Reconnect with the Painted Houses

In Amber Delaimi's Point of View "Read the question again, Amber!" If I ever hear those words one more time, it might be the thing that finally tips me over the edge. I have been on the edge since I woke up this morning with a headache sent directly from the pits of hell, so the last thing I need right now is more pressure from my tutor, Professor Adam Younes. I focus on suppressing my stress that I continuously receive as of currently, like I do in every tutor session when he makes it his mission to push me to - well, more than my limits. It is his dedication to make the best out of all of his students, which is a key factor that makes him such a successful tutor that he is today. Throwing my books at him is something that should stay in my imagination. "You are being slow, Amber Delaimi!" He yelled as he walked past my table. "Slow ladies do not get to the ranks!" What did I say about throwing my books at him? "Come on, Amber. I know you can do more than this. Put in some more effort, like you seem to always do." Ali snickers. Ali Ajello is one of the best students International Hellenic University has to offer. When I was offered a spot at IHU and my friend was not, Ali was luckily there, and we became a pair. This is our third year together and our third year of preventing our asses from getting kicked out of the ranks. I have a theory that Professor Adam is a spy from another country. I do not have evidence, and my theory is not well-developed. Not developed at all, actually. But sometimes, when he reminds me to straighten my spine or lift my chin, I could have sworn that a slight accent different to French slips out. Which is peculiar for a man from France. Haldis is someone from our class - someone very close to Professor Adam in a relative level, a superstar from her past school. Even now, she appears delicate and controlled, and she does everything with such grace it's hard to believe she can shout really loud. Her brown hair is always pulled back into a tight bun, which accentuates her high cheekbones, and she's always wrapped tight in her signature green wool coat, which Ali thinks is where she hides all of her secrets. There was a rumor going around about where she was supposed to go to the essay competition with her partner, Hamza. Hamza and Haldis were practicing too often. But we did not know what happened to them before the competition, and what could even be the reason for them to be eliminated. Apparently, Haldis is Professor Adam's daughter and is probably the reason why he has been in a bad mood when it comes to most, if not all, of his students. My thoughts faded back to the tutor session as Ali and I passed our papers that were both given and due in today's tutor session. When we finally heard a single clap, I heaved a sigh and looked toward what would undoubtedly be the cause of an additional headache. I had not even started to empty my head out when Professor Adam's blue eyes locked on me and narrowed. "It is strange that you seem to have misunderstood this part of our topic today, Amber. If you are not going to improve soon, you might slow yourself down for this year." Aside from Professor Adam, successfully memorizing all medicinal terminologies but failing where it was necessary is the current bane of my existence. I have been studying for God knows how long, but I cannot quite manage to nail it. Ali can execute it flawlessly, but I could not, when my confidence was the reason I convinced Professor Adam to include the topics to the papers in today's tutor session in the first place. Confidence is such a foolish thing. It is incredibly foolish when it comes to studying, since when you get something wrong, you bounce back to your insecurity. I would take dramatic over the annoying, fake disappointed face Ali pulls any time it is suggested for other Nursing subjects to be taken out of our tutor sessions. "I will catch up, Professor," I said with as much fake enthusiasm as possible. "I am getting there; it may not be perfect today, but I will keep on studying it." It is a minor lie, a harmless one. Well, I am getting there. What I have failed to mention is I ought to get there, specifically because I am attached to the reason that helps me get to where I am now. "She is getting there," Ali says, throwing an arm around my shoulders. "Just a bit longer, Professor Adam." It was nice for Ali to be at my side, especially in front of Professor Adam. Professor Adam only muttered something inaudible and waved us off. "I will see you two back here tomorrow, and if you could both not have headaches, that would be great. Understood?" "Yes, Professor Adam," we said in harmony. Ali is staring at his phone, waiting for me in the lobby when I finally exit the room. "I f*****g told you I would flunk today." I groaned, swinging my bag towards him as soon as I was close enough to hit him with it. "I did not even remember anything!" He grunts at the impact, tugging the bag from my hands and flinging it over his shoulder. Like most things in life, studying is far easier when you are a man because nobody is checking on you more than twice a day. Freshman year, I gained the freshman 4.0 GPA. I have tried to stick to my study plan religiously since, with the odd fun here and there to keep me clear-headed. One of my friend's twentieth birthday yesterday was the perfect opportunity to let loose a little, even if it did mean meeting Professor Adam with a headache.