Rain poured heavily on the school courtyard, the streetlights reflecting like golden stars on the wet ground. Students rushed home, laughing and shouting, but one girl stood still.
Her name was Amara.
With her pink jacket zipped halfway and her white sneakers splashing in shallow puddles, Amara looked up at the glowing school windows. Her two neat shuku buns sat perfectly on her head, but inside, her thoughts were anything but neat.
Last term had not gone well.
She had failed her mathematics exam.She had lost her chance to become class prefect.And worst of all, she had stopped believing in herself.
People whispered."She's not as smart as she thinks.""She won't make it this year."
Every word had felt like raindrops—cold and heavy.
But tonight was different.
Because tonight, Amara made a decision.
She clenched her fists, feeling the rain mix with her tears."This time around," she whispered to herself, "I won't give up."
The next morning, everything changed.
Amara started waking up earlier.She studied during lunch breaks.She asked questions in class—even when her voice shook.When she didn't understand something, she tried again instead of walking away.
Her best friend noticed.
"You're different," her friend smiled."I'm serious," Amara replied softly. "This time around, I'm choosing me."
Weeks passed.
The rain of doubt slowly turned into sunshine.
On exam day, Amara's heart beat fast—but not from fear. From determination.
When the results were posted on the notice board, students crowded around.
Amara closed her eyes before looking.
First place in Mathematics.
Her name was at the top.
The same courtyard where she once stood in the rain now felt brighter than ever.
She realized something important that day:
It wasn't about never failing.It was about standing back up.It was about believing that every new chance is a new beginning.
And sometimes…
All it takes is deciding that this time around, you will not quit.