New Native Land (The Blossoming)

Chapter 33 (In The Works)

           

          Fast forward to December, my volleyball team has made it to the conference finals and if we win we'll get to go to state and I was actually pretty excited though I knew that the team we were going up against was really tough. Also, for the Competition USA team I was on, we past the first round with flying colors, so I had to wait until next semester to go to the next round which was supposed to be a little more challenging, and I was ready for it.

          I was with my dad though, because it was the end of the year parent-teacher conference and it was mandatory dad came. He didn't mind of course but I much rather be somewhere else, it's embarrassing how much the teachers were gloating over me and my performance.

          "Reagan is very intelligent and is one of my best students, she's very organized and swift. She never misses homework and she always makes A's. I don't even have to call on her in class because I know that she knows the answer." My math teacher Mrs. Perry told my dad and he gave me yet another proud smile. "Thank you, she's always doing her homework at home so I hope that she is excelling." He told her and I rolled my eyes in discretion.

          Finally, he walked up to my principal because it looked like she wanted to talk to him for a while, I don't know why. "Mr. Smith, it is nice to see you again." Dr. Franklin said to him. "Same here." My dad said sticking out his hand to shake hers and she reciprocated. I liked Dr. Franklin she was down to earth and pretty nice and also black, which made me feel comfortable around her.

          "Can I talk to you and Reagan in private?" She asked and my dad nodded his head in confusion as she lead us to her office. "Please come in and sit down." She said nicely to us.  My dad and I sat in the two chairs in front of her desk as she walked behind her desk and sat down in her very own chair.

          She sighed and began "Reagan is an exceptionally gifted student Mr. Smith, as I am sure you know." Dad smiled at her and he nodded for her to continue, "However, as a student here at Manhattan Prep, I want every single one of my students to get the education they deserve." She paused, my Dad and I were both confused, "What do you mean?" My dad asked her and she had a grin creep on her face, like she was up to something.

          Dr. Franklin further explained, "It's clear Reagan isn't being challenged in all her classes and I find that a bit... troubling. She passes with ease, her teachers even tell me that she'll not pay attention in class because she already knows the information, and as wonderful as that is, it's a waste of time to have her sit in a class bored." My dad's face didn't look surprised. "I've heard this before." Dad sighed out loud, worried about what was coming next.

          "I do have a solution though." She proposed and my dad's interest peaked, I stayed quiet but listened carefully. "I want Reagan to start taking college level classes now." I made a weird face and my dad eyebrows went up in surprise. "Usually, our students start taking the college level courses their first or second semester of their Junior year, but I believe Reagan is ready and also all of her teachers agreed to give her the credits she needs to be moved up. All we have to do now is get your permission Mr. Smith." Mrs. Franklin finally got to her point and my dad smiled and looked at me.

          "Do you want to take college level courses?" He asked me and I shook my head, simply replying, "No." He looked disappointed, "Why not?" He asked me really not understanding my answer. "Because people are going to think it's weird that I'm taking higher level classes before I'm supposed to and they'll talk about me."  I told him my insecurity. My dad scoffed, "You're worried about what other people think?" I nodded my head, he looked at me somewhat frustrated, "I told you before, you're not normal, and you're not like other kids, you were gifted with intelligence and you needed to use it. If you're not being challenged, you'll get lazy." I rolled my eyes.

          "I have to agree with him Reagan, you should really consider this opportunity. Another one of your fellow classmates have agreed on it as well. I feel it best for your academic needs. You'll also begin taking your medical classes and when you graduate you'll have an associate's degree." Dr. Franklin tried to convince me. I breathed out loud and I looked back at my dad. "Please, try it." He begged me slightly. So, I nodded reluctantly and he smiled.

          When we left I got in the car with my dad and he was beaming. "One of two sophomores taking junior level classes and college level courses. You're an amazing kid." My dad praised me as he started up the car and turned the heat on full blast because it was way too cold outside.

          "Everyone is going to think I'm a nerd." I whined quietly and he smacked his lips. "So? Are they going to graduate with a high school degree and a college degree? And be a certified medical assistant? I didn't think so." He had a point, he was really trying to convince me that this was the right thing. I know it is, but I don't know if I'm ready to take on so much and still have my extracurricular activities. I sighed and looked up at my dad "Do you think I can do it?"  He smiled "No, doubt."

          That gave me some confidence.

          We got back to the house and my brothers were in the house blasting some hip-hop like always. My dad walked in after me and he turned down the stereo and my brothers looked at us. "How'd it go?" Malcolm asked and I frowned but my dad grinned from ear to ear. "We had a little talk with the headmaster." He said and Trey's face changed "What did you do?" He asked me sternly. I glared at him offended to the conclusion he jumped to. My dad laughed.

          "No, it wasn't anything like that. She said she wanted Reagan to take college level classes from now on." He cheered proudly and I rolled my eyes. Malcolm walked up to me and hugged me, cheering as well, "Aye, congrats shawty! I'm proud of you!" Trey got up too, hugging me as well, he kept his voice low though and said "Keep up the good work kiddo."

          "We should celebrate!" My dad suggested and that's when I had to stop this whole thing before it became a fiasco. "No." I simply said and he looked upset and defeated, he knew it wasn't happening. "Aw, come on Reagan! Let us do this for you!" Malcolm tried to sway my already made up mind, so I glared at him. "No." I said again and I went up to my room.