Science or Shadows

Chapter 6

Dad's voice filled the room, "Hylen, your grade in class is lowering."

Glancing at my dad, my mind filled with confusion. "But I'm the top 1."

"That doesn't matter. When you go to a higher university and compare your grades, you'll be in the top 20 there," Dad's voice resonated deeply.

I tightened my grip on my utensils, my heart sinking as I simply nodded, feeling the weight of his words.

With my parents' concerned gazes on me, my mom's gentle voice pierced the silence. "Do better, okay?"

A flicker of hope sparked within me as I nodded in response.

After our meal, I headed to school, relieved that it was Friday and the weekend was approaching.

Entering the classroom, my eyes automatically sought out Haden's seat.

But he wasn't there.

"Who are you searching for?" A voice startled me from my thoughts.

Turning, I found Livia's curious gaze meeting mine.

"Nobody," I replied, trying to evade her question as I walked to my seat.

Livia followed, her tone teasing. "Hmm... eyeing the new student, huh?"

I rolled my eyes and settled into my chair as she approached.

"By the way, want to go shopping later? You promised me!" Livia's excitement was contagious.

Realizing I had planned to visit the library instead, I hesitated before reluctantly agreeing. "Okay."

Livia's grin widened. "My treat — as always," she said, playfully rolling her eyes.

As the professor entered, Livia swiftly returned to her seat, signaling the start of the lesson.

"Before we begin our lesson, I'll start with a question. Can you describe yourself in one sentence?" the professor inquired.

As everyone's eyes avoided the professor's gaze, someone raised their hand. I kept mine steady.

How should I define myself?

A girl with numerous problems? Or a girl who feels like giving up.

I sighed, deciding to doodle on my paper instead.

"Hylen, would you like to answer?" I heard, looking up in response.

With a quiet sigh, I stood up.

"A girl who loves science," I replied.

A smile graced the professor's face.

"And based on that, what do you think our lesson will be about?" he asked.

I hesitated. Did he assume I knew the answer?

Contemplating, I remembered that our subject involved reading and writing, and our discussion centered around narration. Therefore, the lesson could likely be...

"Description. One of the patterns of development in writing across disciplines," I answered.

"Very good," he applauded. "Please, take your seat."

As I sat down, a sense of being treated specially by the teacher washed over me. Was it because of my academic performance as the top student, or did he admire my family?

Annoyance crept in.

Really annoyed.

As I listened to the lesson, boredom gnawed at me. I hated that core subject. Reading and writing? It felt like elementary school all over again. My mind kept drifting back to the girl from my dream, the one the website said was dead, her surname eerily matching Haden's.