Episode 6

I stood there for a moment, the weight of Dr. Alarcon’s words still lingering in the air. She hadn’t even acknowledged what had happened earlier, and I felt like I was being punished for something I didn’t deserve. The nerve of her! A mix of anger and confusion churned inside me, but I knew I had to get out of the classroom before I did something I’d regret.

I turned quickly, gathering my things and making my way out of the room. My thoughts were racing, but I was determined to keep my composure. I wasn’t about to let her get the best of me. She had no right to treat me like that. The scratch on my car had already set the tone for the day, but this? This was a whole new level of frustration.

As I walked down the hallway, I felt a knot in my stomach. The anger was still there, but it was slowly morphing into something else—something more dangerous. What was her game? Why did she single me out?

I stepped out into the bustling campus courtyard, the warm sun a stark contrast to the chill I felt in my bones. Students milled about, laughing and chatting, blissfully unaware of the turmoil raging inside me. I wanted to scream, to shout until my voice gave out, until someone, anyone, acknowledged the injustice I'd suffered.

I found a secluded bench under a sprawling oak tree and collapsed onto it, my legs no longer able to support my weight. I stared at the ground, unseeing, as I tried to make sense of the day's events. The scratch on my car, a mere inconvenience compared to the verbal lashing I'd received from Dr. Alarcon.

I stayed there for a while with my eyes closed, and I was startled when something cold, like juice, was placed on my cheek, making me open my eyes. It was Jenna. 'Hey, what are you doing here outside???'"

I took the juice from her, grateful for the cool relief against my heated skin. "Just needed some air," I muttered, my voice tinged with exhaustion. The weight of everything that had happened today felt like it was pressing down on me, and I couldn’t even explain it all to her. Not yet.

Jenna sat down next to me, still eyeing me with concern. “What happened? You look like you’ve seen a ghost or something. Spill it.”

I sighed heavily, leaning back against the bench, feeling the tension in my body start to ease just a little. I hated being like this, so tangled up in emotions I didn’t know how to express. But Jenna had a way of making me open up, even when I didn’t want to.

“It’s just... everything today. The car, Dr. Alarcon—” I stopped, shaking my head, not sure how to even begin. “She just... she totally ignored what happened earlier and then singled me out in class. Gave me some weird ‘punishment’ for not paying attention. Like, what the hell?”

Jenna raised her eyebrows, clearly taken aback. “What kind of ‘punishment’?”

I rolled my eyes, trying to keep the frustration in check. “She gave me a paper and told me it was my punishment. I had to ‘finish it by tomorrow’ or whatever. Like I’m a freaking high schooler who needs to be treated like this.”

“Wait,” Jenna said, her voice full of disbelief. “She seriously did that? No way. That’s beyond messed up. What’s her deal?”

I clenched my jaw, my fingers gripping the cup of juice tighter. “I don’t know. It’s just... so unfair. She didn’t even apologize for scratching my car, and now she’s acting like I’m the problem.”

I stood up and said, ''Let's go home.''

''Oh well, I can't go home with you today, so go home by yourself. I have a plan, we already have groupings, so me and my groupmates will talk,'' Jenna said.

I sighed, disappointment washing over me like a wave as Jenna mentioned her plans.

I tried to hide my disappointment, knowing there was no arguing with her when she was set on something. Instead, I nodded and reluctantly said, "Okay, I'll head home alone then. Good luck with your group thing," my voice tinged with a hint of sadness.

"Oh, come on, don't be so dramatic," Jenna said.

I rolled my eyes and shrugged. "Fine, I’ll go home alone. But don’t take too long, alright?" I said, trying to sound nonchalant.

Jenna just waved me off, grinning. "You know me, I’ll be quick."

At home, as soon as I got back, I took care of the papers right away. Luckily, I got the hang of it quickly, so I finished it fast. Tsk, don’t even underestimate me.

I sat back in my chair, feeling accomplished. It wasn’t even that hard, but I knew some people would have struggled with it. I took a moment to relax, scrolling through my phone.

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