It doesn't have to end

Chapter 2

Odessa’s POV

I’m one hundred percent sure I’m going to ace this test. It’s the third day of our short break, and I’ve gone over every topic I struggled with. I watched videos, practiced questions, revised nonstop, and even asked ChatGPT to quiz me on the hardest parts — and I answered every single question correctly. I’m feeling really positive about this upcoming test, and I honestly cannot wait to see jerkface’s expression when I finally pass him.

Since I’m smart, people always ask me what career I want to pursue. I usually say lawyer — which is true — but I also want to be a content creator who posts lifestyle vlogs and helps people with study tips. And I want to own a skincare line. So basically, I want to be a lawyer, a content creator, and a beauty entrepreneur.
I don’t mention the last two because I already know the type of comments people will make. The only people who know about all of this are my mom and dad, and they’ve always supported me. You’d think with my dad being a politician and my mom being a doctor with her own medical center, they’d want something different for me, but they’ve always shown me nothing but love.

Feeling emotional, I decided to call my mom. She’s basically my therapist, and honestly, I just miss her. She answered on the second ring, and I almost teared up the moment I heard her voice.

“Dessa, you finally called! How are you doing, sweetie?” she asks.

“Hi, Mom,” I say, smiling like a five-year-old who just got candy.

“Hey sweetie, how are you?” she asks again.

“Stressed,” I answer honestly, not even trying to hide it.

“What happened, sweetie? Talk to me,” she says gently, and I hear the background noise fade. She must’ve moved away from her patients. Obviously she’s at work — where else would she be?

“Okay, you can vent now,” she says, giving me permission.

“It’s about a boy,” I say on purpose, just to hear her reaction.

“A boy? Dessa, I’m all ears,” she says immediately, making me laugh.

“It’s not like that, Mom,” I tell her.

“Then what is it like?” she asks, confused.

“Okay, so… there’s this guy in some of my classes who I can’t seem to beat,” I say, then pause.

“Okaaaay…” she says slowly, waiting for more.

“Since I joined this school, I’ve been getting perfect grades, but I’m never at the top of the list. He always gets a higher mark, which I hate,” I say, sighing in pure frustration.

“He sounds like a pain in the ass,” my mom finally says.

“Trust me, he is,” I reply immediately.

“Baby, this sounds like a real problem,” she says. “When’s the next test?”

“In a couple of days,” I tell her.

“Alright. I hope you’re studying hard so you can show him he’s not better than you,” my mom says, and just like that, I feel better. She always says exactly what I’m thinking. She was just as competitive in school, so I know she understands me more than anyone else.

“Thanks, Mom. I love you so much,” I say, truly meaning it.

“I love you too, Dessa. I’ll always be here whenever you need me, and so will your dad,” she says warmly. “I gots to go. Byeee sweetie!” she adds before hanging up.

Just one more day until midterms.
The day after tomorrow, I’m spending the entire day in the library revising my notes. No distractions.