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?"

Carlson. He's already published once before; it's not surprising he's

Carlson-always on

assumed the vice principal

in pride-this was her student,

his mentor, she'd forgotten Carlson hadn't planned on publishing in 'Science'

had, she would've been a

student to publish in 'Science' without

her lip, shooting Carlson a

her paper for weeks, only to secretly publish in

it was her own

thought had

Hertha also showed varying

to Carlson, "Bro! It's you,

a sly grin, he added, "Talking about not publishing anymore, but aiming for the top, huh? Man, you're brilliant! Dad always says that's

about to respond

just a personal achievement but a triumph for the whole

the vice principal, his face beaming as he continued Slater's sentiment, "Let's give our congratulations to-Roseanne!" Silence fell over the room like a thick

hands froze mid-air, unsure whether to complete the clap, leaving him awkwardly suspended

the deafening