Misadventure

10

Louis' POV

"I don't understand." My mother narrowed her eyes at my progress report for first quarter, turning it over in her hands and rereading it like she thought she was missing something. "You've been working so hard. You've been spending so much time at the library studying, I hardly even see you anymore."

"Senior classes are difficult," I said through a mouthful of cornflakes, staring down at my bowl on the table. I fidgeted, poking my spoon around and stirring the cereal. A long lecture was coming. For weeks I had been mentally preparing myself for progress reports to come in the mail.

But seeing her actually open the envelope felt so much worse than I imagined. The expression on her face sent shockwaves of dread though me, killing my appetite for breakfast.

She looked at me with a mix of disappointment and confusion. "How are you failing three classes, Louis?"

I shrugged, unsure of what to say, but I knew exactly how. Studying at the library had been a lie. I honestly couldn't have studied much if I wanted to. Studying would require showing up for class regularly to take notes, which I hadn't been doing much of lately.

I for one, wasn't at all worried about my grades. I knew things would be different at university. By then, I would be a whole grown-up, and would start making smarter, more mature decisions. There was no doubt in my mind that I would be through with all the partying and drinking. I would become the most responsible version of myself, focusing solely on my goal to become a successful career pianist.

That had always been my dream ever since I was little and fell in love with being clapped for. I trusted that my future self would do whatever was necessary to make that happen, because anything else would be unfathomable.

"It's going to be fine, Mum. Its not like I need a certain GPA to get into uni. I already have a scholarship lined up."

"You're going to struggle in uni if you can't even keep your grades up now," she countered. "What is going on with you? You've always gotten decent grades."

She didn't seem to think I had "decent grades" last year when I came home with a few B's and she got rid of my video games and took the television out of my room. But I knew better than to point that out.

Instead, I shoveled more cereal into my mouth that I wasn't hungry for and washed it down with a swig of tea, trying not to visibly stare at the clock. For once, I couldn't wait until it was time to leave for church, because that meant this conversation would be over.

"I'll try harder," I told her.

"You said that last time, and look at this." She flourished her hand, still holding my progress report. "Your grades are worse than before."

"I don't know what you want to me to do. I study plenty."

"You used to make honor roll. You used to come home after school and practice piano for hours. You're clearly not applying yourself as much as you could be."

"I'll try to get extra credit. I'll stay after school and make up tests. I'll get a tutor," I said, swallowing thickly. I'll do anything you want, just please stop looking at me like I'm not good enough.

She gave a tight lipped smile. "I'm glad to hear, but I don't want you to tell me you'll try harder. I want you to prove it through your actions. Understand?"

I nodded, glancing down. Still, I could feel her scrutinizing eyes on me, and it made me shift awkwardly in my seat.

"I know I'm hard on you at times, but please understand that it's just because I love you, okay? I know you're capable of great things."