Larren’s Comet
{Cassie’s POV}
This is my third month in the college of my dreams, I still can’t believe it’s happening. I studied for years, and made my way to the top of my class. I was smart for an “underprivileged girl” is what I was often told. Underprivileged doesn’t begin to describe the life I had before coming here, but the less these other students know, the better. I sighed as I walked to my next class, the University I go to has long corridors that seem to go forever. They’re tall, so high that the ceilings seem to graze the sky. My short stature didn’t help, I was only 4’10. I was told that the years of neglect I suffered as a child stunted my growth. This was as tall as I’d ever get, and there wasn’t really much I could do about it. The moment of remembrance passed, and soon I began my speed walk through the halls. I wore a baggy black t-shirt, and a pair of ripped jeans. My hair was down, framing my face in deep brown curls. My green eyes were pale, the color of jade. I quickly made it to my next class about a minute early and made my way to a seat, not too close to the front, and not to far in the back. The middle of the room almost never got called on.
Professor Larren was one of the greatest professors here. His research into Dark Energy and Dwarf Galaxies is what drew me to this school. As he made his way to the front of the classroom I began pulling out my books and pencils and laying them on my desk. Then of course, as if on cue, bratty Regina walked in. Her eyes darted around the room, falling on me. She made her way over, swaying her hips as she walked. “Move it Loser, this is my seat!” She shrieked.
“I’m good, there are no assigned seats, and if the professor hears you throwing your daily targeted fit, then I’m sure he’ll throw you out of class again. Sit anywhere, I don’t care, but you’re not taking my seat!” I shot back at her with a glare, then turned back to set up the rest of my things.
“You’re so smug for someone who can only afford to go here because of a scholarship!” She smirked at that, turning to the people sitting behind me, who gave a slight chuckle in return.
“Well, my scholarship was earned due to me actually having a brain, but glad to see that daddy’s money is working for you! Rich girls really just have it so hard.. they have to be plastic and stupid.” I retorted, before sitting back and crossing my legs.
“You little!” She started, moving in towards me and raising her hand to slap me, but of course this caught the attention of the Professor, who stepped up behind her and cleared his throat.
“Regina..” he sighed. “Will you ever stop being a problem for everyone else to deal with, or will I always have to kick you out of my class. One more attempt to harm anyone, in any way, and you will be expelled! Now go find a seat, anywhere but near Miss Cassianna!” He shouted.
Her skin turned pale as she ran away trying to be as small as possible. He then turned to me. “I know.. I shouldn’t fight back with her because it causes more problems.. but sometimes she deserves it..” I muttered under my breath.
He smiled down at me. “Between you and I, I’m not sure how she even got into my class.. she’s not the brightest, and she has no interest in anything to do with this class. Just remember, that genius doesn’t need to fight back, knowledge is always your greatest weapon.” He smiled before turning and making his way to the front of class.
I sat back and listened as he began his lecture, making sure to take notes. Then the time came for his pop quiz, I got to the end of my page and there it was, the last question on the page. Something that the other students called Larren’s Comet. It was a question that was asked every year, and so far no one has been able to answer it correctly. I’d been dying to finally have my turn at it. It was a question about Dark Matter, and my heart hummed in response. I answered the question with my thoughts, and what I assumed would be just as wrong as everyone else’s. I was excited to see the dreaded question, I felt I knew the answer, and that I had gotten it right, but I also felt like it was a trick question. I made all of my opinions known, and turned in my paper. The rest of the class we were told to silently review as he graded our quizzes. I read over all of my notes, and even made some side notes at where my ideology differed from his. Then the bell rang, everyone got up and packed their things leaving, and that’s when I heard Professor Larren’s shriek, I turned, as did many of the students. He was grinning from ear to ear and reading a paper.
“You did it! Someone finally answered my question, someone finally got it right! I’ve been asking this same question for ten years, and finally! Finally you got it right!” He laughed before looking up from his paper and around the classroom. Slowly making his way to me. “You did it Cassie, you answered my question!” He smiled.
I paused, shaken up a bit. “Me? I got it right?” I asked.
“There’s no way that she got it right! She’s just a stupid girl who is way out of her league!” Regina cried.
“This is incredible, in all my years.. I’ve been waiting for someone to finally answer this question. I’m happy that it was you Cassie!” He smiled, looking over the paper once more. “I need to make a call, wait here! Everyone else is free to go, I’ll see you all tomorrow!” Everyone but me and Regina filed out of the room.
