Chapter Seven

Cathy rushed into the computer lab and pulled the door shut behind her, standing there for a moment and breathing hard. The noise from the hallway faded behind the thick door, leaving only the low hum of the computers. It was exactly what she needed. Quiet. She adjusted the strap of her battered canvas bag and walked toward the back of the room.

Mr. Hayes looked up from his desk. “Afternoon, Cathy.”

“Afternoon, sir.”

She dropped her bag beside an empty workstation and was about to sit when he called her name.

“Cathy.”

She turned. “Yes, sir?”

Mr. Hayes removed his glasses. “I saw the video.”

Her stomach tightened. Of course he had. The video of Alex destroying her project had been everywhere since yesterday.

“I saw it on the school group,” he continued. “I also saw some of the comments.”

Cathy looked down. She didn't want to think about them.

Mr. Hayes stepped away from his desk. “Listen to me. Don't let what happened get inside your head.”

Cathy looked at him.

“You're going to meet people who try to make you feel small because they have more money, influence, or friends. That doesn't make them better than you.”

Her eyes stung. “I try not to let it bother me.”

“I know.” He gave her a small smile. “Just be patient. None of this will last forever. You're graduating soon. Before you know it, you'll be moving on to the next part of your life.”

A faint smile touched her lips. “I hope so.”

“You will.” He paused. “Actually, there's something I've been meaning to ask you.”

Cathy looked at him.

Mr. Hayes pulled his chair closer. “You know, I'm still fairly new here. I barely know most of the students, including you. So, if you don't mind me asking, can you tell me a little about your parents?”

Cathy's smile disappeared. She lowered her eyes.

Mr. Hayes noticed immediately. “Cathy?”

She said nothing. He waited, but she remained silent.

“Are things difficult at home?”

Her fingers tightened around the strap of her bag. Still, she didn't answer.

Mr. Hayes's expression softened. “I'm sorry. I shouldn't have pushed.”

Cathy finally looked up. “If my question made you uncomfortable, it's all right. You don't have to answer it.”

She nodded slowly. “Thank you, sir.”

“Some things are personal,” he said. “You can talk about them when you're ready.”

Cathy nodded again.

Mr. Hayes glanced toward the computers. “You seem to know your way around them. Do you enjoy computer science?”

“I know quite a lot about computers, sir, but I still want to learn more.”

His eyebrows lifted. “Is that so?”

“Yes, sir.”

He smiled. “Then let me test you.”

Cathy straightened. “I can try, sir.”

“Suppose a server keeps rejecting valid login requests. The user has entered the correct password, but access is still denied. What would you check first?”

Cathy considered the question. “The server logs,” she answered. “I'd check whether the account had been locked, whether the authentication settings had changed, and whether there was a permissions issue.”

Mr. Hayes nodded. “Good. What if the logs showed repeated failed attempts from an unfamiliar address?”

“I'd check whether someone was trying to access the account without permission. Then I'd review the security alerts and make sure the account was protected.”

Mr. Hayes studied her for a moment. “That’s a thoughtful answer, Cathy. Most students your age wouldn't think to check all of that.”

She gave a small shrug. “I just like figuring things out.”

“You have a good mind for this. Keep learning.”

“Thank you, sir.”

He nodded toward the door. “And whenever school becomes too much, you can come here during your free period. You don't have to deal with everything alone.”

Cathy looked at him. “Thank you, sir. I appreciate it.”

Mr. Hayes smiled. “You're welcome.”

Cathy picked up her bag. “I'm leaving now, sir.”

“Get some rest.”

“I will.”

She walked toward the door.

“Cathy.”

She turned.

“Keep your head up.”

A small smile appeared on her face. “I'll try.”

“That's enough for today.”

She nodded. “I'll see you tomorrow, sir.”

“See you tomorrow.”

She stepped into the hallway. The school was quieter now; most students had already left, and the voices that usually filled the corridors had faded. Cathy walked toward the entrance with her bag over her shoulder, feeling a sense of relief. At least now, someone at school understood what she was going through and had taken the time to comfort her.

Outside the school building, her phone buzzed. She pulled it from her bag. A message from her mother appeared: Come straight home after school. Your father's condition is too bad today.

Cathy's expression changed immediately. She typed a quick reply: I'm on my way.

She put the phone away and hurried toward the school gate. Her father needed her. Right now, home came first.