Trapped

Chapter 8

Chapter Four:

A stepping stone for success.

»»—♡—««

the truth about wildflowers, 

is that they teach us 

to grow and flourish 

in the most unlikely of places.

― c.m writer

»»—♡—««

Success always comes from within.

However it is true that success isn’t something a person can achieve overnight. It goes beyond that. Attaining success takes a hefty amount of time in order to be achieved.

It is not an easy road.

There are a lot of variables and aspects needed to be taken into consideration in order to fulfill one’s triumph. A person wanting to attain their goals should change the way of their thinking. Oftentimes, our roadblock has nothing to do with our skills alone but in our very own mindset. Knowing our flaws and setbacks are what drives us into success.

No one is perfect and every person has failures of their own. It is a matter of pushing past that failure and not giving up just because you failed for the first time or the second and third.

Success takes time. Even years to be accomplished.

We just have to keep in mind that we can do anything as long as we set our mind and heart into it.

»»—♡—««

[Seven years earlier]

My hands were trembling and my lips were quivering.

Nervous is an understatement to what I am feeling right now. I think there is no word in the vocabulary that would ever express the feelings settling inside of me.

I am beyond terrified and anxious of what is yet to take part in this chapter of my life. I might be overreacting right now but I don't care. This is very important for me and I had put so much effort in order to build it together.

I am scared.

Suddenly, I wanted to run away from this exhibit. I wanted to raise a white flag implying my defeat. I was ready to turn back from all the hard works that I had done. All the sleepless nights in order to finish my project. I'm beginning to feel down and get swallowed by the negativity that had already settled inside my mind. Letting it consume me just because I wasn't confident enough.

Maxwell reached for my trembling hands, calming me down. I glanced at her hands on mine, then averted my gaze to her face. She has this soft and serene look plastered on her face. And in an instant, it looked as if she was an angel from above and had vanished the negative thought in my mind with her gentle presence.

She offered a genuine smile as she patted my head carefully and with much care, “You’ll do great, kiddo.” Maxwell  uttered in the most gentle and proudest way she can ever do. The smile never left her face even when she retreated her hand from the top of my head. The space had immediately missed her comfort and for a second I thought that she had caught on what I was thinking.

“I’m nervous.” I admitted to her and I was expecting her to laugh or snicker at my confession but instead she reached for my arm in return then caressed a spot there ever so gently.

“You’ve prepared for a month, Chandy. I think you got this.” She uttered, putting emphasis to the word ‘month’. Because she knew well enough of how much I struggled for the past month in order to fully accomplish and finish the project.

She was aware since she had visited me every now and then in my room to check up on how I was doing and to see the progress of my work. She was very supportive of me and my hobbies. The support that she had given me had always given me a sense of courage and I always told her that I'm happy that she appreciates what I do.

In a span of one month, I was able to finish the project.

However, for me it wasn’t really that long enough. In fact, that period of time is pretty short when it comes to the idea that I had managed to brainstorm. I'm mindful that most projects would last up to three months in order to fully know everything that there is needed to know.

I just hope the best of luck, that’s all.

With a nod, I inhaled a good amount of air. “Wish me luck, Maxy.” I offered, clutching the folder in my hand tighter. Gone were the negative thoughts in my head and was replaced with confidence and courage because of my older sister.

Maxwell is a blessing from above. I couldn't stress it enough.

She had messed my hair, “You’ll do great. I know that for sure.” Maxwell reassured me as she flashed a wide smile.

I flashed an annoyed look at her because she knew that I hate it when people mess my hair, “I spent hours fixing my hair and you’re just going to mess it up for me?” I pouted at her but she only pinched my cheeks.

“You’re so adorable, kiddo.”

.

.

.

My mouth fell agape as soon as I saw how big the function hall was. Maxwell was kind enough to offer and join me in setting up my booth for the fair. We’re currently at a line at the registration area and glancing through the hall, I could only look in amusement.

The whole place was packed, a lot of students like me were lining up for the fair. Some were already inside the venue and had finished setting up their booths. A lot seemed to be here by groups. Only a few people prepared a project alone, including me.

