CHAPTER 3- MARK'S EXCELLENT PERFORMANCE

On the second day of school, the students awaited Dr. Reyes in anticipation of his lecture on chemical reactions. Dr. Reyes was known among his students as a strict and serious professor, his serious face conveying his no-nonsense attitude toward education.

Dr. Reyes entered the classroom, and the students immediately quieted down, giving him their full attention. He made his way to the front of the class, scanning each of his student's faces.

Surveying the room, he pointed his finger at Sarah, one of Mark's friends. "You, Can you enlighten us with your definition of a chemical reaction?"

Sarah, feeling the weight of the professor's gaze, took a deep breath before answering. "A chemical reaction is when one or more substances are transformed into different substances through the breaking and formation of chemical bonds."

"Excellent. What's your name? " Dr. Reyes asked

"Sarah Smith. Doc. " She responded.

"You… "Pointed his finger at Mark

"Let's hear your idea"

"Chemical reactions involve the rearrangement of atoms and molecules to form new substances with different properties than the original substances. It's essentially the language of the universe, guiding everything from the smallest atom to the most complex chemical processes." Mark confidently replied

Can anyone explain the chemical reaction that occurs when a match is struck?" Asked with a serious attitude

"When a match is struck, the heat generated by the friction of the match head against the striking surface ignites the chemicals in the match head. The potassium chlorate and sulfur in the matchhead react with the red phosphorus, producing heat, light, and smoke. This reaction is exothermic, releasing heat energy." Mark answered

"Hmm.."

Dr. Reyes nodded in approval as he walked back to the front of the classroom.

The rest of the class listened attentively as he delved into more complex chemical reactions.

After class, Mark made his way to the cafeteria, holding a tray of food. As he walked, he heard someone call out to him from behind.

"Wait up, Mark!" A slightly chubby guy with a bag slung over his shoulder rushed towards him. His soft, round face, and noticeable blue polo shirt gave him a friendly, approachable appearance. He held a tray in his hand as he approached.

"Hey, hmmm.. mind if we join you?" Matthew asked with a warm smile.

Two girls followed behind, making their way over to the group.

On the right side was a simple girl with a milky skin tone, caramel hair, and a beautiful face that shone behind her eyeglasses, dressed in white long sleeves and blue jeans. Despite her striking appearance, she had an unassuming demeanor.

On the other side had a head full of tight, Light brown skin, and curly hair that bounced with every step. with almond-shaped eyes and wearing Brown long sleeves and a green skirt.

That was Sarah and Lyrisa both holding a stack of books close to their chest.

After agreeing, Mark and his new friends settled down to enjoy their meals and engage in lively conversation. They introduced themselves and chatted about their interests, filling the air with laughter as they exchanged jokes and shared their thoughts on various topics. As they got more comfortable with each other, they even started poking fun at Dr. Reyes' serious attitude in class, much to their amusement.

"Hey, You," Matthew pointed to Sarah, said in a joking tone, pretending to be Dr. Reyes with a funny action. "You there, do you have an idea about Chemical Reactions?"

But Mark responded with a smirk, "Well, I do have a few tricks up my sleeve when it comes to chemistry." He then gestured with his hands, as if showcasing a magic trick.

As they joked and laughed, Mark and his friends failed to notice that Dr. Reyes had quietly approached and was now standing nearby, wearing a stern expression. Suddenly, he cleared his throat loudly, drawing their attention to his presence.

The group fell silent, their expressions shifting from amusement to apprehension as they realized they had been caught. Dr. Reyes glared at them for a moment, and with a stern little smile on his face.

"Well, it seems like you all are having a good time," he said with a serious tone.

"Ahmm we are having a discussion " and Mark makes a wink signal to Lyrisa and Sarah.

"Yeah, Yes .. where are we now? " Lyrisa response

"hmm Yup… We are discussing Chemistry, " said with an awkward smile.

"Ah, very good. Carry on, then."

The group let out a collective sigh of relief as Dr. Reyes walked away, and they resumed their conversation pretending to have a serious discussion.

————********

— The university cafeteria has open space with rows of rectangular tables and chairs neatly arranged in rows. The walls were painted in shades of pale yellow, giving the room a warm and inviting atmosphere. Large windows allow natural light to flood in, illuminating the space and providing a view of the greenery outside. A long counter stretched across the back of the room, with a variety of food stations offering different types of cuisine. The smell of freshly cooked food wafted through the air, and the sound of chatter and laughter filled the room

—---------------

Fast-forward to the last day of August,

"Mark, I almost forgot to tell you that today is my dad's birthday because you so quiet lately" Sarah exclaimed,

"Really?" Matthew and Lyrisa exclaimed simultaneously, exchanging a quick high-five.

Meanwhile, Sarah looked at Mark with curiosity and began to be inquisitive.

As they walked, Matthew and Lyrisa discussed the food they wanted to eat first at the birthday celebration, their mouths watering at the thought.

"I've noticed you've been in a hurry for a while now," Sarah added, catching her breath. "What's the matter?"

"I have to get home now. My mom and I are going to the Mid Light Tower," Mark replied as he walked.

"or it may be she's waiting for me outside already."

"The Mid Light Tower? How are you going to get in? Didn't you hear the news? It's temporarily closed for maintenance," Sarah pointed out with a concerned look.

"We can still get in there. We can find a way," Mark replied confidently.

The group continued their conversation as they walked until they finally reached the entrance.

"Hey Mark, are you sure you're not coming to my Dad's birthday?" Sarah reminded Mark with a pleading tone. "It'll be fun if you come with us and your mom," she added.

Matthew chimed in, "Yeah man, it would be great if you could join us, especially since the Midlight Tower is temporarily closed."

"Sorry, guys, but I can't go with you," Mark said with a solemn tone. "This day will be one of the memories that I'll never forget."

"Sarah, darling!" Sarah's dad called out to her from the road.

"Here he is," Sarah said, turning to her father.

"Goodbye, Mark. Just call us if you change your mind, and good luck on your date with your mom," she added with a smile.

A few minutes later, Mark's mother also arrived.