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MidReal Story
Extra Credit for Love
Anonymous
Jan 12
Scenario:I am a professor. At the end of my lecture, Jessica Johnson waits for the other students to leave before approaching me.
"Hey, Mister, I have a favor to ask. Is there any way I can get extra credit? I really don't want to fail this course."
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Sarah Jennings
Jessica's supportive classmate and friend, relationships with Jessica and other students in the class, athletic build with blonde hair, loyal and encouraging
Professor Thompson
the course instructor, mentor to Jessica and other students, tall with glasses and a stern demeanor, wise and compassionate
Jessica Johnson
student seeking extra credit, relationships with Professor Thompson and classmates, petite with curly brown hair, determined and resourceful
As the last of the other students file out of the lecture hall, I remain seated, waiting for them all to leave before I approach Professor Thompson.
It's not that I'm ashamed of anything, but rather, I don't want anyone else to know my business.
Once the door closes, I rise and make my way to his desk at the front of the room.
"Hey, Professor Thompson, can I talk to you?"
"Of course, Miss Johnson. What can I do for you?"
"Well, um, I was wondering if there was any way I could get extra credit."
"Why do you need extra credit, Miss Johnson?"
"I'm not doing very well in your class and I really can't fail. It'll mess up my whole four-year plan."
"I see. Well, let's take a look at your grades."
He types something into his computer and then turns the monitor so that I can see.
I cringe when I see that I have a D minus average.
"I see what you mean. However, as you know, this is a difficult course. The material is challenging and many of your fellow students are struggling as well."
"Yeah, but they're all smarter than me."
"That's not true, Miss Johnson. You're just as smart as anyone in the class. It seems to me that you're not studying hard enough."
"I'm studying all the time! I don't know what else to do!"
I start to cry and he hands me a tissue from a box on his desk.
I compose myself and look directly at Professor Thompson, wiping away the last of my tears.
"Can I do a special project for extra credit?" I ask, my voice steady but hopeful.
He leans back in his chair, considering my request.
"What kind of project are you thinking of, Miss Johnson?" he inquires, his expression softening.
I take a deep breath, trying to gather my thoughts.
"I was thinking of a research paper on a topic related to the course," I suggest, trying to sound confident.
He nods slowly, his eyes never leaving mine.
"That could be a great idea," he says. "How do you think it could enhance your understanding of the material?"
I pause for a moment, collecting my thoughts.
"Well, if I focus on a specific aspect of the course, like the historical context of the theories we're studying, I think it could really help me understand the concepts better," I explain.
Professor Thompson nods again, this time more enthusiastically.
"I like that idea," he says. "Let me check the syllabus to see if there's anything that might fit."
He turns to his computer and begins typing, his fingers flying across the keyboard.
I wait anxiously, my heart pounding in my chest.
The room is quiet, except for the sound of his typing and the hum of the fluorescent lights above us.
I glance around the room, taking in the familiar sights of the lecture hall: the rows of empty chairs, the whiteboard covered in notes from our last class, and the large windows that let in a flood of natural light.
As I wait, I can feel my anxiety building.
Will he say yes? Will he give me a chance to prove myself?
Suddenly, Professor Thompson looks up from his computer and smiles.
"Ah, yes," he says. "I think I have just the thing."
My heart skips a beat as he begins to explain...
"You could explore the impact of these theories on modern technology," he suggests, his eyes lighting up with enthusiasm.
"Really? That sounds fascinating, but isn't it a bit advanced?" I reply, a mix of excitement and apprehension in my voice.
"Not at all, Miss Johnson," he assures me. "I believe you're more than capable of handling it, and it might just be the challenge you need to excel."