“Name?” The registrar asked me with a kind smile on her face.

“Uhh, C-chandria Quinn.” I stammered. I wasn’t sure if she noticed how nervous I was, she didn’t comment on it.

She passed a sticker name for me and a tablet. “Please, input your information here.” I reached for the tablet and did what she asked me of.

On the tablet were some questions about the project that we had managed to build, I answered all of them truthfully and logically. We were also instructed to pass at least three whole reports of the presentation to them that the judges will be reading as soon as we are up to presentation. After I was done with answering, she gave me another sticker but this time a number was printed on it. The number of my booth and the order of who’ll be presenting consecutively.

I am the 12th person to be presenting.

The woman in front of me flashed a very genuine smile, “You’ll do great. Good luck!” She motioned her hands in the air, cheering up for me.

A determined smile smeared on my lips as I thanked her.

“I can do this.” I muttered softly before entering the function room.

“Wow this place is huge.” Maxwell was trailing behind me, she was given a plus-one sticker. Her lips curled up on the corner, obviously something like this fascinates her too. “Science fairs are no joke.” She added.

This is my first time joining a science fair. I had been eyeing a lot of Science fairs for the past years but I wasn’t confident enough to fully join one. However, when I saw the announcement last month in our school. I didn’t even think twice about registering and attending the seminars. I already had an idea for so long and badly wanted to take part with the fair so I just registered on the spot.

The moment I mentioned it to my sister and my mother, they too were overjoyed. Maxwell had always been a science geek, same as me. Something about ideas from scratch and making them into reality had always crossed our mind. The very reason why we want to join our grandfather in his business.

“I know, right? It’s scary and fun at the same time.” I commented as soon as I reached my display location.

We began setting up my prototype carefully and gently. I managed to set it up in an organized manner. Everything must be in a perfect place for the judges to see. So I put extra effort into designing the booth in a professional manner. And since the program doesn’t start unless all of the students who registered were done setting up, I had time to review my project.

Everyone in the function room was busy. I noticed it earlier when we were walking to my display location. Everyone was busy reviewing their reports, retesting their models and prototypes. Some were even crying as I caught a glimpse of how their prototype malfunctioned on the day of the fair.

When I saw that, there was a pain in my heart. A month long preparation and it turned out to be a failure in the end. I would be devastated if that happened to me.

“You okay?” I heard Maxwell beside me, my eyes were boring a hole to the report that I was holding. “Is it about the other students who had an error with their models?” She asked, looking around.

I could only nod as an answer.

“Chandy, You tested your prototype earlier before we even left the mansion. And after setting up, you immediately asked for me to run the test and it was successful. You’re going to be fine.” Maxwell reassured me, holding both my shoulders as she made me look at her in the eyes.

“But what if while I was presenting, an issue or error suddenly arose? I don’t want to fail this.”

I don’t want to fail dad. I had almost muttered but I managed to suppress the words.

“You’re going to do we--” Before Maxwell could even finish her words, a group of students were looking at us outside our booth.

I noticed that everyone had an annoyed and irritated look laced on their faces.

“Chandria Quinn? Isn’t she the granddaughter of the founder of Luciano Corporation?” One of them muttered, loud enough for other people in their booths to hear. I was aware that they meant to speak in a greater volume to catch the attention of others.

A girl feigned a surprise as she put a hand on her mouth, “Oh! The one who will be going to judge for today’s fair?”

A group of murmurs began to invade my ears, I noticed a protective stance from Maxwell upon hearing the gossip.

“I guess we all know who’s going to win this competition.” A boy announced, disgust was evidence in his voice as he looked at me with much hatred.

“I couldn’t believe they let her join the science fair. I bet that she let her grandfather’s employees do all the work for her.”

“She should be disqualified then.” Another one shouted.

Maxwell was supposed to say something, to defend me in the group of people that were starting to pick on me. But we heard a static then the host voice blared through the speaker.

“The science fair will start. Please get back on your respected booths. The judges are ready.” He uttered, ushering everyone back and dispersing the people who had gathered at my booth.