A Teacher's Advice

Kelly’s POV:

It was the afternoon, and the sun fought against the window’s shield as it forced itself to shine the inside of the classroom, wanting for all of us to know it’s shine. I found my eyes forcing themselves open as my consciousness noticed the quietness, the room quiet enough to put anyone to sleep. Everyone was unresponsive as the teacher asked a certain question, our minds empty as our eyes glanced at the chalkboard. There was a certain equation written on the board, the symbols applied unclear to my eyes. It seemed like I wasn’t the only one who didn’t know the answer to the question, judging by how the quietness in the room seemed to drop even more. If that was even possible.

“Kelly?” Ms. Lara’s voice boomed against the silent walls, my relaxed shoulders tensing up when I realized that she’s calling my name. I looked around slightly, growing self-conscious when I noticed how everyone’s tired eyes were fixated on me now. Past the tiredness, I could see how alert they were. Ms. Lara isn’t someone to mess with.

“Yes?” The word forced itself off my lips, myself trying to buy some time. She sent me a look that didn’t seem too pleasant before talking again. I silently sighed.

“What is the first step to this equation?” She repeated, almost looking impatient. My eyes scanned the variables and numbers, trying to find something that would give me an idea of how to answer. I saw a graph beside the equation, then noticed that it’s a quadratic equation, and a lightbulb appeared in my brain.

“We check if the equation is a positive or a negative in order to know whether the parabola should be facing upwards or downwards.” I answered, using the information that was taught to me a few years ago. She seemed pleasantly surprised, probably not expecting me to be able to answer that question. She probably wasn’t expecting anyone to answer her question.

“Great.” She smiled widely, looking satisfied as she now faced the board and explained the step that I have mentioned. My tense shoulders relaxed as I leaned my head against the window, feeling the sun’s warmth transfer itself onto my cheek, which pressed itself lightly against the window. I sighed out of relief when I noticed that we had a few minutes left, and waited patiently as the clock ticked away, complying to our wishes that related to wanting for the time to pass by fast.

As my eyes started to close, I heard the two students sitting behind me whisper, their voices so low that I myself couldn’t properly make out their words if I did not focus enough. I felt guilty for eavesdropping on them at the moment, but I certainly classified myself as a nosy person.

“Did you get any votes and likes yet?” I heard, the voice high-pitched and soft. My ears perked up at that question, now realizing what they are talking about.

“Not really. Such a bummer.” I heard the other person mutter, her voice deep in contrast. I glanced at my laptop, which sat in front of me as it stared intensely back at me, and immediately whipped off the first tab, which was full of equations and formulas, and opened a new page and typed in the website’s name as their voices started to fade. My hopeful shoulders slumped as I glanced at my profile, not finding the amount of votes and likes that I was hoping for.

The website was a website that young artists, or young people that knew how to draw in general, posted their art in. Whoever got over fifty thousand likes would have their art most likely get spread around more and get people to know about it, and their art would eventually maybe even get displayed in an art museum that was specially made for young people’s art to be placed in. I am very passionate about art, so this was a big deal to me. I felt my mood immensely drop as I stared at my laptop’s screen, bummed out.

The next thing I know, the bell rang, piercing my thoughts and ears. Despite how loud it was, my face didn’t cringe, or change into any sort of facial expression. I was too tired and sleepy to cringe.

“Make sure to complete the homework that I have assigned!” I heard Ms. Lara’s voice exclaim as everyone packed their things up. It was clear to me that no one would do the homework. No one felt like it, and not one student seemed to hear what she said as they all hurriedly walked out of the door, wanting to meet their other friends and peers.

I lazily hung my bag’s strap against my right shoulder as I picked up my laptop, then yawned loudly as I walked over to the door. Before I could leave, my feet stopped as I heard Ms. Lara’s voice behind me.

“Is something bothering you?” I heard her delicate voice call out, which made me turn around to properly face her. I looked around the classroom, and noticed how it was void of anyone at all. It was just me and her. My grip on my laptop tightened when I recalled the amount of votes that my eyes has happened to see. Fifty-Seven votes only.

“You probably heard about this certain website where young artists post their art in,” I started, admiring the doodle that I had drawn on my laptop with a black permanent marker. The almost gothic design really showed my style. She nodded as she then sat on her chair, crossing her legs as she stared at me, her bright blue orbs waiting for my lips to move. “Well, I didn’t get the amount of votes that I have hoped for.” I mumbled afterwards, disappointed.

She hummed, pushing up her thick glasses that hung against her roman nose.

“Can you tell me why do you draw? What makes you love drawing?” She asked. I felt myself lighten up a bit as soon as she asked these two questions, my passion breaking through the wall of disappointment that I have felt just moments ago.

“I love how you could display your emotions and personality by drawing, or painting.” I said, starting to smile lightly. “I also want people to recognize me. I want to be an inspiration to people.” I added afterwards. She nodded, indirectly telling me that she understood and was listening to me.

“Don’t let the amount of votes disappoint you.” She stated, making my eyebrows knit together out of confusion and curiosity. Questions of how and what started circling in my head, almost taunting me. She smiled at my perplexed expression, and continued to speak.

“I understand the fact that you do want to get recognized, and understand that you want to be some sort of inspiration to people, but in order to achieve that, you have to be extremely passionate about your art. The more passionate you are about your art, the more people would recognize your art.” She explained, gesturing with her hands, which was a major habit of hers. “If you let that small amount of votes that you got disappoint you, it will cause your passion to lessen gradually. Don’t let such a small thing decrease your motivation, sweetheart.”

My eyes widened slightly as she spoke, my ears taking in every word she’s saying intently.

“Keep posting your art regardless of the amount of votes and likes, and stay passionate. Eventually, you’ll notice a change. It might take a while, but as they say: patience is key.” She quoted at the end, finishing up her small rant. Despite how simple her explanation was, I felt this profound feeling of motivation and passion increase in me. I smiled widely at her, which gained a smile from her.

She is completely right. That disappointment shouldn’t affect me. I shouldn’t let something that small affect me greatly.

“Thank you.” I genuinely spoke to her. She shrugged as she mumbled something incoherent, then turned to face her laptop, which awaited her.

“This really made me feel better.” I said at last. She smiled at me one last time, and then the next thing I know, I’m walking down the corridor with a large smile on my face.

My math teacher might seem strict, but in just a few minutes, she has taught me something that a person like me, who gives up easily, really needed. I looked down at my laptop again, which was held with my right hand, and once again observed the lines and curves that spoke up loudly about my sense of style, and personality. I sighed out of pure content.

I think I might always listen to Ms. Lara’s lectures from now on.