Masks Around Me

CHAPTER 7: Missed Opportunities II

The next morning, the sun streamed through the curtains, casting a warm glow over the room. I blinked away the remnants of sleep and glanced at the clock—7:53 AM. Panic surged through me as I realized the time; the exam had already begun.

Without wasting a moment, I scrambled to get dressed, skipping my usual morning routine in my rush. As I bolted out the door, my heart raced with anxiety, the weight of missed opportunity heavy on my shoulders.

Outside, I scanned the street for the driver my parents had arranged, but there was no sign of him. With a sinking feeling in my stomach, I knew I had no choice but to run to the exam venue.

Breathless and drenched in sweat, I arrived at the entrance, only to be stopped by a stern-faced security guard. "Sorry, kid," he said, crossing his arms. "The exam has already begun. I can't let you in."

Desperation welled up inside me as I pleaded with the guard. "Please, sir," I begged, my voice tinged with desperation. "This exam means everything to me. Just let me in, and I promise I'll make it worth your while."

But my pleas fell on deaf ears as the guard shook his head, unmoved by my plight. With a heavy heart, I turned away, the weight of disappointment crushing me.

Back at Cedric's house, I found him waiting in the living room, his brow furrowed with concern. "You're back early," he remarked, his tone laced with worry. "How did the exam go?"

I couldn't bring myself to meet his gaze as I confessed, "I missed it."

Cedric's eyes widened in shock, mirroring the disbelief I felt. "What happened?" he asked, his concern evident in his voice.

"I... I overslept," I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper. "I don't know what went wrong."

Cedric's expression softened with understanding as he placed a comforting hand on my shoulder. "It's okay, Edward," he said gently. "We'll figure it out together."

As night fell, my parents' calls echoed through the silence of the house, their worried voices a constant reminder of my failure. But I couldn't bring myself to answer, the weight of disappointment too heavy to bear.

Alone in the darkness, I wrestled with feelings of inadequacy and self-doubt, haunted by the question of what went wrong. And as sleep finally claimed me, I prayed for a second chance—a chance to prove myself worthy of the opportunities that lay ahead.