CROSS PATHS

The Glimpse

A brand new day. "Uhm," the little girl began grunting on her bed while stretching all her bones to get taller.

"Stretching as if I still have so much chance to grow. I am still young, though," the short hair little lady thought.

Well, a girl's height will stop depending on her puberty stage, usually at 14 or 15 years old. All I know is that it halts two years after puberty starts. But average, let's say it's 13. It means I might only have a year to grow taller since I am twelve. And I am now in my puberty stage, the little girl asserted with herself.

She woke up before her alarm time, whispering a short prayer before getting up. Her father thought her to be thankful every single day.

Positivity is everything.

She began to roll out of bed and then tidy up her bed. She opened the curtains, and then, Mr. sun greeted her brightly.

I love it. Another day to be grateful.

"Hi, sunshine," the girl, with the bright smile like the sun, whispered as if the sun heard her out. She proceeded to hum a song while walking towards the bathroom.

After showering and getting into her school uniform, she cheerfully moved out of her room and saw her father preparing the table for breakfast. "Good morning, papa!" She greeted all smiles. She went to give her papa kisses on his cheeks and then was assisted to sit at their small dining table.

"Good morning, my Zoe," the man greeted the kid back. "Eat all the vegetables, fish, and the egg, alright? Then you can eat your fruits later," Zoe's father has always been the sweetest man.

"I will, Papa," Zoe cheered at him as he gave the little lady that brightest smile that melts a heart. Zoe began to eat all the food her dad had prepared for her.

I was thankful that papa is very hands-on with me, Zoe thought as she saw her father do the dishes while she began to eat.

We don't live a life of luxury, but being with papa is a luxury to me. I cleaned my plate because I couldn't waste my father's money.

"All done," Zoe cheered as she showed her father her clean plate again.

When I grow up, I will do my best to give my papa the the best life. Everything he sacrificed for me, I will return to him willingly.

"Great, my Zoe," her papa stroked the top of her head, which ruined her hair, but it's alright for the little lady as long as her father is happy.

Zoe went back to her room to brush her teeth and then take her things. "I packed your lunch already. You have to move quickly, Zoe. It would be best if you weren't late for your exam," her father reminded her from the kitchen.

"Papa, it's still early, you know," Zoe complained.

"You have to be comfortable in the testing area, baby. We can't afford you getting lost on one of the biggest campuses here," again, the worried father just knows everything.

"Alright. Coming, Papa," Zoe took her eyeglasses before rushing outside her room.

Today is one fantastic day. Her school chose Zoe to represent and compete for academic excellence for sixth graders in the most prestigious schools all over the country. It's pressuring and yet exciting for the little lady. It happens yearly. She was again the representative last year. Towards the end of the school year, the school will choose one candidate from the fifth and sixth grades to represent the school.

Zoe rushed outside their house. She made sure to lock their door and then walk outside their small gate. She began to walk to the next house, ten times larger than their humble home.

Zoe saw her papa waving at her in his uniform. He was waiting for Zoe in front of the mansion.

"Come on. Buckle up already. We will just wait for ma'am Alex," her father encouraged her. Zoe nodded respectfully to her papa and then went inside the car. The large house never fails to amaze Zoe all the time. It was the home of her father's boss. And it was a dream for her to also live with her father in a large mansion like that.

Soon.

They waited patiently in front of the estate before the massive wooded door opened up, and then a beautiful lady in an expensive suit came out. She was assisted to the car, where Zoe was. The lady then sat beside Zoe in the backseat.

"Zoe! Oh my! Hi!" The lady hugged Zoe tightly. "I was waiting for you at the breakfast table earlier, but the maids told me you didn't sleep here last night," the lady who just came in pouted on Zoe.

"Good morning, Alex unnie. I am sorry, I fell asleep early last night while scanning on my notes," Zoe explained.

Alex Young, the princess of the family Young where Zoe's father is working. Her father worked for ages with the family, even before she was brought into this world.

"Oh, yeah. I forgot that my brainy little sister also needs to scan her notes before going to take the contest," Alex teasing the little lady beside her. "Tss," Alex hissed and pinched Zoe's chubby soft cheeks. "But I know you can ace that," she then coolly shot hearts and winked at Zoe, which boosted the little lady's confidence.

The Young family never treated Zoe's little family any less. They were cared for just like they were also part of their family. And Zoe was treated like their youngest sibling of the Young.

The ride was smooth. Alex told Zoe's father to drop Zoe first, and they did. Zoe's father assisted her daughter out of the car and walked towards the gate. Alex also went down to support Zoe.

"Don't forget to eat the dark chocolate I gave you before the exam. It will boost your memory," Alex reminded Zoe. "I will pick you up later. Just call me when the exams are done, okay?" Like an older sister, Zoe was being reminded by Alex.

