John’s conflict

Confidence has never grown naturally for John.

Years of education, countless hours of studying, missed parties, girls unkissed, opportunities untaken… All for this moment.

And he can’t even answer the first question.

John knows the answer, he knows it better than anyone. That’s not the issue.

The answer had been given to him whilst in the right place at the wrong time.

He never asked for the opportunity. It came to him without his permission.

Yesterday, he had a paper due before the end of the day and being the procrastinator that he is, he handed it in three hours later.

There was no answer as he knocked on the door.

He pushed the door open, stepping into a poorly lit and empty classroom.

Certain places in the world are meant for a larger audience.

A weight of judgement suffocated him, the heavy lack of presence somehow indicating he was being watched. His belly felt like rubber as a sudden gut instinct told him he had no right to be there. As if he was walking in another man’s shoes, this was not meant to be, this was not his path.

He proceeded to the front desk, almost leaping forward, his body portraying his reluctance to being there. He placed his homework…