The Sunflower in Winter [CPN]

Chapter 3

I can hear you guys, you know.

The student frowned as he rested his head on the table.

Listening to the critics from the class had become a routine,

a background noise that he tried hard to tune out. 

But it was harder to tune his classmates out that morning.

Having to work part time last night took away more of his energy than expected.

He desperately wanted to sleep

but the voices were too loud.

Forget it. I shall rest during lunch later.

With that, he sat up, ready to face the castigating looks of his classmates.

But no one had dared to face him upfront,

so as if right on cue, the whispering stopped 

and everyone pretended to look busy.

Losers.