Loving Geography

Chapter 12

(At the end of January)

I gave English the other day. I had only one more day until the second round for Geography and this is what happened: After I gave the exam I went to school. It was Geography- second last period so I went to class. I knocked on the door and got in.

"Hello Sophia, come in," said Mr. Lucas.

"Hello Sir," I said as I went to sit next to Lily.

"How was it?" everyone started asking.

"It's fine everyone." I said loudly trying to calm everyone down. I was just too tired and annoyed.

"All right everyone open your notebooks and let's begin...and Sophia I would like to see you after this class." said Mr. Lucas looking at me and I nodded.

***

"Sophia what do you have now?" asked Mr. Lucas.

"Chemistry," I answered.

"I'm free the next period, I can tutor you, see if you can ask her and come to the class."

"I'll try, Sir."

***

I asked Ms. Maria and she allowed and went to find Mr. Lucas.

We were sitting in the tutoring class when Mr. Lucas asked me.

"How was English?"

"Great, I did well," I said happily.

"Nice work, I knew you could do it!"

"Thank you." I knew he was proud of me. We stayed until five o'clock to practice. Later Liana and Victoria joined us. It was the last day of tutoring. We all were very nervous. Here is what Mr. Lucas said.

"Don't worry, everything will be fine. You'll do well. Work together. work well. I know you can do it. Even if you don't pass you know you have so much of knowledge. That's the important thing. Good luck."

***

We were all ready that day when we went to the Olympiad. I looked at Liana she was calm, then at Victoria, she was fine, too. We went with our school counselor and we didn't see Mr. Lucas for the whole day. After receiving the exam sheet I looked at everyone, everyone was whispering. Note: whispering is never a good sign during the exams it means that it's too hard to do it on your own and you need help. I looked at Liana and Victoria they were looking at each other and then at me. I read some questions and understood that there was only a ten percent chance of getting anything right. I could see so many of the students cheating. Then I turned back, Victoria whispered.

"Sophia do you have any idea how are we going to write this?"

"Nope. Does Liana?" I asked her coldly.

"Of course not," she said angrily.

"We figure something out." I said hopefully.

I didn't give up. I was his only hope. I took a deep breath and gave the test my best shot.

***

I was lost in questions. What was I going to say to him? I was such a huge disappointment. That day we went back to school - confused, upset, sad, mad, frustrated. Mr. Lucas was not there. But there was a note on his desk.

Girls, tomorrow after your classes, come to the tutoring class.

Meet you there,

Gone home.

-Mr. Lucas

***

The next day we were in the tutoring room. Mr. Lucas came in. Victoria took a deep breath and said.

"Mr. Lucas, it was horrible! We won't pass! We all messed up! We're sorry!" she started crying.

"Victoria no need to cry. Listen to me, no matter what happens, you mustn't lose your hope. You did your best. I know you did," He said smiling at us but I knew he was upset too. I could feel his sadness.

***

Days passed. Weeks passed. We used to ask Mr. Lucas if he had any news but his answers were always "No". I figured this was one of those times when a person cannot answer directly to your question, it's probably because the answer is too painful for you to know or too hard for them to admit. Other teachers used to ask him too but he didn't say anything, neither did we.

**