Chapter 25
“Tive years and seven months, but your two sont test scores are equivalent to those of ten–year–olds.”
Skylar smiled modestly. “Tim hicky because they just happen to be developing faster intellectually.”
Peter Ollien, the principal of St. Vincent Elementary School studied the profiles of the two boys he was reading. He thought for a moment, then seemed to come to a decision.
“Well, malam” Peter said carefully. “Our school has an accelerated program for children who excel academically and given Noah and Nile’s test results, 1 think it would be a good idea to try them out for a grade above the general grade where they would normally be, if that’s okay with you!”
Skylar turned to Anthony “What do you think?
“That’s great, if they can keep up. What are the rules, Mr. O’Brien! As far as I know, each school has a different acceleration system, Anthony said.
“We will conduct a special test and the results will be a reference for the school curriculum, to which level the twins can enter. Ually, we will condur an evaluation during the first semester and if the twins‘ academic activities remain stable until the end of the semester, they will be assigned as permanent students at that level and can continue to move up according to their new level,” said Peter, explaining in detail.
“Excuse me if 1 interrupt, Mr. O’Brien, does this school provide special guidance and counseling for children who participate in the acceleration program?” asked Anthony seriously;
“Of course. Mr. Bernard. Our school is very concerned about matters concerning the payche and mental health of all students, even teachers and school staff,” said Peter proudly. “Especially for acceleration students, they will be provided with special time, because usually there is a burden that they want to vent.”
“Good then,” said Anthony. “Being a smarter student does not always bring benefits”
Skylar turned and looked at Anthony in surprise. Why did she seem to catch a bitter tone in Anthony’s voice?
Skylar and Anthony finished their conversation with Peter O’Brien and decided to take the twins to lunch at the mall closest to Skylar’s office.
“Mom, that’s going to be our new school?” Nile asked on the way to the mall.
“Yeah. They have a great accelerated program and if you qualify, you can go straight to a higher grade than you’re supposed to be in Skylar said happily. “How would you like it?”
“Yeah, that’s great” Noah said. “But, it’s also a little confusing”
“Hm! Why?” Sk
Skylar asked in surprise.
No answer
Skylar looked back and saw Nile and Noah staring at each other.
Sometimes, Skylar felt that as twins, her sons could communicate just by looking at each other, without having to say anything.
“Uh, you see, Mom” this time Nile spoke. His formal tone sounded adorable. “It’s really just a matter of… Uh… Socialization.
Skylar’s eyebrows raised. “Socialization!”
Anthony glanced at the two boys sitting in the back through the rearview mirror and smiled understandingly.
“What they mean, Sky, is that they’re worried that the accelerated class might confuse them in their social life or that their future friends might be confused when facing them.” Anthony said, trying to help explain
“Yes, that’s what we mean. Noah said. He gave Anthony a thumbs up. “Thank you, Uncle Ant. You always know what we mean
Anthony laughed and winked at them through the rearview mirror,
Skylar suddenly felt jealous.
“Uh, of course I don’t understand what you mean, because you didn’t tell me and didn’t even involve me in your conversation” Skylar said half- wulking
Anthony chuckled and grabbed Skylar’s hand, then squeezed it for a moment and went back to driving
In front of the twins, even though he always wanted to touch Skylar, Anthony always tried to hold himself back. He wanted to respect Skylar in front of his son
10 11 AM C
Chapter 25
“So, if we were supposed to be in second grade, hat because of our acceleration we were immediately promoted to third grade, it would be a bit problematic for our socialization. Who should we hang out with?” Nile said in a careful tone.
“Friends in second grade must feel reluctant to hang out with us who are already in third grade, wisile friends in third grade might also feel awkward to play with us because we are actually younger than them,” Noah continued his twins‘ explanation,
Skylar was pensive when she heard what her two sons said. She didn’t think about it at all and only thought about how great her two sons were because their academic abilities were far more advanced than children their age.
“That’s why there are special psychological therapy classes for children with special abilities, Sky Anthony said softly. Their mental burden as special children is actually very heavy, it’s just that rarely anyone realizes it.”
i
Skylar caught the heavy tone in Anthony’s voice again. She turned her head and accidentally saw Anthony’s grip on the steering wheel tighten.
After arriving at the mall, the four of them went straight to a restaurant.
In just so happened that the restaurant they chose had a special play area for visitors who brought children, so the twins went straight there after ordering the food they wanted and waiting for their meal time.
“Anthony,” Skylar said softly. “What’s wrong? You look different today”
“Hm!” Anthony named his attention from the menu to Skylar, “What’s different?”
“You…. It seems like something is bothering you and it has something to do with. The children’s school!” Skylar said carefully.
Anthony closed the menu and focused his gaze on Skylar. He was considering whether or not to tell her what was on his mind, when Nile suddenly
ran towards him.
“Mom! Uncle Ant, a woman is scolding Noah and trying to pull his hair!” Nile said breathlessly.
Skylar stood up in shock, as did Anthony, who immediately grabbed Nile’s land.
“What’s wrong? What did you two do that made that woman want to pull your brother?” Skylar asked. “Were you naughty?”
Nile shook his head. “No, Mom. Noah just accidentally stepped on the woman’s foot when he backed away. He apologized, but the woman got angry and tried to pull Noah. She got even angrier when Noah moved away.”
“Show us where your brother is,” Anthony said with thin lips.
Nile led Skylar and Anthony to the play area and there, a woman whose back was only visible from the direction they came from, seemed to be scolding Noah,
“Mom!” Noah waved his hand at Skylar and Anthony, with a big smile.
The woman turned around and her eyes widened, while Skylar raised an eyebrow in exasperation.
“This kid. Jenna, the woman who had scolded Noah, looked at Skylar in confusion. “Y–your kid?”
Skylar nodded. “Yes, this kid is mine. Noah, what happened?”
“I was backing up to avoid a little kid who was learning to walk and I accidentally stepped on this auntie’s foot, Noah said, pointing at Jenna. “She immediately got angry and was going to pinch me”
“Have you apologized for stepping on her expensive shoes!” Skylar asked flatly.
“I apologized right away, Mom,” Noah said seriously. “Even the mother of the kid who was going to hit me, heard it and apologized because her child was the one who made me hit this aurie.”
Jenna’s face turned bright red. She stood up awkwardly. “Uh, I didn’t mean to–
“Do you really like bullying a kid who already realized her mistake and apologized?” Skylar quipped. “Or… do you need another way to apologize!”
Skylar glanced at Jenna’s shoe.
“How much are your shoes? I’ll pay for them,” Skylar said.
Just then a woman rushed over. She was carrying a cute little girl.
“Oh! You’re still scolding this good kid” the woman said to Jenna. She grabbed Noah’s hand and pulled him close to her body. “Son, where’s your mom! Come on, I’ll take you to her and leave this overly mean woman alone“;
Noah smiled at the woman and pointed at Skylar. “My mom’s here. My brother called her?”
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Chapter 25
The woman looked at Skylar in surprise. “Oh, ma’am, I’m sorry. Your son was avoiding my daughter, until he accidentally bumped into her. He apologized and so did I, but she kept getting mad, so I went to get security.”
“W–what, security?” Jenna almost screamed. “WHAT THE FUCK Why did you call security!”
“Jenna, language! scolded Skylar. “Therr are kids here!”
