The Scholarship Girl

CHAPTER3

I felt my jaw clench as my thoughts spiraled.

I’d rather live my life the way I want. And if that life doesn’t fit into this ridiculous box they’ve created just because I’m a scholarship student, then screw them.

Seriously.

It’s not like I begged to be in this school. They were the ones that decided to offer scholarship. All I had to do was ace their exams.

I didn't commit a crime by earning a scholarship.

So why does it feel like I’m already on probation?

Why does it feel like one wrong breath, one wrong post, one wrong action could cost me everything?

This school hasn’t even given me a chance yet, and already I’m being watched, monitored, and controlled.

“You’ve been standing at that door for quite some time now, Miss Brown. You going to come in or?”

Wait what? Who opened the door? I've been standing in front of the office, the door wide opened and I failed to realize?

“Uhm, I'm sorry. I tend to get lost when I'm...” I forced a smile.

“That's fine dear. I'm Mrs. Peter. You must be the other scholarship student.” She smiled warmly.

She handed me an iPad, textbooks, stationery, and two manuals. Lowering her voice, she tapped one of them.

“This is strictly for scholarship and students. It’s a must-read.”

I swallowed.

“And this?” I asked, lifting the second manual.

“That’s the general manual. All students follow those rules.”

I rolled my eyes inwardly.

“Principal Lim says you’ll show me to my class.”

“Of course. Just a moment.”

She checked something on her computer, then nodded. “Let’s go.”

Mrs. Peter led me into the classroom and stopped just beside the door. She turned slightly toward me, lowering her voice.

“These kids are rude and cruel. Please do all you can to stay out of their way so they don’t cost you your scholarship. They’re never held accountable for their actions because their parents are rich.”

For the first time since I stepped into the principal’s office, a genuine smile appeared on my face.

“Thank you, Mrs. Peter.”

She gave me a small, knowing smile before turning to face the class.

“Hey, guys. Just like I introduced Joseph earlier, I’d like to introduce Ms. Brown. She’s also a scholarship student. Please be nice to them.”

The room went quiet for barely a second.

Then suddenly...

“How many more are we expecting?” a random student threw the question into the air.

Laughter erupted instantly, loud and careless, bouncing off the walls. My fingers tightened around my bag strap, but I kept my face calm.

“Dina, be nice,” Mrs. Peter said sharply, her eyes narrowing.

Before the room could fully settle, another voice cut in.

“Two scholarship students in one class?” the girl said, irritation clear in her tone. “What do y’all take us for?”

This time, the laughter wasn’t as loud, but it was sharper. More deliberate.

“That’s enough, Jenny,” Mrs. Peter snapped, clearly losing patience. “You can take your displeasure to the principal’s office.”

Jenny scoffed loudly, rolling her eyes in an exaggerated way as she leaned back in her seat.

I scanned the room, bracing for more.

Mrs. Peter gave the class one last warning look before stepping out.

The door had barely closed when movement caught my attention.

For a second, no one said a word.

Then suddenly, someone stood up.

She walked toward me slowly, her eyes scanning my face like she was studying me. I couldn’t tell if I was about to be insulted again or completely ignored.

Then she smiled.

“You’re pretty,” she said casually. “I think I like you.”

I blinked, confused.

“We’re gonna be friends,” she added, like she’d already made the decision. “Come on, let’s get you a seat.”

WHAT???

Before my brain could catch up, she had grabbed my wrist and was pulling me toward the back of the class where a few chairs sat unoccupied.

I smiled weakly. She can’t be that bad… right?

“I’m Belle, by the way,” she said, finally letting go of my hand. “And I know you’re Elora, so save yourself the introduction. You can sit here, no one uses this seat.”

“Thanks,” I said, glancing at the chair beside it. “But what about this one? I’d rather sit close to the window.”

“No, no, no, no,” she said quickly, shaking her head. “Don’t try that.”

“Why?”

“That’s Julian’s seat.” She leaned in slightly. “Trust me, he’s a prick, and you don’t want to be dragging seats with him.”

“Okay…” I said slowly. “I guess this will do.”

She grinned. “

“Good choice. Assembly’s about to start. We should get going.”

And just like that, she was dragging me out of the classroom and toward the assembly hall, leaving me more confused than I’d been all morning.