Beneath the Surface

chapter 6: admiration

At school...

The lecture hall is a large, modern room filled with rows of tiered seating. Students are scattered throughout, some chatting quietly, others setting up their laptops and notebooks. The walls are adorned with inspirational posters and whiteboards filled with equations and financial statements from previous classes.

Professor Thompson: "Good morning, everyone. Today, we'll be diving into advanced financial accounting. Please take out your textbooks and turn to page 243."

The professor's voice echoes slightly in the large room. The students quickly settle down, and the rustling of pages fills the air.

Sarah sits near the front, her laptop open and a notebook beside it. Her fingers fly across the keyboard as she quickly types up the professor's introductory remarks. Her notes are meticulously organized, and she frequently glances up to ensure she doesn't miss any important points.

Professor Thompson: "Let's start with this financial statement analysis problem. Sarah, would you mind coming up and showing us how you would approach this?"

Sarah nods and stands, her steps confident as she makes her way to the front. She picks up a marker and begins to write on the large whiteboard, her handwriting clear and precise.

Sarah: "First, we need to recognize the key financial ratios involved. By analyzing the liquidity ratios, we can better understand the company's short-term financial health..."

She explains each step with clarity, her voice steady and assured. The other students watch attentively, some scribbling notes, others nodding in understanding.

Professor Thompson: "Excellent explanation, Sarah. You've made a complex problem much easier to understand."

Sarah smiles and returns to her seat, quickly resuming her note-taking. The lecture continues, with Sarah frequently raising her hand to ask insightful questions and contribute to the discussion.

After Class

As the lecture hall empties, Jessica, one of Sarah's classmates, approaches her.

Jessica: "Hey Sarah, do you have a moment? I'm struggling with the last problem set. Could you help me out?"

Sarah: "Of course, Jessica. Let's go to the library and we can go through it together."

They head to the library, a quiet sanctuary filled with rows of books and study tables. Sarah lays out her notes and textbooks, patiently explaining the concepts and guiding Jessica through the problem set.

Jessica: "Thank you so much, Sarah. You're really good at this."

Sarah: "No problem at all. I just believe that understanding these subjects is crucial for our future careers. Plus, it's the best way I can help my family."

Sarah packs up her books and leaves the library, her mind still buzzing with financial terms and equations. As she walks past the gymnasium, she hears the familiar sound of basketballs bouncing and sneakers squeaking on the court.

Curious, she peeks inside and sees Tristan, one of her classmates, practicing with his team. They're preparing for the upcoming college week, and the intensity of their practice is palpable. Tristan, tall and athletic, is in the middle of a drill, his focus and determination evident in every movement.

Sarah (smiling to herself): "Wow, he's really good."

She watches for a moment longer, feeling a flutter of excitement as she glances at her crush, Tristan. The way he moves on the court, so confident and skilled, makes her heart skip a beat.