Complications

Chapter Seven – Preliminary Exam

"You mentioned her father?" Pascal squeaks, sitting at the kitchen counter in their worn down, rented house, Vidcund appearing rather troubled in front of him, "Man, you're lucky you're still alive!"

"I know," Vidcund replies, his face filled with pain as he gives a small sigh, "I shouldn't have done it. It was a lapse in judgment, and I feel horrible about it," he vents, his eyes trailing to the floor, "She's never going to forgive me."

"Eh, you never know, she may get desperate," Pascal says. At this, Vidcund immediately looks up and glares at him.

"You know you're really not helping," he states, before letting out another heavy sigh and wandering out of the kitchen.

"Okay, everyone, it's the moment you've all been waiting for!" Pascal announces, early Tuesday morning, his entire Physics 575 discussion section actually looking interested in what he has to say for once, "It's time to pass out the preliminary exam for the Sim State Physics Team!" Pascal exclaims, "Surprisingly all eight of you have been selected to participate this semester, which makes me very proud as a first-time teacher," Pascal states, stopping slightly to wipe away a fake tear.

"Oh God, please don't get all weepy on us!" Loki calls out from the front table.

"Anyway," Pascal continues, "The four students in this course who score the highest on this fifteen-minute exam will join this year's physics team. And whoever answers the most questions correctly on the exam will be awarded the coveted position of team leader!" he emphasizes, throwing his hand up in the air, "So, are there any questions before I hand out the exams?"

Loki shakes his head. "Just hand them out already!"

"That's not a question," Pascal adds, raising his finger up in point. Loki rolls his eyes. Across from Loki, Vidcund is attempting to get Circe's attention, but the young woman turns towards the wall. Vidcund looks down at the floor and sighs. "Alright then. Here we go!" Pascal announces, approaching the front table and passing out the exams.

The next day, Professor Benjamin Irma is standing in front of his desk, hanging onto the sheet of card stock that has the list of students that have been selected for the Sim State Physics Team. "Okay, everyone, before we pack up for today, it's time to announce the results of the preliminary exam," Professor Irma begins, fiddling with the card a bit as he stares down at his attentive students, "The four students who have been selected for the Sim State Physics Team are: Loki, Cassandra, Circe, and…" Vidcund holds his breath, hoping to hear his name, "...Steven," Professor Irma completes; Vidcund's face falls. "Congratulations to everyone who made the team and to those of you who even participated in the examination in the first place. Believe me, the test is quite challenging," he remarks, "For those of you that made the team, team meetings will be held every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at six o'clock in Room 332 at Waterford Hall," Professor Irma tells them, before turning back to the rest of his students, "For next class, read chapters twenty and twenty-one in your textbooks. If there are no further questions, class is dismissed."

Vidcund watches as Circe jumps up out of her seat and races over to Loki before he can even open his mouth to speak. "Oh my God, Loki, this is amazing!" she cries, "I can't believe we made the team!"

"Really?" Loki quips, tilting his forehead slightly, "I can," he beams, "We're brilliant!"

Vidcund stands up from his seat, his legs shaking as he approaches her. If he didn't make the team, the least he could do is congratulate someone who did. "Congratulations Circe-"

"Save it, Vidcund. I'm done with you!" Circe snaps, dismissing him without a second thought and storming out of the room. Loki turns to Vidcund, giving him a small shrug, before immediately following his girlfriend.

Vidcund steps backward, accidentally knocking into his desk in the process. His books fall to the floor. He groans and throws his hands up, completely unaware of the fact that his professor has been watching the entire scene unfold from the blackboard, "Of course!" Vidcund outcries, crouching down on the floor to clean up the clutter.

"Mr. Curious," Professor Irma states, giving a sympathetic gaze at his student as he approaches him, "I do hope the results of the preliminary exam didn't leave you feeling discouraged," he begins, "I think you have a lot of potential in physics."

"Really?" Vidcund squeaks, stopping his clean-up for a moment to shoot a disbelieving stare, "But I'm not even in the top half of the class!"

Professor Irma nods, his hands behind his back, "True," he states, "but grades are not always an indication of brilliance. You have something that many of these other students lack: perseverance," Professor Irma reveals, "Believe me, if you don't have that, you won't get anywhere."

Vidcund sighs, holding all his books in his arms, "Good to know."

"Yes," Professor Irma nods, noticing the disheartening look that is spread on Vidcund's face, "Mr. Curious, I know this isn't any of my business, but you appear to have taken a liking to Ms. Salamis, is that correct?" he asks.

"Yeah, I guess," Vidcund mutters, feeling a slight blush glowing on his cheeks, "But she's kinda dating someone academically better than me."

"Ah," Professor Irma replies, "I assume you mean Mr. Beaker?" Vidcund nods, "There will always be a Loki in your life, Vidcund, but don't let that drag you down. You can accomplish much more than you can even imagine," he concludes, this situation feeling oddly familiar. "I trust I will continue to see you in class then?"

Vidcund nods, "Yeah."

"Good," Professor Irma states, "Make sure to do the assignment. Something tells me there's going to be a quiz on it Monday," he smirks, giving a wink before exiting the lecture hall.

Late Monday afternoon, after the three GSTs have collected all the quizzes, Professor Irma approaches the front of the room and claps his hands together. "Alright, everyone, I have one more announcement to make before class is over," he declares, staring out at his students. "After much consideration, the Sim State Physics Department has decided to make a few small changes to this year's physics team," he says, this announcement immediately catching everyone's attention, "The other physics professors and I felt that the students with the highest marks on the exam and in this course weren't necessarily the best fit for the team," Professor Irma reveals, starting a pace around the room, "A good team needs to be well-rounded, have depth, and has to be able to work together closely to achieve success. They also need to be fully dedicated to the team," he adds, turning towards the young woman in the second row and holding his hand out. "Cassandra," Professor Irma addresses, "I appreciate your honesty regarding this topic and am proud of you for turning down a commitment you knew you couldn't keep. That being said, Craig, the first alternate, will be taking your place."

Loki and Circe exchange puzzled glances with each other from the first row, unable to believe what they are hearing.

"Of course," Professor Irma continues, "it would be foolish to completely disregard the highest scoring student in both the history of the class and the entrance exam, so Loki will be a part of the Sim State Physics team. And yes, Mr. Beaker," Professor Irma states, stopping in front of the trouble young man, "you will be the leader," Loki raises an eyebrow, "Hopefully, this is a position you will fully earn in time, because it takes a lot more than mere intelligence and quick thinking to be a good leader."

"Says you," Loki mutters as Professor Irma departs from his desk.

"The third spot on the team will go to the student who has shown the most drive this semester," Professor Irma announces, making a fist with his hand and cupping it with the other. "Someone who just has that spark – that determination to crush all the competition in their path. Every great team has a competitor like that, and this year, ours will be Ms. Salamis," he proclaims, Circe grins and nods in agreement from the first row.

"But a true indication of character and a trait that makes a great teammate is one who never gives up," Professor Irma continues, stopping beside the blackboard, "Someone who always fights against adversity against all odds. That is why the last spot on the team will go to the student who has improved the most this semester: Mr. Curious," he states, turning towards the student and giving a small nod, his eyes shining down on him. Vidcund freezes up, his mouth slightly agape in shock. Professor Irma steps forward and taps his fist on Vidcund's desk, "Class dismissed," he beams smugly.