Games Of Hearts

1. The Unlikely Duo

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I slumped in my chair, my eyes fixed on the floor as Mrs. Grant handed me my test results.My heart sank as I saw the red ink bleeding across the page, highlighting my mistakes.

A disappointing 62% stared back at me, a harsh reminder of my struggles in her class.

"Eva, you need to focus more in the class and complete your homework on time," Mrs. Johnson said, her voice firm but gentle. "You have potential, but you're not living up to it."

I felt a sting of embarrassment and frustration, knowing she was right. I had been struggling to keep up with the coursework, and my grades were suffering.

As I walked out of the classroom, I couldn't help but wonder if I was cut out for this. I stomped my heavy bag on the bench again Mrs. Grant's voice was still echoing in my head "You can do much better, this is not your best Eva!" I laid down my head on the desk in our classroom.

As I lay my head on my desk, trying hard to absorb all the lessons from Mrs. Grant earlier. I feel someone taping on my shoulder from behind.

I turn around to see my bestfriend Rue standing behind me with a mischievous grin on her face. She still doesn't know what happened inside the staffroom with Mrs. Grant.

"What happened?" I said to her with an exhausting voice and look that conveyed my drained energy and frustration.

"I am inviting you to play online games with us" Her lips curled and turned into pout, she crossed her arms "By us means my two other friends are also joining"

"I'm sorry, I won't be able to join the game" I spread my hand and shrugged away her invitation.

"Come on," She wrapped her arms around my shoulder and took her seat "don't be such a coward. It will be fun"

"Please Rue, leave me alone for a while" I lay my head on the bench again but

"Please we will make it short" Rue gives me a puppy doe eyes , combined with a pleading smile, which always works for convincing me to do anything she wants.

It is now impossible for me to say no to her. My hard resistance is melting away and I get convinced with her to join an online gaming session.

There are still few lectures left to attend, and one of them is Mrs. Grant. I am going to attend her lectures now. Previously, I skipped her lectures to have some freedom and time off from the lectures she called my mum and complained about my absence.

She lectures me all night long. As a result of being raised by my strict and overprotective mother, who had assumed the role of both parents due to my dad's long-term absence working abroad.

I grew up feeling suffocated and rebellious, longing for the freedom and affection that I have been denied for so long. My dad visits us a few times a year.

He sends us royalties for my education, house expenses and some basic needs. We spend loving time with each other when we're all together. After he flies out, it becomes lonely and sad again.

Mrs. Grant enters the classroom and the room falls silent for the entire lecture. Mrs. Grant is one of the strictest professors in our high school. She takes attendance and proceeds to announce the marksheets for the chemistry paper, lecturing about their performance in front of the whole class.