Chemistry
"That same year, some months later, I had some highly enjoyable chemistry lessons, in which we were taught simple experiments. My classmates were evidently bothered by the fact that I could seldom keep my hand down, for I actively participated in the lessons, and nearly always knew the correct answer to my teacher's questions. Chemistry had become my favourite subject, and I aspired to know as much about it as thirteen-year-old me possibly could. I didn't care as much for some of the other subjects, such as English or History, but Chemistry… that was entirely different. I had developed quite a passion for it. Apparently, my enthusiasm during lessons greatly annoyed some of my classmates, and a group of bullies had, as I later found out, plotted to play a prank on me to amuse themselves…
"One evening, I returned to my dormitory that I shared with a colleague, who, during that week, was absent due to illness, so I had the room all to myself. As I walked in, I realized the room was filled with the most sickening stench you could possibly imagine. I found out it was a foul trick, due to someone having placed a plate with rancid butter into the corner of the room. Apparently, somebody was trying to be funny… I was angered, but, as I did not think it worth the effort to tell the teachers, I made certain I disposed of the plate outdoors, and kept my window wide open the entire night, and morning after that. Thankfully, the stench was cast out by then, and the boy who shared the room with me didn't return to school until another four days had passed. Undoubtedly, the ever so clever pranksters took his temporary absence into consideration as they had been concocting their plan to disgruntle me. They had of course succeeded; but I swore not to show any outward signs of being offended by their silly prank, and ignored their giggles during the next Chemistry lesson. It seems that they had paid attention to our teacher while he was explaining to us the horrendous effects of butyric acid.
"Anyway, this didn't keep me from continuing to actively participate in Chemistry classes, and I was lauded by our teacher when I, as the only student, succeeded at an experiment we were assigned to conduct under his supervision. After that lesson, I recall, he asked me to remain in the lab for a few minutes, as he wanted a word with me. He told me that he was impressed by my talent and precise approach to the assignment, and wondered whether I took a deeper interest in Chemistry outside school. I told him that I did, which little surprised him, and he advised me to keep up with my efforts, saying that perhaps one day, I would become a chemist if I pursued this interest in the future.
"Indeed, his prediction turned out to be correct. Though the years at the boarding school were often tough, I had gained much confidence in my abilities, and was no longer dreading any kind of derision from my nastier peers. I graduated with honours, and was prepared to face anything then, for I had realized that I possessed a certain gift on an intellectual level which would make my life considerably easier. Relieved that I could finally leave that rather confining institution, I was greatly looking forward to the freedom of University. Without much consideration, I decided to matriculate at Oxford for studies in chemistry.
