Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

Everyone in the room was puzzled.

Even the student who was presenting paused, taking a moment to stare at the vice principal's odd behavior.

"Cough, cough!" The deputy principal beside him coughed loudly twice, signaling him to keep it together in front of everyone.

What could possibly be so exciting?

To the point of forgetting one's own dignity?

But then, the excited vice principal grabbed the microphone, took several deep breaths before he could calm himself enough to speak-

"I've just received official news. A student from our Life Sciences department is the lead author on a paper published in 'Science"!"

'Science' magazine consists of three main sections: Science News, Science's Compass, and Research.

As soon as the vice principal finished, a collective gasp swept through the crowd.

"Did I hear that right?"

"Are we talking about the 'Science' I think we're talking about? This is... unbelievable!"

"From our department? Who?"

gotta be Carlson. He's already published once

hero, Carlson-always on

the vice principal was talking about

but lift her chin in pride-this was her

Carlson hadn't planned on publishing in 'Science'

she

impossible for a student to

lip, shooting

her paper for weeks, only to

it was her

had Sybil floating

and Hertha also showed varying degrees of

on, excitedly turning to Carlson, "Bro! It's you, isn't

but aiming for the top, huh? Man, you're

was about to respond

of applause "Fantastic! This is not just a personal achievement but a

indeed!" agreed Mr. Hiram, the vice principal, his face beaming as he continued Slater's sentiment,

unsure whether to complete the clap, leaving him

the deafening quiet, someone