Before The World Cup: Liv II

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"Olivia, you can't go on like this." Dr. Slead her guidance counselor told her.

"I don't understand the problem. It's not like I'm failing or anything."

"It depends what you call failing. This," he said raising his hand towards her to emphasize, "For you, it's subpar. It's not the best you can do."

"It is. It's the best I can do right now. Maybe I'm not as smart as you think Dr. Slead." Olivia said quietly.

"That's not true. Look, I talked to professor Slattery. He's the one who brought this to me. He said that lately you've been doing just the absolute necessary not to fail the term. This is unlike you. You used to involve yourself and apply yourself more. The extra credit work and Professor Slattery's research team."

"Maybe I'm just tired. What's wrong with just graduating?"

"You can do so much more! Don't throw away this chance."

Olivia let out a huge breath. This discussion was going nowhere. "Alright Dr. Slead. Thank you." She said. It was the best way to end the conversation.

"Don't thank me Liv. Do something about it."

"Okay, I will." She said but she knew he didn't believe her.

"That's good. I've actually got something for you to do already."

"Something to do?"

"Yes. As it turns out Professor Jones got a new grant for a study for this summer. You could be a part of it as your summer internship."

"What kind of study?" Olivia asked reluctantly. The last thing she wanted to do was spend her summer in the university.

"With football players."

"Football players?" Olivia asked surprised and Dr. Slead started telling her what the internship was about.

"Look Dr. Slead, it sounds interesting and all that, but I have plans for the summer. I'm going home."

"I've already submitted your name."

"What? You can't do that!"

"Sure I can. You've been accepted."

"No, no I am not. I don't want to."

"You just said you were ready to do something about it. This is something. Look Liv this is a good thing. You'll be out in the field, in Brazil for two months. Even if the study doesn't seem all that interesting to you – and I know it does in fact – you'll be in Brazil during the World Cup, working with one of the top teams in the world, favored to win. I'd go myself if I could. And it's not just that. Me, Professor Slattery, Professor Jones, we believe in you. We're in your corner. Don't waste our faith in you."

"Alright." Olivia said and this time she meant it. "Let me think about it first."

"Yeah do that. But know it's very competitive. More than a hundred students applied and there are only four positions."

Olivia nodded. "Thank you Dr. Slead. I'll give you my answer soon."


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