A Lonely Child Of Space

Discovery In The Halls

Monday morning was back to my usual routine. I navigated the crowded halls, dodging groups of students chatting away about weekend plans, while my mind wandered off to the stars, imagining the next project I could work on. I'd just finished reading about nebula formations, and I was buzzing with ideas for my own models and diagrams.

Throughout the morning, a few classmates came by to ask me for help with their homework, mostly in math and science. I'd gotten used to it, and though I wasn't exactly warm, I did my best to answer their questions and clarify things. It was almost... nice to be the go-to person for something, even if I still felt awkward in my own way.

But when lunch rolled around, I was still caught up in thoughts about a new nebula project, zoning out as I walked down the hall. Without realizing it, I turned down a hallway I hadn't seen before, passing empty classrooms that looked almost untouched. I slowed my steps, peeking into one of the rooms.

The space was quiet, the chairs neatly stacked in the corner, and a layer of dust on the desks. There was something strangely inviting about it. My mind sparked with ideas—the room was large, perfect for laying out charts and setting up a small workspace for model-building. No interruptions, no noise, just a quiet place to focus on my projects.

I looked around, feeling a little thrill at the possibilities. Why didn't I think of this before? If I could use one of these rooms, I wouldn't have to keep cramming my experiments and diagrams onto my tiny desk at home. My family wouldn't have to worry about my "messy space projects" all over the place, and I could focus better without distractions.

Before I knew it, I was heading toward the principal's office, my mind already forming a plan. If I could get permission to use the room, I'd have a real workspace where I could dive deeper into my projects. As I approached the office, I felt a flicker of nervousness. I'd never really spoken to the principal about anything other than grades or schedules. This was different—an actual request.

The principal was sitting at her desk when I knocked lightly on the open door. She looked up, smiling warmly. "Come in, Reina. What can I help you with?"

I stepped inside, fidgeting a bit as I tried to organize my thoughts. "I... I have a request," I said, my voice a bit softer than usual. "I noticed there are some vacant classrooms in the east wing. I was wondering if... maybe... I could use one of them?"

Her eyebrows raised slightly, clearly surprised. "A classroom? And what would you use it for?"

Taking a breath, I explained, "I have a lot of science projects that I've been working on at home, mostly about astronomy. But it's getting hard to keep everything organized, and I don't have much space. I thought... maybe if I could borrow a classroom, I could set up my materials and focus more easily."

The principal leaned back in her chair, considering this. "You're certainly dedicated to your studies, Reina. I've heard wonderful things about your passion for science. But, a whole classroom... Are you sure you'll have enough projects to fill the space?"

I nodded quickly. "Yes, absolutely! I have a whole list of experiments I want to try, and it's hard to find a quiet place to work on them without distractions. I can keep the room clean, and I won't disturb anyone else."

She tapped a pen thoughtfully on her desk. "You know, I'm not sure we've had a student ask for something like this before. But I don't see any harm in it, as long as you're responsible with the space." She smiled, a little glint of amusement in her eyes. "How about we try it out for a month? If it goes well, you can continue using the room."