The long-haired girl sat pensively on the school bus. The first day back after summer break should have been a happy beginning, but not for Aletta.
She stared straight out the window, enjoying the passing scenery without really seeing it. She let out a soft breath while her parents' argument that morning continued to echo in her mind, as if refusing to let her feel at peace.
The bus finally entered the school grounds. One by one, the students got off with bright, eager faces, while Aletta stepped out without hurrying or looking around. As usual, she headed straight for the school building.
Throughout her time at the school, Aletta had hardly ever greeted anyone. Even when someone greeted her first, she would simply walk past without responding. No wonder nearly everyone at school had labeled her a stuck-up girl or the idiot. Yet no one truly knew that Aletta was simply too tired to open up.
When she reached Class 11 Social Studies 5, Aletta walked toward her desk in the corner of the room. She wasn't a student known for her academic achievements. Compared with her classmates, Aletta needed more time to understand her lessons.
And it wasn't as if she hadn't tried her hardest to be accepted at this school. She studied late into the night, forcing herself to catch up. But all that effort never seemed to be enough. In the eyes of Thom and Bianca, her own parents, Aletta was still a stupid girl who could never live up to their expectations.
Aletta stepped into the classroom. Most of the students had already arrived, filling the room with loud chatter. Ignoring them, she walked toward the desk in the very back row, her expression blank.
Aletta had never expected to earn a seat up front. Sitting in the back was much more comfortable for her. There, she could disappear into the crowd without attracting anyone's attention.
"Ugh, how did I end up in the same class as the idiot and that stuck-up girl again?" Alice remarked, deliberately raising her voice so Aletta could hear.
Alice never missed an opportunity to comment on Aletta. Whether it was her quiet nature, her grades, or simply her presence in the classroom, Alice seemed to treat making Aletta the butt of her jokes as a form of daily entertainment.
"So you'd have something to entertain you, Lic," Martha replied with a giggle. Two of their other friends immediately joined in.
Aletta heard every word clearly. But as usual, she chose to stay silent. She turned a deaf ear and kept staring straight ahead. Engaging with Alice and her group would only waste her energy. Besides, no matter what she did, they always found a reason to make fun of her.
The classroom door opened, revealing a teacher who had just walked in. The chatter filling the room gradually faded. The students who were still standing or gathered in the corners quickly returned to their desks.
The teacher was Ms. Lusi, the Economics teacher who had also been appointed homeroom teacher for Class 11 Social Studies 5 that year. Her gaze swept across the classroom before a faint smile touched her face.
"Good morning, everyone. How are you all? How was your three-week break? Fun, right?" Ms. Lusi greeted them with a warm smile.
"Good morning, ma'am! We're good!" the students answered in unison. Some of them even began telling stories about their exciting vacations, filling the classroom with laughter and enthusiasm.
Amid all the commotion, Aletta remained silent. She had nothing to tell. During the three-week break, she had spent all her time at home, helping Bi Minah or the other servants with the housework. There had been no trips, no time with her family, and certainly no memories worth bragging about.
After hearing her students' enthusiasm, Ms. Lusi raised a hand, signaling for the class to quiet down again.
"All right, now I'm going to go over some rules we need to follow for the coming year," she said.
All the students began paying attention. Ms. Lusi then explained the classroom rules, what she expected of them as their homeroom teacher, and the importance of maintaining unity among classmates. After that, she began assigning the class officers, starting with the class president, vice president, secretary, treasurer, and the other positions.
After several positions had been filled, Ms. Lusi looked over the list of names in her hand again.
"For vice president... Aletta."
The classroom instantly fell silent. Some students exchanged looks, while others gaped in disbelief. Before long, whispers and jeers began to rise from different corners of the room.
"Seriously? Her?"
"Ms. Lusi definitely picked the wrong person."
Aletta sat motionless at her desk. The surprise her classmates felt was nothing compared with what she felt. She had never even imagined becoming class vice president, let alone expected it. All this time, she had always thought of herself as an ordinary student who was barely ever noticed.
"Are you sure you want Aletta as vice president, Ms. Lusi?" Alice asked doubtfully. As the class secretary, she openly showed her disapproval.
"I'm sure," Ms. Lusi replied firmly, without changing her expression in the slightest.
Her decision was not without reason. Ms. Lusi had been observing Aletta from the beginning. Beneath her quiet demeanor, she saw a disciplined student who never caused trouble and was always responsible with her assignments. Those were qualities not necessarily possessed by the most outspoken student in the class.
Though a few murmurs of protest could still be heard, the students eventually had no choice but to accept Ms. Lusi's decision. Classes began, and before they knew it, the bell rang for the first break.
The classroom immediately grew noisy again. The students streamed out toward the cafeteria or gathered with their friends. Before long, the classroom began to empty, leaving only Aletta and Ms. Lusi, who was preparing to leave.
"Ma'am..." Aletta called softly.
Ms. Lusi stopped and turned around. "Yes, Aletta?"
Aletta lowered her head, nervously clasping her fingers together.
"If it's okay... could my position be changed? I... I'm not sure I can handle it."
Ms. Lusi smiled gently. She raised a hand and gave Aletta's shoulder a light, encouraging pat.
"You have to prove that you can do it, Aletta. From now on, try to change, okay, dear?" she said with conviction.
Aletta lowered her head, still uncertain of her own abilities.
"Listen to me. Build your confidence. When you grow up, it won't be just your grades or intelligence that carry you forward, but also the courage to believe in yourself."
Ms. Lusi smiled warmly.
"If you keep underestimating yourself, how can anyone else believe in you? I'm sure you're far more capable than you think."
Aletta let out a long breath. Ms. Lusi's words continued to echo in her mind, but her heart remained full of doubt.
It wasn't that she didn't want to change. It was just that she had lived with the belief that she wasn't good enough for far too long. She had been belittled and blamed too many times, until she began to believe all the negative judgments about herself without realizing it.
Just facing the world already felt exhausting. How could she possibly learn to believe in herself?
"There, don't burden yourself with too many thoughts, Aletta," Ms. Lusi said gently. "Take it one step at a time. I'll help you."
After offering a faint smile, Ms. Lusi walked away, leaving the classroom.
Aletta remained standing motionless. Her blank gaze was fixed on the floor while Ms. Lusi's words continued to circle through her mind. For some reason, for the first time, someone believed in her. Yet she still couldn't do the same for herself.
I have to prove that I can do it, Aletta thought.
For the first time in a long while, a glimmer of determination appeared in her heart. Maybe the road ahead wouldn't be easy. Maybe she'd be belittled and looked down on again. But this time, she wanted to try.
Not to prove to other people that they were wrong, but to prove to herself that she wasn't as bad as she had always believed.