'Intelligence is the ability to adapt to change.'
— Stephen Hawking
THE EXAM WAS HARD. The assistant headmaster had given out guidelines for the test and Ri had balked as she skimmed through the list of what she had to know. This was fourth year stuff and the exam was in a month. Thirty days to learn two years worth of knowledge.
Ri was one of the youngest students at Harrow's, having got in by a grant for 'gifted children'. That was when she'd been sixteen and a year had passed. University wasn't easy and Ri wasn't a bloody genius. She certainly wasn't gifted enough to cram that much information into her head in such a short amount of time.
"Well, shit," Ri cursed. The internship suddenly seemed very out of reach. Anxiety started to bubble up from inside her, making her heart squeeze uncomfortably. Students milled about the hallway, their silhouettes blurred in Ri's peripheral vision. She tried to take a deep breath but it caught and clogged in her throat painfully.
A sharp pressure started to build behind Ri's eyes and she ducked her head down quickly before anyone could see the tears that had started to well up.
Damn it, she'd already gotten too attached to the idea and now...
Ri walked quickly and soundlessly past everyone, making her way to Professor Hart's office. There was still a chance. Harrows had accepted her and she'd had a similar time frame to prep for the entrance exam. This would be no different.
Except Ri knew that was just wishful thinking. A lie disguised in hopes. An entrance exam was far less challenging than a test like this and two months was nowhere enough time. But she still wanted to ask her professor.
Just in case.
Professor Hart had her office door open which meant she wasn't in a meeting with anyone else. Ri couldn't see her from where she stood so she knocked politely on the frame, waiting for an answer.
"Come in," the professor called from the small filing closet. "Grab a seat, I'll be with you in a moment."
Ri muttered a thank you and walked slowly into the office, rubbing at her eyes with the edge of her sleeve. She sighed and sat down on the comfortable armchair next to Professor Hart's desk. A feeling of shame ebbed it's way into her, making Ri feel stupid for coming so close to breaking down. She bit her lip and bounced her leg, casting a quick glance over her shoulder to the filing closet.
YOU ARE READING
Girl Of Heart And Iron | ✔
ActionRi is a girl fated for greatness who's biggest dream is a simple life. After years of one tragedy after another, everything finally seems to fall into place. There are pitfalls and some people will always be assholes, but things start going well. Un...