Torn Between Two Worlds

Mary-Kate’s POV “We are glad to have you here Miss Anderson. Please see your guidance teacher if you have any questions or need clarity on anything.” Says the kind lady amongst them all on the school board. I just completed my interview. “Thank you, Mrs. Croft.” I return her warm smile. “That will be all for now. You are excused.” She says while still maintaining her smile. “Thank you everyone. Please excuse me.” I say then get off the comfortable chair. I walk to the door behind me and leave the boardroom. That was the scariest interview I have ever undergone. I have not done so many except the ones that have helped me get small jobs to raise money for food and my school tuition. I walk to the waiting lounge for Mrs. Brown, my guidance teacher. I need to see her for my school uniform before I leave for home. I hope she does not take her sweet time, I need to walk a distance before I get to the bus stop. My name is Mary-Kate Anderson, and I am 16 years old. I just finished a successful interview at Cali High Academy which is the last school I expected to finish my final year of high school. Cali High is an Elite Academy that only the rich can afford to send their children to. I am neither rich nor have a trust fund, my family is poor, very poor. My dad and I live in a one-bedroom apartment in a very unsafe neighbourhood some would say, it gives me the creeps too but it’s alright. We have not always been poor. Many years ago my parents had a successful business and we were comfortable, not rich but comfortable. We lost all our money when my dad got depressed after losing my mom to cancer seven years ago. All his businesses started failing and we were then declared bankrupt. We had to sell our house which was in a nice respectable neighbourhood to come and live where we are now so that dad could afford to pay my tuition at my old school. But the money was not enough for my entire tuition as well as to buy food and pay rent for the little apartment we live in. Dad managed to get a job which has not been paying him enough and I took up a few jobs myself like babysitting and working at a diner to raise some extra money. With what dad and I both make we manage to pay our rent and have a decent meal every day. He is not happy that I must work but there is nothing I can do. We need the money. Last year I started applying for scholarships and got turned down repeatedly. My grades are perfect, so I was not sure why I kept being turned down. A few days ago, dad told me he received a call from Cali High Academy to inform him that I have been given a scholarship to complete my high school there. We were both so happy about the news. I was of course nervous and still am, attending at an Elite Academy is what I least expected. I anticipate my stay here shall not be pleasant with all the spoilt children who get everything they want. But I am truly grateful for the opportunity. Cali high Academy will look great on my college applications. “Miss Anderson, I will see you now.” I hear Mrs. Brown speak bringing me back from my thoughts. “Please step into my office with me.” She says then starts walking towards her office. I get off the chair and follow her. We reach her office and we both make ourselves comfortable, I feel myself relax. I was not relaxed during the interview, scared I would say something wrong. Her office is warm and welcoming. There’s a painting on the wall behind her which I find so intriguing. Abstract art is amazing, it makes you wonder what the artist was trying to visualizer while creating the piece. “I am sure you have read all the rules and understood what it means being a pupil at Cali High Academy.” “Yes ma'am I have.” I respond politely. “You are a bright girl and I have faith in you. One thing the board did not mention during your interview is that if you manage to keep a 4.0 GPA you get another scholarship for your tuition at university.” She smiles after saying the last sentence. My eyes open wide in amazement, “Really?” I can’t believe what my ears just heard, another scholarship for further studies at university level. I need to do everything I can to impress them. “Yes dear, so make sure you make us all proud.” She smiles. “I promise not to let you down.” I say. “Great.” She says with a smile. My heart is doing somersaults as we speak. I know I can do it and I will. We hear a knock on the door before it opens and a young lady in her twenties walks in handing Mrs. Brown a brown envelope and a black backpack with the school logo on it. “Thank you Cynthia.” Mrs. Brown says to the young lady before she excuses herself. “Your uniform and PE attire are in there. Remember rule number 1....” Rule number 1; Always wear your school uniform correctly. “Yes ma’am.” “Perfect, that is all see you on Monday.” She finishes with a smile. “Thank you, see you Monday.” I say and then excuse myself. Now I need to head to the diner and let Mr. Andrews know that I can only work on weekends, during the week will be so hard for me. I hope he takes it well, he didn’t need me when I applied for the job and I have become efficient now. I don’t want to burn the bridge that helped me when I needed help.