Seven: An unexpected offer
691 Words
Scarlett stood frozen at the office door.
The principal smiled warmly.
"Come in, Scarlett."
She stepped inside, greeting both men politely.
"Good afternoon, sir... Good afternoon, Mr. Smith."
William nodded with a gentle smile.
"Good afternoon, Scarlett."
The principal gestured toward the empty chair.
"Please, have a seat."
Scarlett sat cautiously, wondering why one of the richest men in the country was in the principal's office... and why he seemed interested in her.
The principal folded his hands.
"Mr. Smith is one of the academy's biggest sponsors. Every year, he personally meets a few scholarship students."
Scarlett relaxed a little.
So that was all.
"I've read your academic records," William said. "Outstanding grades despite difficult circumstances."
Scarlett looked down.
"I just do my best."
William studied her quietly.
There was humility in her voice—not self-pity.
He admired that.
"What do you hope to become after graduation?"
"A pharmacist."
Both men looked pleasantly surprised.
"And why pharmacy?" William asked.
Scarlett smiled faintly.
"When my parents were alive, my mother was always helping people. I may not be able to do exactly what she did... but I want a career where I can make someone's life better."
For a moment, the room fell silent.
William couldn't explain it, but something about the girl reminded him of someone he had known years ago.
Someone he'd never forgotten.
"You'll go far, Scarlett."
"Thank you, sir."
As she left the office, she couldn't shake the feeling that William's interest in her was more than simple curiosity.
---
Outside the office...
Ashton was waiting.
He leaned against the wall with his arms crossed.
"So?"
Scarlett frowned.
"So... what?"
"What did my father want?"
She shrugged.
"That's none of your business."
"It is if he's talking to you."
She walked past him.
"Maybe he wanted to complain about your manners."
Ethan, Ryan, and Noah arrived just in time to hear her response.
Ethan burst out laughing.
"Ashton, she got you again."
Ashton rubbed the back of his neck.
"You enjoy embarrassing me, don't you?"
Scarlett smiled over her shoulder.
"You make it surprisingly easy."
---
That afternoon, the chemistry class received its first project assignment.
Each pair had to build a working model that demonstrated a chemical process.
"You'll present in two weeks," Mr. Bennett announced.
Scarlett immediately began writing ideas.
Ashton, meanwhile, doodled basketballs in the corner of his notebook.
She sighed.
"Are you planning to help?"
"I am helping."
"Drawing isn't helping."
"It helps me think."
"I don't think that's what's happening."
He laughed.
"You worry too much."
"No. I plan too much."
"Exactly."
For the first time, Ashton noticed something.
She wasn't trying to impress anyone.
She genuinely cared.
---
School ended with a heavy rainstorm.
Students rushed toward waiting cars.
Scarlett stood beneath the entrance canopy, watching the rain pour down.
She had forgotten her umbrella.
She sighed.
The walk home would take almost forty minutes.
"You'll get sick."
She turned.
Ashton stood beside her, twirling a black umbrella.
"I'll survive."
"You say that a lot."
"Because it's true."
He held out the umbrella.
"Take it."
Scarlett blinked.
"You expect me to believe you're suddenly being nice?"
"I'm trying something new."
She looked at the umbrella...
Then back at him.
"No."
Ashton frowned.
"No?"
"I don't accept favors from people who dump glitter into my locker."
Ethan, who had been listening nearby, covered his face.
"Ouch."
Scarlett pulled her backpack over her head and stepped into the rain.
Within seconds, she was soaked.
Ashton watched her disappear through the school gates.
Ryan joined him.
"You know..."
"What?"
"I think she's the first girl who's ever rejected your help."
Ashton smiled to himself.
"Which is exactly why she's different."
Far away, Scarlett walked through the rain, shivering.
She didn't notice the black SUV driving slowly behind her.
Inside the vehicle, William Smith watched silently.
"Follow her," he told his driver.
"I want to know where she lives."
The driver nodded.
"Yes, sir."
As the SUV kept a safe distance, William stared thoughtfully through the rain-speckled window.
The address they were about to discover would leave him more shocked than he could ever imagine.
- Writer
