mary about her. She had a tenderness that was hard to come by, and I cherished every moment we spent together.

Eventually, we started dating, and her parents even let me move in with them. Annie was older than me; she was nineteen, and I was only sixteen. It was something new for me, and I was grateful for the experience.

Unfortunately, things took a turn for the worse when Annie got pregnant. It was unexpected, but we were both excited at the prospect of starting a family. However, fate had other plans, and Annie suffered a miscarriage. It was a devastating blow to us both, and it took us a while to recover from the loss.

Not long after, Annie had to leave. She was going to study abroad to specialize in criminal law and justice. It wasn't her choice to leave, but she was a tender soul who always put others before herself. When she left, her parents kicked me out, and I was alone once again.

Annie's departure left a void in my life, and I missed her terribly. She had achieved straight A's since I arrived in her life, and I knew that she would do great things wherever she went. My time with Annie had expired, but the memories we created together would stay with me forever.