Even Top Students Fail

Homeward Bound

The train from Cambridge to New Haven usually takes just over two hours. Despite the short trip, the packed holiday crowd made for an unpleasant ride.

Jennifer had shooed David away, choosing to sit with Lilith instead. David, having apparently upset Jennifer earlier, carefully placed a big snack bag on their table. Jennifer just rolled her eyes.

Lilith looked up at David, who bowed slightly with a pleading look before slinking back to his seat. He could've swapped seats easily, but Jennifer's glare stopped him.

Once David left, Lilith teased, "What's up? You two fighting?"

Jennifer ripped open the snack bag, handing one to Lilith and taking one herself. "Who'd dare argue with him? His fangirls could form a soccer team by now," she said sarcastically.

David had been class president in high school and kept the role at university. The college position meant more work, but came with perks like priority for party membership and scholarships.

Even with a gorgeous girlfriend like Jennifer, David's skills and student council position made him popular with other girls. Recently, someone had tried to cause trouble for Jennifer, finally pushing her over the edge. Instead of confronting the girl, she lashed out at David. He'd been tiptoeing around for two weeks, still unable to win her forgiveness.

"Still mad at him? It's not like you don't have admirers. Didn't someone confess with roses outside your dorm recently?" Lilith smiled.

"Let's drop it. It's annoying. How've you been lately?" Jennifer changed the subject.

Lilith said she'd been doing well. Her exams went smoothly, and she felt sure about getting a scholarship next year. She'd recently published a paper which, though not in a major journal, would boost her extracurricular scores significantly.

Jennifer leaned in close, whispering, "We're planning to move out of the dorms after freshman year."

Though Jennifer was mad at David now, it was clearly just a temporary spat. Their current dorm was an old apartment with poor facilities, housing eight per room. With their comfortable living allowance, Jennifer and David had been thinking about renting a place together.

"You're overthinking," Lilith said, noticing Jennifer's slight blush. "I was just thinking tutoring must pay well if you can afford rent."

The girls chatted about part-time jobs, scholarships, and future plans. As they neared their stop, David occasionally squeezed through the crowd to check on them.

At the station, David rushed over to carry Jennifer's bag. At the bus stop, he ushered her onto the bus like royalty. Lilith smiled to herself as she boarded her own bus, heading home with thoughts of the eventful journey and the upcoming holiday.

Lilith returned home today. Her parents, Louis and Maria, had planned to pick her up, but urgent business regarding the demolition of Lilith's old family house came up. They had to attend a meeting about compensation a crucial matter. Since the train station wasn't far, Lilith decided to make her own way back.

Due to a slight delay, Louis and Maria were already home when Lilith arrived. Louis remained composed, but Maria beamed with joy. As Lilith walked in, Maria rushed to take her suitcase, exclaiming, "Lilith, guess how much we're getting for our old house?" Without waiting, she blurted, "Over two million, including money and property! Thank goodness we listened to you and your father. You're our little lucky charm." She pinched her daughter's cheek, radiating happiness.