"Here are the answers for the upcoming exam", Sandra said handing Deborah a folded piece of paper.
"why are you giving me this?" Deborah reprimanded her. " Did I ask for it ?...just stop it, Sandra, I'm not interested in being one of the cheats". she said quietly but in an angry tone as she tried her possible best not to draw much attention to them as the classroom was filled with students.
"Deborah, it's okay if you don't want it but just know that every person in this class has a copy of this answer...at this point, it's more about survival than moral beliefs Debby." Sandra replied Deborah.
"I know what you mean Sandra but I'm fine...I'll pass on my own," Deborah replied refocusing her attention on the book that was on her desk.
"Whatever..but In case you change your mind... I'm just a phone call away", Sandra said placing a kiss on her best friend's head before skipping away to join the rest of the class In front of the classroom as they chattered and laughed away. Deborah closed her eyes and placed both her hands together like a prayer...she wanted to believe. She really did. But she wasn't so sure now. What if all of it came crashing down around her? What if she didn't get into Harvard or even the Ivy League? The questions were piling up inside of her head as if they had always been there. She didn't want to think about anything else right then because it would only worsen everything.
Deborah had been in the middle of thinking too much when her professor entered the room to start his class. As soon as he walked through the door everyone stopped talking, returned to their seats and looked at him with anticipation. Everyone in the class knew who he was. He was the most famous teacher in the school. His name was Professor William T. Spears. He was known for his strict teaching style and his ability to make any student feel like they were the smartest person in the room. He was also known for his love of reading and writing. There was no question why students called him their favorite professor and he certainly loved it, especially his students. He had taught many people throughout history and it made him happy to see his efforts reflected back to him. That was why he decided to teach the English Language Arts class in the first place.
Professor Spears scanned the class quickly, stopping when his eyes landed on Deborah and Sandra, and gave them a small nod. He then gave his lecture for the day.
After school, Debby went home and locked herself in her room torn between worlds. She replayed the offer Sandra gave her in her head before taking a big sigh. what if she goes back to Sandra and accepts the offer? after all, she was only behind a friend...but then if everyone is doing it, can it still be called cheating? Deborah's mind volleyed between ideas causing her great discomfort. She couldn't read she couldn't sleep she couldn't stay still. It was driving her crazy. She decided she needed some air, fresh air, and clear thoughts.
She went out of her room, to her living room where she found her father watching a game of football.
"Hey, Dad." Deborah said, as she calmly walked into the living room. "do have a minute?".
"Ummm" he paused for a while openly trying to choose between his daughter or his football game."what's the matter love?". he said finally making his decision as he noticed the sour look on her face.
"Dad I need your help.", she started, with a faint tone." I'm having feelings of doubt. I think I may not gain admission to the university, or even worse, the ivy league. I think I'm already failing the exam even before it begins... I can't even study...I'm scared.." She said looking away from her dad. her eyes watering. Tears welled up slowly at a steady pace.
"oh baby girl", he replied sympathetically, scooching towards his daughter's side and wrapping an arm around her." looks like we'll be going to Hawaii after all," he said, smiling at Deborah's sudden smile.
"You know, I remember when I was about your age. I also had the same struggle." Her father began." You see, back then, every boy in my class chose to become a footballer well except for me. I was more fascinated with the world of Art and the science secretly hidden behind it. But my parents didn't think It was a good path to venture..they preferred a medical path to the Art I chose..my friends urge me to drop art and venture into football.. everything and everybody put me under pressure." He paused for a moment to look into his daughter's eye "but you know what I did? I worked on my dream... I remained focused, and I blocked out the doubt until I became an embodiment of positive energy. And through my hard work, my dreams flourished... and how exactly did I do it?"
"How?.." she replied.
" I smiled through every moment..good or bad".
"Really?" Debby's voice grew more powerful, strong, and assertive.
"Yes my love, every dream needs positivity to grow. Now go up to your room and show those books who's boss" he said with a big and cheerful smile." and remember, Daddy love's you ".
"Thanks,Dad...You are amazing", Debby said giving her father a big hug before returning back to her room.
"Well, they don't just call me Professor Williams T. Spears for nothing". He added smugly as she left and he returned his focus to the football game.
The next morning was the examination day and the student gathered Infront of the school's examination hall trying to cram as much detail as they can into their brain before the examination began.
"Hey Debby" a voice interrupted Deborah as she did her last-minute revision. She looked up to see it was Sandra.
"Hello Sandra" she replied and followed it with a hug.
"Debby, I'm sorry about yesterday. I was only trying to help."
"It's not a problem... right now, I'm focused and I'm ready are you?", Debby asked with enthusiasm.
Sandra nodded and smiled "Yeah. Let's do this." Together they entered through the doors leading into the hall.
After the examination, Debby came out with a joyful smile, finally, the examination was over and her resilient studies had paid off. Sandra on the other hand came out frowning and complaining. She claimed nothing from the answers she had appeared in the examination. "The questions were totally different," Sandra said. "Thank God I did some extra studying of my own". The two girls celebrate the rest of the day together.
A few months later, the results were released and Deborah was offered admission by well-known universities including Harvard and the Ivy league. Her father Professor Spears was so happy that he threw a party to celebrate his daughter's victory.