Chapter 2: New Year, New Goals

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 really wish the teacher would finish his 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 almost slept during class a while ago.

We were already done with the first day of classes. A lot of new teachers talked about high expectations from us considering the standards of our school. I hope that I could exceed their expectations despite hurdles along the way.

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

I left the school building painted in light grey and yellow with the sun still shining its gentle glow before sunset. Tons of students kept chatting, playing volleyball, and waiting for their guardians. I live in the school's dorm, just a ten-minute walk from here. 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 can bear with it. They often treat loyal customers with their specialty dishes.

Just as I was about to sign out from the guardhouse, I heard light footsteps approaching me. I glanced at my side and noticed my current math teacher gestured to wait for her.

I patiently stood while gazing at the sunset. I bowed my head as 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."

Her lips curved, "You should know that you've been one of the most trusted tutors of your bathc for remedial sessions since grade 7. I hope that you won't mind, I'd like you to continue your service with us. I might reassign you with someone else this school year. 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."

She reached out the forms from her bag. "Great! You'll start immediately next week. Make sure to fill out these forms and submit them before Friday."

"Thank you ma'am, I'll do my best to help my tutee with his or her difficulties."

"Alright, stay safe while going home."

I nodded my head in response. "Thank you ma'am. Stay safe too."

Memories from grade seven came back. I remembered the day I became a tutor despite being hesistant. At first, I only applied for additional points. After a few months, my performance in math became better. My tutee also did better with her math subject. Knowing that your tutee does better and becomes grateful with her performance made me want to continue. After all, it gave me a sense of responsibility and happiness.

I took out my phone and arranged my schedule and the list of requirements to finish. Students filled the store as they ate, yet I had no company to talk with. Maybe it was meant to be this way. I've got used to isolation from other people.

Unexpectedly, someone sat at the other end of the table with his noodles. It's him again.

"Vi, you need to have someone with you. It's unsafe being alone here knowing that this is a public store."

I smirked at his statement. "Daniel please, I've told you that we should stop interacting with each other. The rumor from last year might spread and cause issues again, alright? I'm gonna ask you to leave me."

"I won't. I'll stay here even if you won't talk to me. I'll stay silent and leave after you finish eating."

"Fine. Do whatever you want just don't bother me."

He did stay with me for a while until I finished eating. He gave his money to the vendor the moment I took out my wallet. "I'll pay for her dinner."

I shot a glance at him. "You don't have to."

"Accept this as my apology. I won't bother you anymore. And for last year, it was my fault. Can't we be best friends anymore?"

Everything became blurry and my head went spinning. Is this from a previous dream?

I looked away. "Let's avoid any issues between us. I want to prevent any unnecessary attention this year."

"Alright. I have to go home now. Goodbye Vi. Still call me Dan, okay? Don't call me by my first name but by my nickname."

Dan and I went to different directions after exiting the store. As I stroll down the sidewalk filled with stones, I remembered my roommate's question to me. I've never dreamt of it, but could it come true?

"Why aren't you a DL yet? You deserve it."

Maybe I can't be one from the beginning. Though I tried to. I wanted to. Yet, I was always a step too far from it.

As always, I opened my backpack for inspection and signed on the logbook before entering the dorm.

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 while being pushed to the side. Many students were 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.

"Don't mind this. It's just notes from a while ago. I have written notes for our upcoming lectures, especially in Statistics. Would you like to take a look 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 with having nothing to do."

"It's alright, I'm glad that you asked. So where should 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 for a few minutes. 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 attend 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 to do better in my Math subject. 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.

Even if I don't understand the lessons of every topic at first, I will still try to find other 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 are 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 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 I 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 prepared to doze off. "Please let it be a good dream."

***

Everything around me was dark. I reached out my hand towards the light that was 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 me feel awkwardness surrounding the room. 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 this recurring person in my dreams?