A hand reaches towards a computer screen displaying C+ on a desk with a water bottle, book, and crumpled paper, in a sketch style.

Illustration Description: A close-up of a computer screen, slightly tilted, with the number "C+" prominently displayed in a stark, blocky font. The screen emits a faint, uneven glow that illuminates part of a young hand reaching out to touch it, possibly with a hint of hesitation or dread. The fingers are slightly blurred, suggesting movement. In the background, hints of a cluttered desk: a crumpled paper, a half-empty water bottle, and the dark outline of a closed textbook. The overall impression is one of intense focus and isolation, with the starkness of the grade as the central, jarring element. Lines should be a bit rough, like a pencil sketch. Chapter 2: The Trophy Room Buzzkill Illustration Description: A wide shot of a middle school hallway or cafeteria, rendered with simple, clean lines. In the foreground, a large, gleaming trophy on a pedestal, perhaps with a subtle starburst effect around it to emphasize its shine. In the background, blurred outlines of excited students gathered around something out of frame (implying the Robotics team), their vague shapes suggesting movement and celebration. Our protagonist, Maya, is depicted slightly apart from the group, her posture a little slumped, looking at the trophy or the celebrating crowd with a distant, almost melancholic expression. Her figure is distinct but less "glowing" than the trophy or the implied celebration, highlighting her sense of detachment. Chapter 3: The Mural and the Messenger Illustration Description: See more