Loving Geography

Chapter 11

(At the beginning of January)

Even though I'm not a German but Germany will always be a part of who I a. It's where I have spent most of my childhood, my life. I was upset when I came back home. I got to see how everything had changed there.

The bell rang. It was Geography-second last period. I had taken my first day well. I was standing with Ms. Grace, my class teacher who I mentioned before.

"Sophia, please remind me to take you to the Principal, after this period."

The Principal? Am I in trouble? I just came back. I have never done anything to go to the Principal's office.

"Is something wrong Ma'am?" I asked nervously.

"No, of course not Sophia. The Principal wants to give you a certificate for winning the first round of the English and Geography Olympiads."

While I was trying to calm myself down Mr. Lucas entered. Suddenly, everyone in the class gathered around me and started screaming!!

"Mr. Lucas! Mr. Lucas! Sophia is here! She finally came back!"

They were screaming so loudly I couldn't even hear what Mr. Lucas was saying.

"Hello, Sophia, welcome back. Happy to see you. How are you?" He asked with an honest smile. Only when I saw him I realized how much I missed him and his classes.

"Hello Sir, I'm fine. How are you?"

"Fine, thank you. Today you can join us after class."

"Yes, Sir of course." It was at that moment I realized how much I missed everything here.

The bell rang; we all went back to our places.

***

After Geography, I went to the Principal's office with Ms. Grace. I received the certificate from the Principal and he told me that he was proud of me. I was very happy and looking at my class teacher you could say her face was shining with delight. The award said that the Principal congratulated me and thanked me for my hard work. English didn't mean as much to me as Geography did. The faith Mr. Lucas had in me was all that mattered. I wanted to thank him. The work he did with us and especially with me was too much. I went to class. Everyone congratulated me on receiving the award and they all were looking at it. Lily, after congratulating me told me that I wasn't the only one receiving a certificate even Liana and Victoria received theirs. So I was in the lucky three after all.

***

After the last bell, I went to the tutoring class. When I entered I saw Victoria and Liana sitting there. I guess they were waiting for us.

"Hey, guys! Great to see you." I hugged them happily.

"Hey, Sophia! What's up? Did you have a good time? Lily told us where you were," Liana said.

"Tell us all about it girl! We want to know every single detail," said Victoria.

It's like we have become closer during these few months. Like we were best friends.

"I will. Now tell me, did I miss a lot?" I asked fearfully.

"Nothing much. Mr. Lucas said we'll wait for you so we didn't do much."

"Oh, I see."

He always waits for me.

Mr. Lucas came in, so we ended the conversation.

"I got some news for you girls. Next Friday will be the second round. Be prepared."

Uh-oh, that wasn't good news! How did time pass so fast?

Suddenly, I sneezed.

"Excuse me," I said.

"Bless you, and wear warm clothes, take care of yourself so you won't get sick only for these two weeks," he said with a serious face.

The thing was he always cared about his students no matter what. I remember him telling Liana to wear warm clothes because she was always in something light even in the cold.

***

"That's all for today girls time to go home."

"Mr. Lucas can we pass the second round?" asked Victoria.

"You have to, if you don't I will never talk to anyone of you ever again." He said with a grin.

"Bye Sir," said Victoria and Liana as we parted.

"Are you ready for Friday, Sophia?" Mr. Lucas asked me.

"I'll try to do my best Sir but I can't, I just can't..."

"You can Sophia you have to... you're my only hope."

This belief in me was what me going for so many years. I didn't want to let him down. I'm his only hope but I don't know, I don't know anything. I felt like I had the biggest responsibility in the world. I felt like my job was more important than any other person in the world.

"Mr. Lucas, were you telling the truth?"

"About what Sophia?"

"If we don't pass, you won't talk to us?" I asked.

"No, Sophia I just said that I didn't mean it, don't take it seriously." He said with a smile so I would believe him.

"Now tell me, how was Germany?"

"It was great. We had a good time. Thank you."

We reached my house and I said goodbye.

I opened the door, got in and shouted happily.

"Mom, you are never going to believe this!"

***