That Portrait

CHAPTER 2 THE ACADEMY

The Green Horizon Academy.

Our school is a famous and prestigious one in town due to its good reputation since then. They always rank number 1 on any sports and also academically. Not only did the school aces anything, the school is also known for how they value their students. There are programs and even rules that were made by students!

For example is the no dress code policy. Students can freely express their fashion going to school. But my most favourite program that was made by students is every end of the school year, all students have this 5-day bazaar where there is a lot of things to do, play, learn, show! It's like a reward for students for surviving the academic year.

Somehow, I can say that this school is not only academically active but it also assures that students can have fun also.

Oops! I forgot to say my most favourite out of my most favourites about GHA (Green Horizon Academy). It is the only Academy in town of Troy that allows students to pick and arrange the monthly retreat/fieldtrip that the school has for Sophomore Students EXCLUSIVELY.

Yes, you read it right, MONTHLY.

Amazing, isn't it?

When I heard that when I was still a Freshie, I badly want to be a Sophomore right away!

Well, I admit it that I am an ambivert, combination of an Extrovert and Introvert. But hello?? It is interesting and exciting, isn't it?

We got to travel different places with different stories to tell!

These activities will surely lessen our stress and exhaustion in our Academics!

Like a break from everything! A vacation that is not guilt-tripping to do because it is productive, we know that we will also learn from it.

Now I also wonder where will it be this time because the last time, we went to an Ancient Park to study it's History.

I hope we can go to the place I have never been.

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Just like any other day at school, time passed by as I go to my classes. I am walking in the hallway of our main building to go to my next subject in my morning schedule which is the Philosophy subject and I can't help but relate myself to these frowning students that I bump into.

I don't know, but majority of the students in this hates going to their classes because for then it is the most boring thing to do.

Well I can't blame them because we spend the 8 hours of our day in this Academy. 2 hours for Major Subjects and 1 hour for the Minor Subjects. We have at least 2 Major Subjects everyday and I can say that it is somehow tiring for the brain si I can't really blame them.

But fun fact about me is I don't get boring in my classes. At all.

Sometimes if I didn't get enough sleep, I will go to school in a bad mood that's why sometimes I will space out in my class.

But overall, I like going to school because of the reason that you can learn variety of things that surrounds us every single hour!

Imagine going to your different classes and learn different and extraordinary things in just a day? How awesome is that?

Anyway, going back on my subject, this is my favourite subject as a Sophomore because this is where all the logics and also what ifs takes place.

From the famous Philosophers who offers views or theories on profound questions in ethics, metaphysics, logic, and even other related fields to the application of these in real world.

You may ask my favourite Philosopher is, it is Socrates. I love his Socratic Method of teaching which is learning new things by simply asking different questions and considering different opinions.

I mean it is so critical to listen and consider other people's opinion especially on things you are not familiar with, right?

And coming from my own perspective who loves learning new things, why don't we involve the knowledge of other people to also help us gain new informations.

We live in a modernized era where we are easily influenced by others by the help of technology so why don't we use this to learn new and relevant things that will help us and also others to grow.

Wow where did those words come from?

Did I take my medicine before leaving home?

Just kidding.

I have this side of mine where I would really spend my time thinking about positive what ifs.

Well I know there might me more negative what ifs in our minds but I don't usually focus or invest myself on those because I know that I would just make myself sad.

I am somehow a positive thinker when it comes to making decisions whilst experiencing sad or worst things.

I leaned how to control my emotions at this age.

Whoa, whoa! I do really talk a lot, don't I?

As I sat down my armchair, my Professor came to start his class. I am glad I'm not late because this Professor is a strict one.

He values time more than the feelings of his students. Maybe because he is still single despite his old age that's why he is very short-tempred.

Gosh Eula! You are so judgemental!

"Good afternoon, class" Mr. Eugene said.

"Good afternoon Mr. Paul" we politely said while still sitting.

He prefers us to call him on his first name because he said that his surname is like Mr. Krab's name on SpongeBob which is totally relatable. Eugene Krabs.

"I hope that the short term vacation didn't affect your memories in my lesson last time. Let me do a little recall on what we tackled last time." Mr Paul.

"When you are one of the judges in a debate, it is crucial to not be biased in judging and observing the debaters. In terms of thinking, in Philosophy, there are two types on how you think. The Holistic Thinking and the Partial Thinking." He then stated.

Oh I remembered that!

"Holistic thinking is a way of thinking about systems that take into account large-scale patterns whereas Partial thinking concentrates on particular parts of an issue." Mr. Paul continued.

"In short, Holistic Thinking is thinking about the whole story while Partial is just the parts. Obviously from their words, you can already identify their description or meaning.

I want to relate the Holistic and Partial Thinking to the real world, as what I have observed in this generation, once there is an issue surrounding internet, Gen Zs' are so into the issue that sometimes they forgot that they do not know what really happened. They forgot to think about the point of view of other people's involved. They just know the PARTS if the story.

In short, we should not let our emotions control us if we don't know the whole story. Basic thinking. Do not get involved if you know nothing. Or just simply do not engage to other people's problem and mind your own." He confidently said.

"Now I want you all to write on a sheet of paper on what is your experience that the Holistic Thinking is involved and also the Partial Thinking. Make it brief." He uttered.

"I remember something embarrassing." My female seatmate murmured while smiling.

I just chuckled on her.

We all began to write something on our papers.

The bell rang sign of our class dismissal and everyone passed their papers to Mr. Paul and I am the one left.

I gave my paper to Mr. Paul and he looked at my answers and looked at me with his eyebrows raised and then to my answers again.

He always do that to me. I don't know if he is annoying me or what! I feel like he is judging my whole existence in my answers!

I walked out of our room and went straight to rest room.

"Girl are you really sure about this?" A girl asked as if she is talking to someone.

"I can't take it anymore! I think I am in love with him and I think he also loves me so I will confess my love for him." Another girl answered.

I am in one of the cubicles inside the rest room and I think they don't know that I'm here because I was ahead of them.

"Hey! He is your Professor for God's sake! And you know the rule, a student-teacher relationship is restricted in this Academy!" The girl said with a worried but careful tone.

"We can be couple in private until I graduate. I will make things work. You know that I am good at secrets." The girl said again with determination.

"You are so stubborn. Just make sure that you will not trouble yourself because if that happens, both of you will be kicked from this Academy. Got it?"

"I definitely got it!" The girl exclaimed.

I got out of the cubicle as soon as they went outside.

OMG! I am pretty sure that the girl's voice is her! The girl who said that he is in love with a Professor.

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There is obviously nothing wrong to fall in love.

As an NBSB girl, I never blame love for being wrong, I believe it is the lover who you will fall for!

Of all people, why on your Professor dear?

I frowned on my thought.

After a long day, I hopped on my bed and felt the softness of it.

Best feeling ever!