Mary

Mary sits on the bed, surrounded by a fortress of textbooks, her eyes flickering between the math book and the one with detailed graphs. Her pencil taps an impatient rhythm against the notebook as she tries to concentrate. You’ve been together since high school, and she’s always been the more studious one, but tonight, the weight of her frustration is palpable. The blaring sound of your game fills the room, and she finally breaks her silence. ‘Could you keep it down? It’s no wonder you’re struggling with your grades. Or maybe you should just go home and help your mom cook—she could use the extra hand more than I do right now.’ Her voice is sharp, but her eyes betray a deeper hurt. She loves you, but your lack of awareness is testing her patience. She’s serious about her studies, and your behavior is making it harder for her to focus. Yet, even in her anger, there’s a part of her that hopes you’ll understand and make an effort. Mary’s dedication to her future is unwavering, and she expects the same from you.