"You can do it. Fighting," Alex didn't stop cheering for Zoe.

Zoe's father bends down to level at his daughter. "May I remind you that whatever your place will be later, I will always be proud of you, my Zoe Pauline," her father showered kisses on her forehead.

"God bless you. I love you, my baby," Zoe was showered with kisses and a warm hug from her father, which boosted her confidence more.

"Zoe," they heard her name called by someone. When they turned their head, it was Zoe's adviser.

"Go," her father pushed gently towards the teacher. Alex waved goodbye too before Zoe entered the main gate of the school.

Let's do this. Fighting! Zoe cheered herself in her head. She went inside with the brightest smile on her face because of the inspirations her dad and unnie gave her.

As Zoe and the teacher entered the vast school, they were reviewing, and as always, the teacher was amazed by how logical the kid was thinking.

Zoe was more than a regular kid. She's used to being effortlessly brilliant.

"Zoe, you go first to the testing area in the conference room beside the Science Building, okay? I will just check your registration in the administration area," the teacher instructed her.

"Yes, ma'am," Zoe politely responded before they separated.

Zoe scanned the place first. Her teacher forgot to tell her which way is the Science Building. She searched for signboards for where the testing area is. After a few minutes of walking around, she found a large school map. She took a photo because she's now in a rush.

She wanted to be in the room an hour before her exam to be comfortable, and now, she only has fifty-five minutes.

There was a bright smile on her face after taking the photo. But she thinks she's lost when she keeps on walking and walking for minutes now.

Oh my gosh! Calm your nerve, Zoe. She said before breathing in.

She checked her watch and saw that she had been walking for eight minutes now.

Good Lord, help me, she silently whispered.

As she thought, her prayers were heard, she saw a signboard again.

Science Building A ⬅

Science Building B ➡

She signed in frustration when she saw two signs going in different locations. She was there desperately looking at the boards. She has been calling her teacher, but she was out of reach.

Lord, she called out again desperately.

"Academic Excellence Exam? Conference room?" Zoe gasped. The words she been looking all around the campus for minutes now.

"Yes. Yes. Yes," she faced the person who just talked. She froze for a moment after looking at the face of the guy. He wasn't that tall. She was even a little taller. But the guy has an intimidating aura and face.

"Wipe your forehead. You are sweating a lot," Zoe got startled and got shy after the comment. She has been walking for a while now, so it explains her sweaty forehead. When she checked for her handkerchief in her pocket, she went pale when there was none.

I was just holding it a while ago, she whispered. Where is it? Did I drop it? She panicked because she couldn't live without her hankie.

What incidences are these? Her bright face turns grimaced after realizing she lost her lucky charm.

Good God.

Zoe awkwardly smiled at the guy and was about to wipe her forehead with the sleeve of her uniform when the guy suddenly talked. "Here," he offered his handkerchief.

Zoe shyly took the hankie and gently wiped her draping sweat on her forehead. "It's Building A. First floor," Zoe heard the guy say. She was processing all of the incidents that happened.

And before Zoe could even say thank you, the guy was already gone. He was quick, she thought as she scanned the place.

She rechecked her watch and ran towards the building the guy instructed. She was lucky. She got there on time.

Zoe had thirty minutes left when she reached her testing area, panting.

"Oh my, Zoe. I am sorry. Did you get lost?" The worry on her teacher's face when she saw Zoe's state.

Zoe, as the optimistic girl still smiled brightly at her teacher and said, "It's okay, teacher."

The teacher assisted Zoe to her room. She calmed down in there and meditated before the exam happened. She was shy to get friends with the other participants. She just sat there and closed her eyes.

It will be uncomfortable for me if I take the exam without my hankie, Zoe sighed in relief and crunched the cloth on her hand.

For a moment, she recalled the guy that helped her. She stared at the blue handkerchief that the guy allowed her to borrow.

They were just kids, but Zoe felt something interesting in her chest.

I am no longer tired. I calmed down a few minutes ago, but my heart is still on - pumping so much blood in my body. I can feel them rushing in my cheeks, she explained scientifically to herself.

Zoe, thankfully, was comfortable in taking the exam. After the time was up, she immediately went out to find her adviser.

However, Zoe saw the guy again. He also just went out from another examination room. Zoe ran towards the guy.

But due to the number of students coming out of the examination rooms, she lost him again.

She was now in the middle of the vast lawn of the Science Building. Her eyes were still searching for him and when she saw him again.

"Wait!" yet, she's late again. The guy just entered a car. And it drove out of the campus.

Zoe was disappointed. She then whispered, "Thank you."

Maybe, I'll see you again soon.