Snapped

Please have a seat Miss Park.” My teacher gestured to the uncomfortable chair across from her. The office itself was a dark place where many students’ dreams were crushed in the palm of Mrs Choi’s hand. She wasn’t a forgiving person, she decorated her room according to her heart, cold and dark.

It’s a shame, really.

When you first meet her you can’t get over how beautiful she is. She holds herself to the standards of a god, so much so that you almost believe she is one. Everyone knows it is a priveledge to be taught by someone so powerful in this field...

But lordy does she have the meanest disposition of any person on planet Earth! She has rightly earned her nickname around the University as the Nightmare. And now it’s my turn to face her.

Someone, give me strength.

I quickly sat down in front of her. The chair was lower to the ground than expected, like the legs were shortened so I had no choice but to look up at her. She kept her eyes trained on me, the glasses on her nose not serving any filter for her icy stare. The temperature in the room dropped suddenly as she dropped my file on her desk. My throat became dry.

Here it goes.

“So, (y/n). I must say, going through your folio I’m thoroughly...” Here it comes, I’m a goner. “... impressed with the standard of work you’ve produced.”

Wait, what?

“Usually students at your level produce sub par work, but I can tell you have a very good eye for this. You are able to capture the raw essence of the world, I like that.” I’m sorry, is she smiling!? “Miss Park!” I snapped out of my gobsmacked expression to see an impatient teacher glaring back at me. Well, that was short lived.

“Sorry, um, thank you so much Mrs Choi. It means a lot to hear your praise about my work.” I did my best not to break into a grin, I wanted to show her I was respectable. I think she could see through me though, she had this weird ability to be able to read poeple with a look. She cleared her throat.

“Yes, well, I definitely think you could come to graduate top of the class. But that will depends on your internship this year.” Ah, the internships. Very few get to stay on to do them, and only the best survive them. I’ve heard stories about how interns get treated in the professional industry, they aren’t pretty. Nevertheless, I had my hopes up for an internship with one person and one person only. “Have you done any research into who you might want to intern with? The earlier you submit your request, the more likely you are to get them. Plus you need a recommendation letter from me.”

“Well Ma’am, I do have someone I really want to shadow.”

“Good. Who is it?”

“Lee Ayame.”

Mrs Choi burst out into a ferocious laughter. She lunged forward against her desk, tears poured from her eyes. It was a whole-hearted laugh.

Nice to know my dreams are that funny.

It was a while before Mrs Choi finally regained her composer, which by that point the dams were ready to break. She looked at me but I avoided looking back. “Listen kid, don’t take it the wrong way. Did you do your research?”

“Of course.”

“Then you should know, Lee Ayame doesn’t take interns. Many have tried but she always says no. Have you got anyone else?”

I looked back down at my lap, twiddling my fingers mindlessly. I heard Mrs Choice sigh.

“I’ll tell you what, I’ll write you that recommendation for her, but only because I see a potential in you that I haven’t seen in a long time.” I lifted my head, eyes shining in hope and glee. “But, if you intend on pulling this off, you need to toughen up. She is not going to tolerate a teary eyed girl every time you screw up, and you will screw up.”

Ouch.

I nodded my head vigorously. Scratch that. I stood up and started bowing lowly towards Mrs Choi. “Thank you so much Ma’am. I promise, I won’t disappoint you, I’ll rise to every challenge.” I grabbed my bag and quickly race out of her office. When the door was closed properly I couldn’t hold it anymore.

“YES!”

Students stared at me from all angles. Most gave me dirty looks, knowing which office I came out of, others were confused. I slowly lowered my arms from the air and sheepishly smiled at everyone. They all just continue staring so I decided to just leave the hall myself.

That was a real turn of events. I can’t believe that actually happened. My dreams start right now.