It was late in the afternoon when Alain heard his bedroom door creak open. He swiveled in his chair as Manon softly closed the door behind her and dumped her school bag onto his bed. She didn't really look at him, just pulled herself onto the bed and flopped onto her back to stare absentmindedly at his ceiling.
"Manon, what's up?" He said, trying to be casual. When he only received a shrug in response he frowned and got up from his desk to take a seat beside her on the bed. "Sit up." He told her, earning a questioning glance and a grunt of annoyance. She did, however, listen to his request.
"What do you want, Alain?" Manon moaned, her gaze trailing back to his door. Alain guessed she was debating whether or not she should make a run for it.
"Something's wrong. Did school go badly today?"
"Not really . . . It's the same as usual." She bit her lip as her voice wavered and fell quiet. Alain didn't have to probe her for more information. She could tell that he wasn't satisfied with her answer. "It's just that I work so much and I still can't seem to do as well as the other students. I try just as hard as the others on my assignments and I still barely manage to get passing grades. It isn't fair, Alain. It feels like there's something wrong with me . . ."
"You don't try as hard as the other kids do, Manon." Alain said. She started to object but he cut her off. "You try so much harder than they do. You're more passionate about learning than anyone I've ever met. It's just . . . some people have extra obstacles they need to get over."
"Obstacles?" Manon echoed, not quite understanding what Alain was trying to explain.
"Think of it this way. You're running a race and you've got weights chained to your feet, but you're expected to keep up with the other runners anyway."
"So . . . I have weights chained to me?" Manon muttered, playing the somewhat foolish movie in her head. The visual did seem to help bring some sense to what he had said.
Alain smiled softly and wrapped his arm around her shoulder, pulling her close. "Yeah, but I know that you'll do just fine. Just keep doing your best. And you can always ask Sycamore or me if you ever need help with anything."
Manon nodded, her eyes brighter than they had been when she walked in. "I will, Alain. Thank you for helping me. I think I get it now, and I'm going to keep doing my best so that one day I can get rid of those silly weights!" She gave him a quick hug before rushing out of the room with her bag. Alain watched her go, his smile falling slightly once she was out of sight.
I'm sorry Manon, but those weights will never go away . . . But I know you'll be able to handle whatever the world throws at you.