Loving Geography

Chapter 6

I asked my sister to help me. I was putting up the world map in my room. I had already gotten the books I needed from the school library and started to work. My autumn break didn't go the way I planned. I began doing a lot of research. I read every chapter and wrote down a few notes. I was doing this for a week already. Tomorrow was the first practice. Only thinking about the fact that mom was going to talk with Mr. Lucas made me panic. I convinced myself even if my Mom did talk with Mr. Lucas I still wanted to participate. I was tired. I prepared my books and clothes for tomorrow and went to bed.

***

The last bell rang. I got up from my seat calmly as possible, packed up my things and got out of the classroom.

"Good luck you'll need it," Lily said as she hugged me and went away.

"Thanks, Lil," I said. I was glad at least someone was positive today.

I went into the class where Mr. Lucas had told us to wait for him. There was a group of teenage girls. I recognized two of them. One was from the eighth grade. Her name was Liana. She was tall, had brown eyes, long hair. She seemed nice. When we discussed something, she always had a different opinion about something. The other one was Victoria, she was from the seventh grade. One thing was for sure, she was smart. She was tall, had blond hair, she wore glasses and was very serious whenever she talked. I knew I didn't stand a chance with these people. There was no way I could be in the lucky three to go to the Olympiad seeing how smart the kids here were. Mr. Lucas finally came.

"Hello everyone, How is everything? You got the books?" he asked.

"I got the books." I told him.

"Bring them let me see and Victoria please bring me the atlas." He asked.

We started discussing countries from Europe. Half an hour past. I looked at my watch, I knew that Mom's work was over and she was probably on her way. Suddenly, the door opened. A sweet voice said.

"Mr. Lucas, can you please come for a moment?" she asked. I knew it had to be my Mom.

I was frightened, what if it was her? I didn't see who it was because I was at the back.

"Sure. Excuse me please I'll be back," he said as he walked out of the class and shut the door after him.

I was panicking. For a few minutes, I could hear whispering but didn't know what they were saying. Then the door opened and Mr. Lucas entered like nothing happened, everything was normal. He continued.

"Okay, so let's continue. What do you know about Germany?"

"Well, I think Frankfurt is the most beautiful city in Germany," said Victoria.

"No," I argued. I thought I should insist that it was Berlin.

"No way," she said, "I have seen the pictures it is amazing!!"

"I have lived there for twelve years and you think I don't know?"

"Where?" Mr. Lucas asked.

"Germany." I answered.

"That's you?" he asked surprised.

"Yup, that's me." I said proudly. I thought maybe he knew that there was a new freaky girl at school. Victoria had bought some cards on it there were countries and some information about them. Mr. Lucas took two cards he gave one to me and kept the other for himself. We started playing a game. After the tutoring was over. We all came out of school.

"See you tomorrow," said Mr. Lucas.

"Goodbye, Sir." said everyone as they all parted. I noticed that Mr. Lucas was going the same way where I was headed. So I continued to walk with him when he asked.

"Sophia, are you going this way?"

"Yes, Sir I always go this way," I said. I didn't want to sound like I was following him or something. I decided it was the perfect time yo ask him what I wanted to.

"Mr. Lucas, can I ask you something?"

"Sure, what is it, Sophia?"

"Mr. Lucas, why did you pick me? I'm grateful that you did Sir, really I am. It's just that I'm just not sure-" but he cut me off.

"Sophia you have to have faith in yourself, even when people around you tell you are not good enough or you can't do it just trust yourself, you know much more than you think. Just keep practicing. I believe that nothing is impossible as long as you determined to make it possible."

"Really?" I asked.

"You will surely be in the first three," he said giving me back the I-know-you-can-do-it look. Now it turned into a comfortable silence.

"So, Sophia you live here?" he asked looking at the big building which was right in front of us.

"Yes, where do you live Sir?" I asked back.

"A little far from here, see that building over there,' he said pointing a few buildings far from mine, 'over there near that building which has a blue roof."

"Oh, I see."

We reached my house.

"Here we are. Thanks, Sir, for the advice. Bye!" I said.

"No problem, Sophia. Goodbye." He said as he went.

I entered the house.

"Mom, I'm home."

"How was school today?"

"Great! we did a lot of work."

I changed my clothes, washed my hands and sat in the kitchen. Mom had already prepared lunch.

"Mr. Lucas says he has big hopes in you," said mom smiling.

"He has? So, it was you who came but when he entered and on the way... he didn't say anything."

He wouldn't say anything.

So, after all, I was taking part.

"Sophia, darling if you don't want to take part you have to tell it yourself. I told him that your new with this and all but he said he wants you to try. It's up to you sweetie."

"Mom, he has faith in me. I thought that you didn't say anything so I tried to talk to him but he said if you keep practicing you will surely be ready."

"I'm happy that you are eager to learn."

"Thanks, Mom the spaghetti was delicious." I kissed her cheek and went to my room. I opened the door looked at the world map and knew I had a long way to go.