The Scholarship Girl

THE AUTHOR'S POV

The morning sun hit the screen of Elora's phone, illuminating her best friend's face via video call.

"You're going to be fine, Elora. It's just a new school," Maya's voice crackled from thousands of miles away. "Why is your esteem injured this morning?"

Elora adjusted the stiff, designer blazer of Saint Jude's uniform. It felt like a costume.

"It's a school for the elites, Maya. I'm not going there because I'm an elite-I'm going because I won a scholarship. You know how these rich kids behave. They bully people who aren't of the same class."

"Who says you're not of the same class? You think you're not worthy to school there because you can't afford their fees? Well, baby, regardless of that, you got in and if you're not proud of yourself, I'm super proud of you. You don't have to be elite to feel worthy of standard education. So get rid of that feeling. Put on your blazer already and get going."

Elora smiled despite herself. "That is one hell of a speech, Maya."

"I know." Maya flipped her hair dramatically.

They both laughed.

Elora's face turned serious. "Thank you, so much. I really needed that."

"You're welcome, baby girl. I really can't understand how a machine like you is scared of humans. Girl, you solve calculus for fun. Humans should be scared of you."

"I'm not going to hear the end of it, am I?"

"No, not from me."

Elora shook her head in amusement.

"Girl, you look good. Get going already," Maya said, rolling her eyes.

*****

ELORA

I couldn't help but feel anxious as my taxi pulled up at the school gate.

"Girl, you gonna get down or what?" The driver asked, his gaze on me.

"Uhm, I'm sorry. I'm just trying to take in the view. He let out a small smile.

Of course he caught me in my lie. I was just buying time to calm my nerves.

It can't be that bad, Lora, I told myself.

"Don't be scared, dear. Just be true to yourself. You'll love it here."

I took a few seconds to study the driver. For the first time since I got in his vehicle, I noticed he looks old. The late forties kind of old.

"You've got a child here?"

He looked at me from the rear mirror. "No, can't afford it."

"My parents can't too"

"Then I guess you're on scholarship?"

"Yeah"

"Girl, you've got the brains, I assure you it's nothing you can't hamdle"

I appreciate his efforts of trying to ease my anxiousness.

Taking in a deep breath, I said "Thank you"

"I'll need to get back to work" he said with a small smile.

"Right." I returned the smile and alighted the vehicle.

"Enjoy your first day" then he drove off.

With a relaxed mind and a smile on my face, I headed for the entrance.

The school has two entrances-two massive gates. One for the junior section and the other for the senior section.

You've got this, Elora.

The moment I stepped in, it felt like I was breathing completely different air. The architecture was stunning and screaming luxury.

The way the white stone and tinted glass complemented each other made the whole building look like it was carved out of one giant, expensive diamond. It was all sharp lines and expensive-looking curves.

Right in the center of the main courtyard was a massive stone fountain. The water was so clear it looked like liquid crystal, making a soft, melodic splash that echoed against the glass walls.

Students started to troop in singles and groups. I watched them all walk in, looking so perfectly put together.

I just stood there, clutching my bag, feeling like a single gray smudge on a very white, very expensive canvas.

The difference between me and these kids is obvious.

"We'd better get settled in and stop comparing ourselves to these kids," I jumped, startled.

"Hey, you scared me." I greeted, with a smile.

"My apologies" he bowed a little and we both laughed lightly.

"I'm guessing you're a fellow scholarship student, yeah?"

"What's my tell?" there was a surprised look on my face.

He smiled. "You're standing alone, looking around, admiring the school and studying these rich kids in your own way. You'll never find an elite kid doing something like that."

"Wow, that's one hell of a tell. You sure know how to study someone"

"Joseph, but you can call me Josh. If that helps, I'm a scholarship student too." He extended his hand for a handshake, still smiling.

"Elora, and yes, it helps." I smiled back as I shook his hand.

"Got your schedule yet?"

"No, I'm still trying to find my way around. I can't locate the principal's office."

"You've not looked, have you?"

"What's my tell this time?"

He burst out laughing. "It's in the left wing of the science building, after the math lab. It won't be difficult to locate."

"Okay then, Thank you."

"I should get going. Guess I'll see you in class."

"Yeah, sure." I watched him leave.

I smiled at myself and started for the science building.Schooling here can't be that bad right?

Walking through the empty hallway, I found myself in front of a room labeled "Staff Room."

Staff room? Shit, I'm on the wrong floor.

How did I even get here?

Before I could move any further, a signboard at the left wing of the building caught my eye. It read "Advanced Math Wing."

I felt an instant adrenaline rush as anxiousness melted away and enthusiasm took over. Math has always been my safe space.

Thoughts of finding the principal's office left me instantly, and I began to explore the wing. I walked further and noticed a door labeled "Math Lab" was left ajar.

Moving closer, the first thing I noticed was an equation on the board, and my enthusiasm took another step forward.

Seconds before I would have walked into the room to solve the equation for fun, something landed at my feet.

An electric marker.

It was at that moment I noticed I wasn't alone.

I looked closer and saw a student who hadn't noticed me yet, pouring out his frustration over his inability to solve the equation. Curious, I started to watch what he was up to.

He scribbled a formula, hissed a curse word, and erased it so hard the board rattled. He tried again. Wrong.

"Fucking hell! I fucking hate math! This is shit! Fuck it all and fuck y'all!" he kept yelling. He picked up his notebook and tore it to pieces. He flung his iPad across the room, threw his school bag at the board where the equation was written, and continued cursing and yelling.

I couldn't help but smile sheepishly. I couldn't believe math was making someone this agitated.

With a roar of frustration, he threw the second marker. It bounced off the wall, and I caught it mid-air.

He didn't notice me until I walked in. The silence was heavy. I quietly walked to the board, my eyes glittering, the marker rotating between my fingers.

In three swift moves, I solved the equation that had been torturing my prince in distress.

I turned toward him, still smiling, and said, "It's just math. You don't have to be so worked up. It's easier to solve with the method I just showed you."

"Learn to mind your fucking business. I didn't ask for a tutor." He shoved me and walked away.

I stood there in shock.

This baby monster boy who cannot solve a simple equation looked at me in disgust, picked up his broken iPad and school bag, and walked out.

Guess I was wrong after all. I really should mind my business, and my business right now is to find the principal's office.

With my enthusiasm dead, I turned around and left.