"Wind sputtered hurriedly, no match for the forceful hails over the entire village as the storm grew and thundered. The rain poured. Flooded streets. Drained Carriges.
The people of Fendale took vigorous rain as a good omen; Extremely rare it was, for it to rain in Fendish drought however as the lightning struck South, it wasn't that hard to predict the fatal ending that was taking Lest France by storm...pun intended .
The hail was so strong that it swept many homes away whilst the floods grew bigger .What unfortunate disasters for the people's homes trashed with many fatal deaths in just one evening , any ray of hope tarnished as-"
"This...that's your big speech huh?" Mr Williams interrupted in an indifferent yet cold tone as he 's face lay upon his left hand, right clicking a red pen.
"I ask you to write a 27 page essay on hurricane D65 that took place in 1265 Lest France correct? First paragraph and yet you already sound persistently ridiculous." he added.
Iris felt like sinking into the floor. Anxiety, embarrassment and fear was all she felt at that moment, as the entire hall had eyes on her, her eyes started becoming watery.
" Sir William, I -i , may I please start again...in a proper m-."
" Most definitely not. You may...not because from the beginning , it already sounds ridiculous. I will remind you Miss Antwood that your freshman placing here is by proficient standings. My nine year old would articulate himself a master's better than you. Khiel University is not for amatures like Harvard breeds; they produce millionaires and we? Intelligent machines. I expect nothing but levels higher than 'the best'." He ended, shooing Iris away.
Iris bowed at the head lectures on stage and walked towards her seat. The walk back resembled the walk of shame, but like any other high end, wealthy institution, no one cared enough to stare. It was yet another day for students brutality academically roasted.
Iris' assigned seat was far behind the podium, she sat next to Lucky Miller, the boy who'd lessen her shame. It will make sense in a minute.
Luckily Dean Miller was up next, known for he's lack in atom comprehension...implying he could not humanely understand anything tangible. Anything. Being Mr Williams nephew however defined otherwise.
"Go Nepo Baby!" One person remarked inaudibly.
After four hours of the three fourths of orals to be completed, the eleven-hundred seated in Gravin Hall were dismissed, Iris being one of the first to rush out.
Iris Antwood, remarkable by humane nature was known to being unknown like the rest of the thirty-three thousand enrolled at Khiel University. She gracefully tredded the world like a whisper; quiet yet with anticipation to let her voice lightly fill the earth. Her eyes carry a spark that developed from the cheery walls of the white and cream brown wooden house up Corlette street.
Being the middle child of four other siblings, life always felt like being stuck between a pillow and a rock. This meant experiencing the stereotypical pains and advantages that either youngest or elder had to endure whilst at time it felt like being overlooked. Nevertheless Iris couldn't ask for her childhood to be any other way. Her life as a whole being the living proof of the God she served; Perfect weird noisy family, publishable grades, dream university and...well not romantic love, Yet.
The road back home was icey due to the decline in weather. It was during spring season in Reyn Falls however just like the Fendale story, the weather had a mind of its own.
Iris' absolute flop in literature kept replaying in her head and for a moment she wished she could've cooked up some comeback. 'A nine year old would've definitely not gotten into a master's degree in literature' she pondered.
Iris drove thirty not only to ensure her safety but the safety of other cars around. Idea 25 played loudly through the radio, enlightening Iris to dive into a fantasy world were she played the whimsical piece in the middle of a flower field. The sound of notes were a perfect depiction of spring if put into a song.
Iris hummed the song as she made a right turn after the stop sign when she heard a loud thud at the back.
The car came to a halt as Iris breathed in deep breaths hoping she was not hit. This is was her mother's car to which she landed her only when she worked from home. Iris noticed a white Volvo parked right behind her with the navigation lights on indicating for other cars to pass. She positioned her glasses and stepped out of the car, each step towards the Volvo driver taunting her as she hoped it was not anything dire. 'Could this day get any worse?' She thought.
"I am so sorry for hitting your car, I was on an important call, I put you in so much danger. Please forgive me. See I'm late for one prominent event so how about this" the man said, who looked to be in his late twenties with one striking appearance in his black suit. He took out a pen and checkbook then handed it to her.
Iris' eyes widened as she looked at the amount of zeros on the check. She didn't even get the chance to glance at the back of her car to see if it was damaged, nevertheless speak out at all.
The man then pulled out a small business card and said "Call me if you need more. Again my apologies" And before Iris could respond the man hurriedly got into his car and drove off with speed. At that rate he might end up hitting another car.
Too stunned to speak, Iris stood in one dumbstruck position for a minute then she glanced at the back of her car.
Through detailed inspection, not even the slightest scratch was found. Did that man not see that there weren't any damages?
She looked at the card, 'Elias Throne' of Golden Luminary Hotels was his name. She'd never heard of this last name.
Iris began counting the zeros on the the check to ensure she wasn't becoming delusional. A single 'three' digit and five zeros!
Iris began hand-fanning and walking up and down to calm her nerves. The cars that passed by slightly halting due to her series of actions. 'Three-hundred thousand pounds?!!!' She could use this money to pay off remaining tuition that her scholarship couldn't cover and finally qualify to join a chemistry bridging course and become the researcher she could only dream of becoming.
Yet another side of her felt that it was only right to return the money since the driver didn't damage her car. Perhaps he was in such a hurry that he didn't see that her car was perfectly fine? She thought.
A few meters further, the same man can be seen driving in an exhilarating speed. When his phone rang, he connected it to the speaker with one hand and answered the call. "The Job is done, she took the money...well, I didn't give her much of a choice not to take it." She stated.
"Mmh" sounded the voice of the other side of the call then dropped. 'How rude' Elias thought.
As Iris walked towards the front door, a black luxury car stopped besides hers and the driver infront lowered his window to reveal an old man, possibly in his late seventies.
"Miss, is everything well?"he asked.
"Ah yess, perfectly fine now, thank you" Iris insisted. The figure in the back seat signaled the driver to move and the car drove off.
Iris didn't realize she spend so much time in the breezy snow, beneath the gloomy clouds until she got in the car; warm and homey just like her parents. She drove off, ready to see her family.