The morning sun was gentle, but Pamberi Varombo's thoughts were anything but.
Are all humans born talented?
The question echoed in his mind as he walked toward the taxi rank, uniform crisp, bag slung over his shoulder,
the badge of the Superior Academic Institute bright against his chest.
He didn't think everybody around him was talented.
But maybe that was exactly why he needed to ask the question.
As he stepped closer to the row of taxis, a small voice tugged at the air.
"Excuse me… please… I just need money for transport…"
A boy—maybe ten years old—stood barefoot beside the pavement, clothes thin, eyes tired. He held out his hands, desperate, hopeful.
Pamberi didn't stop.
He didn't even hesitate.
He simply walked past the boy, slid into the taxi, and chose a window seat.
Awise man once said "hard work without talent is a shame,
Other adults and students ignored the boy as if he were invisible.
The driver didn't even look at him. The world kept moving, cold and busy.
Nowadays people like to use his words to justify procrastination he didnt stop there "talentwithouthardworkisa tragedy."
Then a voice broke the flow.
"Hey—wait."
A girl stepped out of the line of students. Her braids swung behind her as she crouched by the boy.
She handed him a few crumpled notes.
"Here… it's twelve rand. Halfway there."
She lifted her head toward the taxi. "Can someone please help this boy? He needs transport!"
Silence.
Everyone stared ahead, pretending they didn't hear.
The girl wasn't done. She noticed a boy in the same SAI uniform as her, counting a thick stack of cash and stuffing it into his wallet with a grin.
"You," she said. "You clearly have enough. Please help him."
The boy looked up, annoyed. "Why should I deal with his financial problems? I've got my own costs. And all these adults here? They're too selfish to help—why must it be me?"
The street kid stepped back slowly. "It's okay… thanks for trying. I'll manage without transport."
Just as the taxi was about to fill, a woman from the back suddenly spoke.
"Here. Give him this."
She pressed money into the girl's hand—the remaining thirteen rand.
"Oh! Thank you!" The girl beamed, handed it to the boy, and both of them rushed into the taxi before the door slammed shut.
The taxi rolled forward, picking up speed.
Outside, a long black limousine glided past them.
Inside it sat a girl with flawless jet-black hair, onyx eyes, and smooth bronze skin that almost seemed to glow.
She stared out the window, lips curved in ambition.
"…It's time to shine," she whispered.
Pamberi turned his head looking at the luxurious limousine and the beautiful girl inside.
Who was that?
The limousine disappeared into traffic.
When Pamberi stepped off at the gates of the Superior Academic Institute, the school rose before him like a fortress of future leaders—glass, steel, and prestige woven into one.
The Superior Academic Institute… over a hundred years old a prestigious private highschool.
Its known for its free education and hundred percent university acceptance rate.
Producing athletes, scientists, lawyers and ofcourse politicians.
And now I'm here.
He barely had a second to take it all in before a voice snapped behind him.
"Hey! You!"
He turned.
It was the girl from the taxi—the one who had helped the street kid. Her eyes were sharp, accusations already loaded
"I saw you ignore that boy," she said. "Why? Do you think you're more important than him or something?!"
Pamberi froze.
The truth?
Helping him wouldn't benefit me in any way.
But he couldn't say that aloud.
"Eh… I didn't have money," he replied, avoiding her gaze.
"You could have helped in other ways. You know that."
She stepped closer. "My name is Kgogedi. You'd be wise to remember it."
She walked off without waiting for him to respond.
Pamberi exhaled, pulled out his phone, and opened the SA App—the Superior Academic App.
Humans aren't born with the same potential, he thought, scrolling.
He used the app's GPS feature to find the leaderboard. A massive digital screen stood in the courtyard, listing all Grade 8 learners.
He scanned for his name from the top using his finger to follow.
Nothing.
Middle.
Nothing.
Bottom…
There.
52. Pamberi Varombo — Class F
"Found it"
It was at the near bottom but he didn't think much of it.
He turned around to head to his classroom—
Bump.
He stepped back. "I'm sorry, I didn't see you th—"
It was her.
The girl from the limousine.
Her onyx eyes locked onto his.
She didn't blink. "Next time, watch where you're going."
She walked away, leaving a chill behind her.
The classroom was small but polished, desks arranged neatly. He found his assigned seat and froze.
Her.
The limousine girl sat right beside him, staring into empty space.
"What a coincidence," Pamberi said, taking his seat.
"We're in the same class. Since we're classmates, we should probably get to know each other. What's your name?"
She looked at him for a second—expression unreadable and emotionless.
"Don't worry," she said calmly. "I promise you'll know soon enough."
Before he could ask more, a boy from the front stood.
"I think we should do introductions to get to know each other. First of all, my name is Moeta Pele I play basically every sport who wants to go next " said Moeta
Then a girl raised her hand it was the girl from the taxi, Kgogedi.
"My name is Kgogedi Duma I love Soapies and id be happy to accept anyone as my friend" she said soft
Everybody clapped and cheered
"Who wants to go " asked Moeta
"Can I pick" Kgogedi asked sweetly
"Eh me" he asked
"Yes how about you" Moeta chimed in.
Pamberi stood up nervously and unsure about what he should say.
"Eh my name is Pambe— "
Just then the classroom door slid open.
Their mentor walked in.
Savedbythebell
Everyone scrambled to their seats.
"Good morning, Sir," they said in unison.
He stood before them with a cold smile.
"Hello…"
He paused.
"…my beloved failures."
The room froze.