A typical Day at School

Chapter 7: A typical Day at School

The school bell rang, signaling the start of another day. Jane walked through the towering gates of the prestigious private school, her sneakers scuffing against the pavement as she made her way toward the main entrance. She tried to ignore the whispers and snickers that followed her every step. The girls who lounged around in their perfectly pressed uniforms and expensive accessories never missed an opportunity to make her feel out of place.

"Did you see what Jane's wearing today? Ugh, so basic," one girl giggled, her voice dripping with mockery.

"I bet she can't even afford a lunch today," another one added, flicking her perfectly styled hair.

Jane gritted her teeth, refusing to look back. They didn't know her story—didn't understand the weight she carried every day. But she wouldn't let their words get to her. She had more important things to focus on.

The school day began, and she made her way to her first class, Economics. As she entered the room, a few of her classmates shot her dismissive glances. She didn't care. She found her seat at the back of the room, quietly setting down her bag and organizing her notebooks. She always sat near the back—just far enough to avoid too much attention, but close enough to hear everything.

The girls in the front row were the ones who always made the most noise. They giggled and whispered, their eyes flicking toward her now and then. Jane caught snippets of their conversation as she sat quietly.

"Do you think she actually understands what they're talking about in class?" one of them asked, her tone dripping with sarcasm.

"Probably not. She's just here because her dad must've paid for the seat," another girl sneered.

Jane ignored them, trying to tune them out. She focused on the front of the room, waiting for the teacher to arrive.

Mr. Marcus, the Economics teacher, was always punctual. As he walked in, the room quieted, and everyone straightened in their seats. He was a middle-aged man, a bit disheveled in appearance, but his intelligence and no-nonsense attitude kept the class in line.

"Alright, everyone, let's get started," Mr. Marcus said as he placed his notes on the desk. "Today we're going to talk about supply and demand in the market. Can anyone give me an example of how these concepts work in the real world?"

The class was silent for a moment, everyone either pretending to think or avoiding eye contact with the teacher. Then, to Jane's surprise, he pointed right at her.

"Jane! Can you give me an example?" Mr. Marcus asked.

Her heart skipped a beat. The room fell into a tense silence. She could feel the eyes of her classmates on her. She stood up slowly, her palms clammy.

Taking a deep breath, she began, "Yes, Mr. Marcus. In the real world, an example would be the housing market. When there's a high demand for housing but a low supply, prices go up. But when there's an oversupply of houses and fewer people looking to buy, prices tend to fall."

Mr. Marcus paused for a moment, looking impressed. "That's correct," he said, nodding. "Clap for her, everyone."

A few scattered claps came from around the room, but Jane noticed that most of the girls from the front row didn't join in. They exchanged looks, rolling their eyes and muttering to each other under their breath. Jane didn't mind. She was used to it by now.

She returned to her seat, feeling a small sense of pride. The class continued, but her focus was divided. She could feel the sharp stares of the other students as they tried to keep their whispers to themselves. They didn't know how hard she worked for every ounce of knowledge. How much she had to sacrifice just to stay afloat in this environment.

The bell rang, signaling the end of class, and Jane quickly packed her things. The rest of the students trickled out of the room, heading for their next classes or the cafeteria. Jane slipped out quietly, heading to the exit. Her next stop was the diner where she worked.