Chapter 101 The Older Graduate Student
Clara was totally stoked. "For real? Can I really do it?"
"Absolutely."
"I'd be thrilled! I've looked up to you forever. Being your grad student is like, my ultimate dream," Clara exclaimed.
She seemed to have totally spaced that she just left Aurora's place.
Calliope asked, "Alright then, it's a deal. What's your name?"
Clara quickly replied, "I'm Clara Wipere, a student in the Biology Department at Harmony College."
"From our school? Nice." Calliope grinned and nodded approvingly. "Oh, and Clara, make sure to find me on the first day of school. I'll introduce you to your senior students."
Clara remembered that Calliope had a research project going on. Excitedly, she thought that if given the opportunity, she might join the research team.
'The research groups at Harmony College are top-tier. Even Camilla might not get in, right?' Clara's smile grew even more genuine with the thought.
Calliope, seeing her sweet and eager demeanor, was very pleased.
She squinted slightly, glancing in the direction of Aurora's house, and smiled knowingly.
Calliope thought she was just as good as Aurora, if not better connected. Yet, the college always favored Aurora when it came to project funding, resources, and even student distribution.
She wondered, 'Why? Just because Aurora's older? More experienced? Her projects have even been stuck for years, no results for three years, and the grad students she mentored are pretty average. This year's intake is even worse! So why her?'
Calliope had heard that the three grad students Aurora took in this time weren't great, and one of them was an older student who probably had to retake the entrance exam multiple times to get in.
She thought, 'Aurora's getting old, and her judgment is slipping. These older students clearly lack talent, and only she would be soft-hearted enough to take them in.'
'I've carefully screened and interviewed students to pick those with potential. I know Clara well; her family background is solid, and she's got plenty of financial resources, so future research funding won't be an issue. This time, let's see how Aurora competes with me!'
Meanwhile, the "older student" Camilla had already finished tending to the plants, tidied up the yard, and was saying goodbye to Aurora.
She said, "I've pulled the weeds, trimmed the dead branches, and watered all the plants. The weather's cool now, so you can water them again in a few days."
Aurora felt a headache coming on as Camilla was being so thorough, making her a bit exasperated. "Who's the student here, you or me? I'm not a kid; I remember all this stuff."
Camilla washed her hands, put on her jacket, and walked with Aurora from the yard to the gate. "I just couldn't help it. You always forget to water the plants. Oh, and I've washed the veggies and left them in the kitchen. The housekeeper can cook them for you later."
Aurora looked exasperated but didn't interrupt, patiently listening to her instructions.
"Is that it? It's getting dark. Why are you getting more and more naggy?"
Camilla pouted, adjusting Aurora's shawl. "Alright, I won't nag anymore. I'm really leaving this time. I'll come visit you another day."
"Okay, go on. Be careful on your way. Text me when you get home." Aurora smiled as she watched Camilla leave.
Only when she could no longer see Camilla did Aurora's straight back slowly hunch, and the smile on her face faded.
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