After a few minutes of silence and muffled sobs, Clara mustered the courage to speak up again. She turned to Lisa, her eyes filled with tears and desperation.
"Lisa, can I talk to you about something important?" Clara whispered, her voice shaking with emotion.
Lisa nodded, her heart breaking for her friend's pain. "Of course, Clara. You can talk to me about anything. What's on your mind?"
Clara took a deep breath before speaking, the words tumbling out of her mouth in a rush. "I...I don't know how to say this, but I don't have enough money to continue my education.
With my mom gone, there's no one to support me financially. I don't want to burden you or anyone else, but I don't know what to do. I love school so much, but I don't want to stop studying."
Lisa felt a lump form in her thr
