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Dr. Tabitha Hill was one of those guilty of the third option.
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Nine years ago…
I was the top dog. Coming from a family that didn't have much to their name, I knew working extra hard was the only way to make a name for myself. And boy, did I work hard.
"You're still going at it?" Shawn asked as he entered the classroom and found me studying.
"Unfortunately," I sighed. I yawned, rubbed my face, and continued studying like it was a completely normal thing.
I was the best-performing medical student at the university. I had a simple dream: to graduate as the best and get access to the grant for those who perform with flying colors.
"Did you hear? We're getting a student transferred in," he informed me. "She's more or less a genius. That's what I heard, at least."
"Well, if that seems to be the case, we'll continue working with morally upright people to show off how much we have in common," I suggested.
"As usual, very optimistic of you," sighed Shawn. "But I don't think this situation might be the case. I know the student that will be transferring in. We'll be in luck if she talks to either of us."
"What's that supposed to mean?" I asked.
"You'll get it when you see her," he replied, patting me on the shoulder.
For Shawn to warn me about anyone in advance, I could tell that the person was going to be trouble. From what I had heard, she was a prodigy of some sort who wanted to get into Hopkins but instead was placed somewhere else. She worked hard and was transferred to the University of Maryland medical school, where I also studied.
I was worried about what kind of person she would be, but never at any point in my life was I worried about my academic position in school. When I first saw her, she was in biology. She was beautiful – a face with no visible expression of interest in anyone around her. She seemed unapproachable, too. But there was just something about her that made my heart do the summersaults.
As a man focused on being the best in his studies, I had no interest in romantic affairs that would distract me. But for the first time since I started medical school, I almost considered a relationship with her.
She didn't seem interested in any relationship affairs, which was a good sign for me. Then…the exams came.
"Where do you think you'd place this time?" I asked Shawn.
"Top five for sure," he answered with confidence.
"Usually, you'd say top three," I said. "You didn't perform like you'd normally do?"
"I wish that were the case, but the reason is becauseshe'shere," he answered, motioning in a direction.
I looked in that direction and saw Tabitha approaching. She was focused on her book, only lifting her eyes to look at Shawn and returning her attention to it.
"Hey, Tabitha, aren't you going to check where you placed?" I asked in the friendliest way I could.
"Why would I feel the need to do that?" she asked without sparing me a glance as she continued her way. "The outcome should be obvious. You should be able to tell what position I'd be in."
It was the first time either of us had spoken to each other. I expected at least a friendlier reply or something.
"Don't you think that was a bit rude?" I asked, still maintaining a smile.
"Dude, let it go," Shawn said as he held my arm, urging us to leave.
She stopped walking, stared at me from the top of my head to my feet, and scoffed before returning to wherever she was going.
"What the hell was that?" I asked; the smile on my face disappeared. I didn't need her to say a word for me to know that I was just visually insulted.
"I don't think we should check the rankings anymore," Shawn advised.
"Because of some arrogant little girl?" I asked, holding back the urge to laugh at the ordeal.
