Athena Diaz never wanted to leave her home for Aurelia Heights, an elite boarding school in London filled with wealthy students who think they own the world. Forced to go as a scholarship student, she dreads facing The Big 5-a group of powerful and...
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I entered the History class which I had with Zach and sat next to him. As the teacher, Mr. Thompson walked in, the room fell silent.
"Good morning, class," Mr. Thompson greeted, his voice full of enthusiasm. "Today, we'll be discussing the impact of the Industrial Revolution on society. Please open your textbooks to page 256."
The rustling of pages filled the room as students hurriedly flipped through their books. I had already learned this, devouring historical texts and biographies, which left me well-prepared for the lesson.
If I go to this school, I might as well leave an impression on the teachers.
As Mr. Thompson began his lecture, he posed questions to the class. My hand shot up every time, and my answers were consistently accurate and insightful and Zach would smile every time I made a great point. The rest of my classmates looked on, a mix of admiration and annoyance evident in their eyes.
During the discussion, Sebastian, known for his arrogant demeanor, seemed particularly bothered by my participation. He often thought he was better than everybody else since he had a lot of knowledge. And he was a Big 5 wannabe.
"You just don't get it, Athena," Sebastian sneered. "You're probably too busy worrying about your poverty-stricken life to truly understand the significance of these historical events."
My face flushed with a mix of anger and amusement. I had always been proud of my stability and resourcefulness, but I refused to let Sebastian's words belittle my worth.
I took a deep breath, determined to respond with grace and intellect. "Sebastian, it's true that I come from humble beginnings, but that doesn't negate my ability to comprehend history. In fact, my experiences have made me more sensitive to the struggles faced by ordinary people throughout history. Poverty doesn't make me ignorant; it gives me a unique perspective."
The room fell into a stunned silence. Even Mr. Thompson seemed taken aback by my way with words and the strength behind my words. He smiled, recognizing the power of my response.
"I must say, Athena, that was an excellent point," Mr. Thompson commended. "Empathy and understanding are crucial when studying history, and your perspective brings a valuable dimension to our discussions."
While the teacher's praise resonated with me, it didn't quite silence the whispers and disapproving glances from some of the students. Their prejudice against my humble background clouded their ability to appreciate my cleverness.
Though disappointed, I knew I couldn't let their narrow-mindedness deter me. S
With a determined expression, I gathered my belongings and turned to face Sebastian and the other doubting students. "I may be poor, but I'm rich in knowledge and resilience," I declared. "Your opinions may not define me, but they certainly show your own insecurities. I will continue to thrive and excel, regardless of your judgment."
