FATED

TWO

Two young girls sat on the bench at the park, children running around under the supervision of their mothers.

Dogs playing with their owners, disc in their mouth as they ran returning it to their owners for another of catch. Within the happy mood, sat two unhappy girls, “ what are you going to do Amy?” her friend, Vicky asked the pouty girl. Amy’s scholarship was withdrawn in her final year of high-school, the stated that they could not sponsor her education any further.

“ I don’t know Vicky” she answered almost in tears, her friend rubbed her arms soothingly to comfort. The older girl felt really bad for her and wished she could help, but there’s not much she could do, “ I wish I could help Amy, but I’m not too well off too, you know that right?” she asked and Amy nodded, not like she expected anything anyway, she would never put her friend in that position. Vicky’s family are what you’d call an Average Family, they’re doing well for themselves, with about six mouth mouths to feed, adding Amy to the equation will be impossible.

Amy smiled as she looked at the flier on her laps. Her principal had given her the flier to apply for the scholarship for Victorious High, one of the richest and influential schools around, a girl like her could only dream of attending such a school.

With a defeated sigh, she dropped the flier in the bin nearest to them, why hold on to something she could not attain. Vicky looked at the bin, an idea forming in her head, she won’t let this opportunity go by, not on her watch.

“ You know, enough of this mood, let’s go get ice-cream” Vicky cheered, wiping off Amy’s tears and pulling her off the bench. “ I’m not in the mood” Amy answered uninterested in the offer. Not waiting for her to protest again, she grabbed her arms and pulled her off the bench ”Ice-cream cures bad moods” she encouraged, pulling her towards the nearest stall.

A WEEK LATER

The air in the old, worn out house was chill, the weather that day blew like it knew someone was sad, it was comforting the sad girl who sat by the cracked window, allowing the gush by and through her.

Her special moment was interrupted by the urgent voice of Vicky, the excited girl ran with all her might towards the voice, yelling Amy’s name like a chant. She ran into the door like a bull ready to pounce on its prey, she hurriedly ran to Amy, bringing her into her embrace.

“You…. Got… it” she stressed her words, trying to catch her breaths at the same time. “ I got what? Curious Amy asked, confusion written all over her petite face.

“The scholarship” she started as she took her seat on the old, almost non-existent couch, she grabbed Amy arm, pulling her to sit beside her as well. “What scholarship are you talking about?” Amy asked further as she adjusted herself on the couch.

Vicky gulped, turning ninety degrees to be face to face with her friend, “ Victorious High” she started “I applied for you, and you passed the first round, you were invited for an interview” Vicky finally dropped the news, her eyes wide in expectancy, waiting for a reaction from Amy, but got nothing. “ are you playing a prank?” Amy asked, refusing to believe what her friend was saying.

How can someone like her get accepted into a school created for high societal kids, she scoffed at the thoughts “ stop joking around” she cautioned, not finding the joke funny.

“ This is no prank Amy, I applied for you” she smiled as she pulled out the invitation letter from the school she printed out earlier, Amy took the papers, her eyes looking at the contents. It is true, but how? Why? How can this be?. She looked at her friend, tears welling up in her eyes ‘was there still hope for her? She can still further and education? And fulfill her dreams?’ she embraced Vicky as the tears flow uncontrollably, she was so grateful that she found it difficult to express it in words.

At Victorious High, the hallways were packed, students moving in and out of their classrooms, their voices filled the hallways, many greeting their friends, some arguing, lockers being opened and closed, a typical school environment.

In the midst of the perfect chaos, sat a group of five boys; known for their intimidating presence, dashing figures and breathtaking faces.

They were the center of attraction in Victorious High.

The hall was finally getting settled, students going to their various classes.

Amy arrived at the school, accompanied by her friend, Vicky, fear found its way to Amy as she shuttered at the sight of the glamorous institution.

The atmosphere was different, it was rich, vibrant, expensive, beyond her. Everyone looked good, they smelt good, she stylishly looked at her outfit, low self esteem washed over her, Vicky noticed the change in her mood and approached her, “ don’t be like this Amy, you do not need to feel intimidated by these brats. If anyone deserves to be here, it’s you” she encouraged, rubbing her bent head “ you are prettier and smarter, don’t belittle yourself, hmm?” she assured her friend who responded with a smile and a nod.

Amy entered the administrative building for her interview, thankfully, she was on time.

The interview was short, precise and concise, a few questions was asked, academic records were viewed and that was all.

Although, she was tensed, she answered the questions intelligently.

“ Well, miss Amy” one of the interviewer called, Amy look at her, her body tensed as she expected her verdict “your records are impressive” she started “ we have been expecting you, and I’d say we are not disappointed” she expressed, smiling at a tensed Amy. “ Congratulations, you got the scholarship” she announced with a bright smile, handing over to Amy the admission letter.

Amy stood still, not able to move and this worried the board, they smiled when they saw a tear dropped from her eyes, she gratefully collected the letter, repeating the words ‘Thank you’ before she exited the room.

The duo were spotted crying in each other embrace, the joy knew no bound, the sound of their tears filled the air, receiving stares from onlookers but right now, they could care less. “Yes, I knew you would get in” Vicky said, wiping her friends tears as hers continue to pour “Thank you Vicky, I love you so much” Amy said, embracing her friend in a really tight hug. “of course, I’d love me too” Vicky sassed, earning a chuckle from Amy, they stayed in that comfortable silence for a while until Amy’s stomach growled “you hungry?” Vicky asked, laughing at her friend failing attempts to stop the loud growls “ there no switch button for that Amy” she commented, laughing at the pouty girl.

“ Let’s go home to eat, I’m starving” Amy suggested, she knows she has no money on her and refuses to bother Vicky with such expenses.

“ No, I can’t wait, I’m hungry” Vicky countered, dragging Amy with her to find the school cafeteria “hold your breaks Vicky, we don’t know where it is” Amy reminded her and Vicky halted her steps.

“ we’ll ask” she answered, looking around eagerly to find someone to ask, her eyes spotted a group of boys chatting near a classroom and began walking towards them but was stopped by Amy “ I don’t think we should disturb them, we’ll find it on our own” she suggested, her eyes glued to the group, staring at them like a piece of puzzle.

She perceived something familiar and rare, it screamed trouble and she does not want to be involved.

“Why? They are not going to bite us, hold on, I’ll talk to them” she confidently walk towards the group, no hint of fear at all, “Hi” she greeted, gaining their attention, Amy stood a few feet away to keep safe, a known, unknown familiarity lingering in the air, she was unsure of what it was. Aside from her father, grandmother and him, she has never felt this for a stranger, the owner was present, she knew it.

“Yes, what do you need” john asked with his sunshine smile, his face reflected the sun as its shone brightly, illuminating the atmosphere. “ sorry to disturb you” she started “ my friend just got admitted to the school and we don’t really know our way around” she explained, pointing t Amy who quickly looked away from the group, avoiding their eyes, especially his, she played with her fingers, they felt more interesting than anything right now.

“So?” a rather cold question from Sam, his cold gaze intimidated Vicky as she shuddered, she looked away from him and turned to the sunshine boy “ please, where can I find the cafeteria?” she asked.

Meanwhile, Jack attention was on the petite girl, standing feet from him. Her head bent low as she fiddled with her fingers. His brows raised in confusion, ‘Has he met her before? Her scents, it is not human, is she a…?’ the questions lingered in his mind as he continued to look at her.

“ Alright, thank you” Vicky said with a smile before leaving, dragging Amy with her. “Her friend looks shy, cute” Beck commented as they watch their retrieving figures.