It doesn't have to end

Chapter 1

Odessa's POV

It’s the last period before school ends, and thank God the school decided to bless us with a four-day break to “refresh our minds, bodies, and souls.” Honestly, they could’ve just said they were tired of us, but I’ll take it. Most of us did well on the pre-midterm exams, so apparently we “deserve it.”

I’m sitting in chemistry class, tapping my pen on my desk, waiting for my paper. I already know I did well — I studied like my life depended on it — and I cannot wait to rub it in Christian’s face. The class captain finally gets to my row and hands me my paper. I turn it over, and there it is: 98%. I knew it. Being smart feels good, but being smart and seeing proof? Even better.

I turn around with a smug smile ready to show off, but Christian is already staring at me with that annoying smirk of his. He lifts his paper before I can even speak.

99%.

Of course. My smile drops instantly. At this point, I’m convinced our grumpy-looking 5'6 chemistry teacher, “Mr. Jayden,” has a whole secret crush on Christian. Nothing else explains this nonsense. My mood just collapses.

The bell rings, and I’m packing my stuff, ready to vanish, when Mr. Jayden calls our names. “Christian and Odessa, stay behind.”

I freeze. Perfect.

“As always, you two didn’t disappoint,” he starts, pacing like he’s on a stage. “I believe you can push yourselves even further. Remember, this is only the pre-midterm. May the best man or woman win next time.” He finishes like he just gave a TED talk, and all it does is make me want to scream.

I roll my eyes and walk out.

“I don’t know why you keep trying, honestly,” jerkface says behind me, sounding way too satisfied. I don’t even look at him. I head straight to my best friend’s locker.

“What happened now?” Tiana asks the moment she sees my face. She tilts her head like she’s diagnosing a disease. “Let me guess — he beat you in a test again?”

I pout and nod.

“This is just pre-midterms. You’re going to crush him during the real one,” she says confidently. She swings her locker shut. “Come on. Adam’s waiting in the car.” She grabs my arm gently and pulls me along.

She’s right. I shouldn’t let Christian live rent-free in my head. This is not why I came here. I didn’t move from Ghana all the way to Eastville just to let some arrogant jerkface control my mood.

“Y’all ready to hang out?” Adam asks the moment we get into the car. His grin is way too bright for someone who probably didn’t even take the exam seriously.

We both nod.

“This is my only hangout this break, so we better make it count,” I say.

“He beat her again, didn’t he?” Adam asks, glancing at me through the mirror. Tiana nods. They both sigh dramatically.

“Odessa, your grades are already amazing. They’ve been amazing. What more do you want?” Tiana asks — and just like that, my whole mood sinks again.

I take a deep breath. “Tiana,” I say slowly. “Tiana.” I repeat, staring at her. “I hate when you ask me things like that. And you know it. Just… drop me off at home.”

“I was only joking,” she says softly.

“Just drop me off, man.” I’m done talking.

The rest of the drive is tense and quiet. The kind of silence that feels heavy. But I honestly don’t care. When they drop me off, I don’t wait — I rush inside, straight to my room.

No one understands me.
I wish Mom were here.
Being good isn’t enough.
It’s never enough.

I need to be perfect — just like she was. I want to follow her path. I want to make her proud. Is that really too much to ask?

People say things like “You’re effortlessly smart,” “What more does she want?” or “Isn’t above 85% enough for her?” like they actually know what they’re talking about. It annoys me more than anything.

I toss my bag onto my chair, crawl onto my bed, and close my eyes. The quiet is soothing. Slowly, my thoughts fade, and I drift into a deep, heavy slumber.