Chapter 2: New Year, New Goal

Violet POV

I looked at the digital clock located above the television. It's already past our dismissal but our teacher extended his lectures for today. I tried to fight back my drowsiness. I wish the teacher would finish the discussion already.

"If you have any questions, feel free to ask me or your fellow classmates who understood this lesson. Alright, let's end our discussion. Goodbye class."

Everyone stood up straight and greeted back, "Goodbye, and thank you, sir Layne."

After the teacher left the classroom, I sat down and rested for a bit. The entire first day made me tired. I've almost slept during class a while ago. I will rearrange and sort my notes later.

We are already done with the first day of classes. A lot of new teachers have high expectations from us considering the standards of our school. I will try my best to exceed their expectations. I will ace my quizzes, long tests, and quarterly examinations with my blood, sweat, and tears. If I have to finish tons of requirements within a limited amount of time, I will sacrifice my sleep. I've promised myself that I will become one of the most hardworking students in our batch. I will not let anything bring me down.

I fixed my things and immediately went to the canteen. I bought snacks for my study period. It's already 5:00 PM, I should rest first before I'll buy dinner.

I left the school building with the sun still shining its gentle glow at the moment. Tons of students are chatting, playing volleyball, and waiting for their guardians. I live in the dorms, just a ten-minute walk from the dorms. We usually eat breakfast and dinner in a nearby store located between the school and the dorms. The food here isn't the best, but, I still bear with it. They sometimes make special meals for loyal customers like me.

Just as I was about to sign out from the guardhouse, I noticed that my math teacher was approaching me.

I look up the moment she opened her mouth. "Violet, may I speak with you for a moment?"

I smiled back enthusiastically despite having a tired face. "Yes, ma'am."

"You've been one of the most trusted tutors for remedial sessions since grade 7. I hope that you won't mind, I'd like you to continue helping out your batch mates. Your previous tutee didn't sign up for this school year. If you want to continue our tutoring services, I will have to assign someone new to you. Don't worry, he will still be one of your batch mates. So, are you still interested?"

I tried to look sincere as I answer back. "I am glad to do so ma'am."

"Great, You'll start immediately next week."

"Noted ma'am."

"Stay safe while going home."

I nodded my head in response.

I've volunteered for tutoring services in school since grade seven. They saw my exemplary progress based on my Math scores so they gladly let me in. At first, I only teach and help my classmates for extra points. However, as years flew by, I turned into a gratifying habit whenever I helped them reach an above passing score in tests even though I'm not a professional tutor.

Based on self-evaluation, I would depict myself as a person who is ready to help anyone in need. Whenever I teach others, I remember each lesson more vividly, turning it into a win-win situation.

As I stroll down the sidewalk, I remembered my roommate's conversations with me. Others often say that it is so frustrating because I have never been a DL (Director's Lister) before. I'm proficient with mathematics, I am hardworking, I understand even the little details of each topic but I believe it isn't enough for me to reach the cut-off. I need to concentrate more.

I left the chorale for this school since it greatly affected my grades for the past two years. It's difficult for me to leave the chorale, they were like a family to me. No matter how difficult the struggles would be, I will do all whatever it takes to make my parents proud and make every sacrifice count.

After I've finished eating dinner, I immediately returned the plates and swiftly went on my way back to the dorm. As always, I opened my backpack for inspection and signed on the logbook.

I jumped onto my bed and took a brief nap.

***

My vision was dark at first until I find myself strolling window by window of every classroom. I couldn't find the designated room for our club. I was pushed to the side by many students struggling in finding their designated rooms as well. After running I finally found my club from the farthest classroom on the third floor. I hesitantly reached for the doorknob and slowly opened the door.

Everything vanished again after with the alarm's ringtone waking me up.

***

I opened my eyes and adjusted myself into a sitting position. I rub my eyes, knowing that I must have gotten tired in that dream. My mind always brings me back to the present abruptly.

I took out my biology books and cross-checked my notes. I also read some of the topics in advance.

I realized that Elaine sat beside me as I was about to finish reading the whole chapter lesson. "Hi, Vi."

I look back at her, surprised. "Hello."

She looked at my book, confused with my detailed reviewer. She must have thought that I'm reviewing for a quiz.

"Recently I have written notes for our upcoming lectures, especially in Statistics. Would you like to take a picture of them?" I asked.

"Of course."

She continued, "If it's okay, would you like to teach me some advanced topics? It's getting boring in here because I have nothing to do."

"It's alright, I'm glad that you asked. So where do we start?"

While I was teaching her some lessons in Statistics, others decided to join in as well. I realized that I enjoy teaching, with some moments of teasing each other's comments and reactions. Sometimes, this serves me as a strategy so that I could socialize a bit with others.

After a few lessons, we rested ourselves. The lessons broaden our knowledge but too much information can be detrimental to our learning capacity.

A question broke the silence as we were about to go back to our beds. "Vi, did you take any lessons last vacation?"

"Yes, I did."

She replied back, "I want to know about anything exciting that happened during your vacation."

"It's the usual stuff. Honestly, summer lessons were tiring but it was still fulfilling."

"Really? Then please tell us about your remarkable experiences," she blurted out sarcastically.

2 Months Ago

I have annual summer classes in Rutherford Study Center ever since grade four. I was so desperate in achieving a higher score so that I will be considered as an honor student before. This is the place where I grabbed upon unexpected inspiration in which reminded me that I should do better in Math. A quote from became a part of mindset which says, "In every problem, there is always a solution." Although I didn't believe at first, sir Mateo, my tutor, said that he saw my potential in solving mathematical problems.

Ever since I started teaching Math with the topics my teacher assigns me to. Even if I don't understand the lessons of each subject at first, I will still try to find ways in solving the right answer with the help of the internet."

End of Flashback

I spaced out for a bit after speaking my mind out. "So are you teaching there as well?"

"Not yet. In your opinion, would I be a capable tutor there?" I laughed a bit out of self-doubt. I'm not professional enough to be in the teaching field. I know there plenty of others who would do better than me."

"You will be an excellent tutor. You're quite good at teaching us. You've even helped us before when we didn't know how to solve various problems. I wish that we could repay back your kindness."

They have a point. I've been teaching a bit for a while so I might have a chance.

"I'll think of it. I'll reconsider it when we reach college."

I'm already grading nine, I should see the bigger picture. Every day could be the start of something new: new goals, new friends, new memories. I have to set aside my bad memories before and concentrate on the positive outcomes in life. I will change my negative mindset, for myself.

My goals are so near yet so far. If I could grab onto it even for a short moment. Yet, what if no matter what do, it'll never be enough? What if I couldn't do it?

It was 11:00 PM when I checked my alarm clock. I closed my eyes as I prepare to doze off. "Please let it be a good dream."

***

Everything around me was dark. I reached out my hand towards the light that is in front of me. As I touched it, I came back to the same moment where I left off. I opened the door, shocked that I was the only girl in this room.

I sat at the back of the room without anyone by my side. Everyone was either grade seven or eight which made it awkward for me. I waited for a few more minutes, hoping that someone I know will enter.

Without a second thought, I raised my hand and asked my club adviser, "Sir, am I the only girl listed in this club?"

Some of the club members laughed.

"Well, it looks like it. But it could be a good thing. Who knows? Maybe we might experience better leadership from a lady like you."

Someone knocked and went inside. He looks familiar. He's the same person who I've met within my previous dream. But his facial features are still vague in my vision. Who is he?