The ping of Messenger on his phone was relentless, but every time it chimed,


    Emmitt would nce over, only to feel a pang of disappointment, his heart sinking a bit more each time.


    Taking a deep breath, Emmitt tried to swallow the lump in his throat. Some connections, once severed, were gone for good. Irreparable.


    He rubbed his face in frustration and bitterness before setting his phone aside. The lively sound of fireworks outside seemed to fade, and despite the warmth of the heating, an inexplicable chill settled over him.


    Just then, his phone buzzed twice more with Messenger notifications. Knowing it might only heighten his sense of loss, Emmitt couldn''t help but pick it up again.


    With a tentative tap, he opened Messenger and saw Mirabe''s message: "Thanks, Emmitt." Instantly, the cloud of negativity that had been looming over him dissipated. He held his phone for a long while, a smile recing his frown, deciding not to reply.


    Even though he knew Mirabe was just being polite, it was still the first thing to genuinely lift his spirits in the new year.


    The winter break flew by, and before they knew it, the second semester of senior year had begun, with finals looming just over three months away.


    Back at school, Mirabe''s Literature score saw a significant bump in the first monthly test, nearly twenty points higher, especially in her essays andprehension questions.


    Her teacher, thrilled with her progress, handed her extra past papers to work on. Despite grumbling about the workload, Mirabe took them in stride, her face noticeably slimmer from the stress as finals approached.


    Thirty days before the finals, Mirabe was called into Principal Ate''s office.


    “Mirabe, with finalsing up, we''re organizing a motivational talk by alumni from Prestige College, including some who graduated from Parkside High. Though you''re new here, your performance has been outstanding, so we''d like you to prepare a speech as a student representative," Ate exined gently.


    Mirabe blinked in surprise. "Me? Speak at the event?"


    "Yes, you''re representing your ss. Give it your best shot!" Ate encouraged.


    "Can I... decline?" Mirabe hesitated.


    "Why would you want to?" Ate was taken aback. "It''s a great opportunity, and we''re filming it too. It''ll be good for you."


    After a pause, Ate added, "If you''re worried about the speech, draft


    something, and I''ll help you refine it."


    Mirabe was silent for a moment before responding, "It''s not that.”


    "Then what''s the issue?" Ate was puzzled.


    Clearing her throat, Mirabe confessed, “You gave me ten sets of past papersst time. I haven''t finished them yet."


    Ate was momentarily speechless.


    "Ms. Ate, I have to work through the papers you so kindly provided, prepare


    for the speech, and practice it. I''d feel really guilty if I messed up and embarrassed you," Mirabe said earnestly,ying out her concerns.