A Day in the Life (Part-2)

The rest of the day passed in a blur. In Literature, we discussed The Great Gatsby, a book I'd read multiple times in my previous life. The teacher, Mr. Liu, was a soft-spoken man with a love for storytelling. He had a way of making even the most mundane passages come alive.

"What do you think Fitzgerald is trying to say about the American Dream?" Mr. Liu asked, his eyes scanning the room.

I raised my hand, my heart pounding. "I think he's criticizing the idea that wealth and success can bring happiness. Gatsby has everything, but he's still empty inside."

Mr. Liu nodded thoughtfully. "Interesting perspective, Bai Eu-Meh. Can anyone build on that?"

A few students chimed in, and for once, I felt like I was part of the conversation. But as the discussion continued, I couldn't help noticing how no one looked at me or acknowledged my contribution. It was as if I'd spoken into a void.

In History, we learned about the Silk Road, and I found the topic fascinating. But my mind kept drifting back to my own history, my old life, my old friends, my old self. I raised my hand to answer a question about the Silk Road's cultural impact, but the teacher barely acknowledged me, moving on to another student instead.

Lunch break was the hardest part of the day. I grabbed my meal from the cafeteria, a bland chicken with bread and a bottle of water, and found a quiet corner to eat. The cafeteria was buzzing with activity, but I felt like an outsider looking in. Groups of friends laughed and chatted, their voices blending into a cacophony of noise. I ate quickly, trying to ignore the knot in my stomach.

As I sat there, I overheard more gossip from a nearby table.

"Did you see Bai Eu-Meh in Science today? She actually answered a question," one girl said, her tone mocking.

"Yeah, like, since when does she know anything about the environment?" another replied, laughing.

It wasn't fair. The old Bai Eu-Meh might have been an average student, but I wasn't her anymore. I had the memories and experiences of a whole other life, and I wasn't going to let anyone make me feel small but the one from the another table hurt me the most.

". . . Bai Eu-Meh looked like she was about to cry," one girl said, smirking.

"I know, right? She's so awkward. I don't know why she even bothers," another girl replied, rolling her eyes.

"Honestly, I feel bad for her," a third girl chimed in, though her tone was anything but sympathetic. "I mean, imagine thinking someone like Zhang Wei would ever look at you. It's just sad."

I clenched my fists under the table, trying to ignore them. But their words stung, and I felt tears pricking at the corners of my eyes. I ate quickly, trying to ignore the knot in my stomach.

The afternoon classes were no better. Physical Education was my least favorite subject. The teacher, Coach Li, was a burly man with little patience for students who struggled to keep up. Today's lesson was basketball, and I dreaded every second of it. I missed every shot I took, and my teammates groaned in frustration. By the end of the class, I was drenched in sweat and fighting back tears.

Art was a welcome reprieve. Ms. Lin, the teacher, was kind and encouraging, and I lost myself in the process of drawing a cityscape. But even then, I couldn't shake the feeling of being watched, judged. I wondered what Stella would say if she could see me now. She'd probably tell me to ignore the haters and focus on myself. But it was easier said than done.

The final class of the day was Computer Science, taught by Mr. Zhao. Today's lesson was about coding, and we were working on a simple program. I found the logic of coding comforting, and for the first time all day, I felt like I was in control.

"Remember, coding is all about problem-solving," Mr. Zhao said, walking around the room. "If you get stuck, break the problem down into smaller parts."

I nodded, my fingers flying across the keyboard. By the end of the class, I'd finished the program ahead of most of my classmates. Mr. Zhao gave me a nod of approval, and for a moment, I felt a flicker of pride.

The bell rang, signaling the end of the school day. I packed up my things and headed for the door, my mind buzzing with thoughts. It had been a long day. But as I walked out of the school and into the crisp afternoon air, I couldn't help feeling a sense of relief. I'd made it through another day. And maybe, just maybe, tomorrow would be better.