- 7.
As school approached, I eagerly moved out of
my loveless home and into the dorm. My
parents were, predictably, at the hospital with
Lily. David, although home for the summer,
didn’t lift a finger to help me pack. He simply
watched coldly, finally saying, “Good
riddance.”
く
I loaded the last bag into the taxi without
sparing him a glance. The room the principal
had arranged was excellent, a comfortable
studio apartment converted from a spare
faculty room.
I spent the day cleaning and organizing, then
went to the bookstore, stocking up on
textbooks and study guides. High school
would be challenging, and I had to work even
harder to stay ahead.
On the first day of school, I was
unsurprisingly ostracized. Hearing about my
special dorm arrangements, my classmates
labeled me a privileged “teacher’s pet.”
“Ooh, look, it’s the 12–year–old genius,”
someone sneered.
く
“Wonder if the genius will cry for mommy at
night,” another chimed in.
“Let’s put her next to the water cooler.
Maybe she needs to make her baby formula,”
a third added.
دو
These arrogant students resented me; my
presence dimmed their own perceived
brilliance. Their taunts, which might have
crushed a teenager, only amused me.
Though young, I was tall. I chose a seat right
in the middle of the classroom. More
whispers erupted.
“Typical teacher’s pet. Has to have the center
of attention.”
“Who wants to be her deskmate2 Vou’d be
く
“Who wants to be her deskmate? You’d be
under the teacher’s microscope all the time.”
The students dispersed, leaving me alone in the middle row. I sat up straight, ignoring the whispers, and opened a textbook.
Then, someone pulled out the chair beside
- me. A slender, attractive hand extended
towards me.
“Hey, you’re Ashley Evans, right? I’m Ryan
Hughes. Mind if I sit here?”
I studied him, a clean–cut, popular–looking
boy.
“Are you sure?” I asked. “You might get
labeled a teacher’s pet too.”
L
He grinned, leaning closer conspiratorially.
“They wouldn’t dare. I’m the principal’s son.”
I now saw the resemblance between Ryan and
the principal. She must have anticipated my
difficulties fitting in and asked Ryan to look
after me.
A wave of warmth washed over me. Even if it
was just for the principal’s sake, I would
befriend Ryan.
After the first weekly test, my top score
silenced all my doubters. Soon, some
swallowed their pride and asked for my help.
My initially rocky high school life became
smooth sailing.
