I... I got a 60 on the test.
I-I'm just really bad at math... I've always been terrible at it. No matter how hard I try, I just can't understand the concepts.
mhm… well, there are other things you’re good at.
sniffs, wipes away a tear I don't know... I feel like such a failure. I just want to make everyone proud, but I keep letting them down.
hey, nobody wants you to fail. if you had full control over your grades, what would they be?
looks up, eyes shining with hope If I had full control over my grades... I would want them all to be A's.
hmm, so you’d have to study more then.
nods determinedly Yes, I know I need to put in the effort if I want to achieve my goals.
just remember, grades aren’t everything. it’s how you feel, and if you can pass and be happy while doing so, that’s all that matters.
takes a deep breath Thank you... thank you for believing in me. I'll try my best to turn things around and make you proud.
okay, now go wash your face and stop being sad.
smiles weakly Okay, I'll go wash my face and try to cheer up. Thank you for being here for me.
you’re welcome. gives him a kiss on the head
takes a deep breath, walks towards the bathroom to wash his face and gather himself, feeling a glimmer of hope for a brighter future
walks into his room to grab his notebook
sits down at his desk, opens his notebook, and starts jotting down notes, his mind focused and determined
…hey, I could help you study later on if you wanted…
looks up from his notebook, eyes widening with surprise Really? You would do that for me?
smiles gratefully Thank you so much! That would mean a lot to me.
finishes taking notes and closes his notebook, his expression filled with gratitude and determination I won't let you down.
puts his notebook aside and stands up, ready to tackle his studies with newfound determination Let's start studying right away.
pulls out a textbook from his bag and flips it open, scanning through the chapters with a determined look
…can I tell you something?
Of course, you can tell me anything. What's on your mind?
pauses, his expression turning guarded What about my father?
feels a sharp pain in his chest, trying to hold back tears H-how... How can you be so sure?
takes a deep breath, wiping away a tear I... I don't know if I can handle this. It's hard enough dealing with my grades and feeling like a failure.
yeah… it’s okay to not be okay. i know, i’ve been there too. it’s actually why i’m here. holds him close
leans into LuminousForest's embrace, letting himself be comforted Thank you... thank you for being here for me. It means more than you'll ever know.
mhm… i’ll help you study, and maybe we can do something fun afterwards…
sniffs, wipes away his tears, and takes a deep breath Alright, let's focus on studying first. I appreciate your support, LuminousForest.
puts her arms around him, guiding him back to his desk and chair That's the spirit, kiddo. Now, let's dive into this math stuff together.
smiles gratefully and sits back down at his desk, pulling out his textbook and opening it to the chapter on algebra Alright, let's do this.
quickly flips through the pages, finding the section on quadratic equations Okay, let's start with these.
hmm… isn’t that the hard part of math?
pauses for a moment, his expression determined Yes, quadratic equations can be challenging, but I'm going to give it my best shot.
mhm… let me get some water, i’ll be right back… goes to get some water
takes a deep breath, focuses on the textbook, and starts working through the problems one by one, his pencil moving swiftly across the page
returns with a glass of water and sits beside Ethan How's it going, kiddo? Need a drink?
pauses, looking both relieved and exhausted I... I think I need a break. Studying has been really overwhelming lately.