Left Behind // Scarlett Johansson x Daughter

Clash of the Titans

Third-Person POV

Yn felt completely out of place, like a fish swimming upstream. It wasn't just a sense of not belonging; it was deeper, as if she were the proverbial ugly duckling, doomed never to find her swan-like elegance. Alongside her mother, she was visiting what was the second school on their list, as pristine and well-appointed as the first. Nothing was lacking: state-of-the-art labs, vast sports fields, and even a dormitory for students who lived too far away to commute daily. This last feature raised her suspicions; could it be a subtle hint from her mother that they might leave her there? She almost raised the question several times, but the presence of the principal, who enthusiastically showed off every corner, made her reconsider the timing.

To Yn, the place felt more like a luxury hotel than a school. The hallways echoed with the quick footsteps and laughter of students who seemed to know exactly where they were going, everyone except her. According to the principal, they were students participating in summer programs or academic enhancement courses. With every moment, the opulence of the setting reminded her of how far she was from feeling at home.

"Do you like it?" her mother asked, breaking into her thoughts with a voice full of optimism that Yn didn't share.

"It's impressive, Mom," she responded with a forced smile, carefully choosing her words to avoid causing concern-"It's just that I'm not sure it's the right place for me."

Her mother looked at her with a mix of concern and understanding, as if she could read her every reservation.

"You don't have to decide today," her mother reassured her, placing an arm around her shoulders in a protective gesture. "There's time, Yn. We want you to be where you feel happy and comfortable. Besides, we still have another one to visit."

"It will probably be similar to this one, or even better," she muttered to herself.

After a long discussion, they said goodbye to the principal, who continuously praised Scarlett, declaring himself an admirer and expressing hope that Yn would choose his institution, which he regarded as the best in all of New York.

Reaching the car, Yn finally let out all the breath she had been holding in during the visit.

"The next school also has a swimming pool, various sports activities, and even horse riding, honey," Scarlett said enthusiastically.

"Either way, Thunder won't be there," Yn replied, and although she liked horses, she preferred to stay loyal to her faithful equine friend.

"What's bothering you, Yn? The schools are wonderful, they have everything you could need, and the uniforms are really nice."

Yn managed another forced smile. She didn't want to disappoint her mother, and really, the uniform was the least of her worries; wearing it would be no problem.

"It's just that they don't compare to my old school," she said, clearing her throat and nervously fidgeting with her fingers. Although her previous school wasn't the best-with its incidents and deteriorating walls, and the English classroom so cold they called it "the South Pole"-it wasn't the worst either and had its memorable moments, especially with her friend Ava.

"Honey, that's natural. Your school was public; these are private, considered the best in New York. I want the best for you," Scarlett explained, as if her reasoning was obvious. However, for Yn, this only added another burden to her shoulders.

She simply nodded, and they visited the third school, which turned out to be as impressive or even more so than the previous ones. All the schools were eager for Scarlett to decide that her daughter would attend their institution, claiming to be the best and already hosting children of famous personalities.