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sweethearts: not so easy!

Chapter 1: Scholarship

Anderson Ashley, is very nervous as she is supposed to start year one at the prestigious Lowart University. She stood outside the tall rusty gate of the school, trying to calm her nervous heart.

'it's going to be okay, just try not to draw attention' she thought to herself. But that's not possible, whether she intends to or not, just standing in front of the gate has made her the Centre of attention. She has big ocean blue eyes, ink black hair, a pointed nose, cherry lips and an oval shaped face and fair skin that seems to glow. She looked heavenly.

She quietly walked into the school, since it's her first time she looked lost. Looking at the different buildings ahead of her she felt like she's in a high end estate. She felt this way because she comes from a very humble background. If not for the fact that she's really intelligent, she won't be in this school. She looked dazed while remembering that faithful day a woman in suit came looking for her, she looked at the 'not so beautiful' woman in a pink suit, with a stern looking face. She timidly asked "what can I help you with, ma'am? "

The woman in a pink suit quietly looked her up and down before opening her previously pursed lips " I'm here to offer you a scholarship to lowart University, because of your academic achievement, I've decided to help you out. Your former principal Mr Ronald talked to me about your family's financial situation, and I thought it'll be good to give this opportunity to you " she said in an equally stern voice.

Ash looked shocked, then surprised and then grateful, she looked as if random thoughts flashed through her mind that earned her different expressions. " how long will this scholarship last"? She carefully asked.

The pink stern lady said " as long as you don't falter with your academic performance, I'm willing to sponsor you till you graduate "

Gratitude filled Ashley's face as she said " thank you" repeatedly almost crying.

She knows better than to dream of furthering her education, her mother is the sole breadwinner of her family, her father died when she was just eight years old. Her mother works as a cleaner, earns very little so she planned on getting a job right after grade school. She walked the woman out still expressing her thanks. Before the pink woman entered her car she turned around to face Ashley, then in her stern voice she instructed " make sure you get to the school by Monday, we need to finalize your admission process. The school will provide you with everything you may need, all we ask of you in return is your undivided attention to your studies" she stepped into her car and wound down she finally said " be punctual" before stepping on her gas pedal and speeding off. Ash stood there dazed for some minutes, trying to make sure it's really not a dream. She confirmed it when she felt a gush of wind hit her. While shivering slightly she made her way back home. Immediately she stepped inside she felt someone pull her hands, slightly shocked she saw her mom asking her loads of questions without taking a breath. "who was that woman? What was she talking to you about for so long? Did you get in trouble without me realizing? Why aren't you saying anything?" Her mother asked anxiously.

Ash answered her helplessly " mom, I didn't cause any trouble, actually she came here to offer me a scholarship" she smiled when she remembered the scholarship.

Her mother gave a loud shriek and pulled her into a tight hug, her eyes watered as she spoke her voice shook a little " I'm so happy Ash, you don't know how relived I'm that you're going to pursue your dreams finally, if only I was not such a useless mother, you would have had a pleasant life all these years. You chose to work because I am incompetent, I'm so sorry" she cried on her child's shoulder

Ashley felt a clamp on her heart, she tried to hold back her tears as she consoled her mother "mom stop saying that, I know how much you've worked hard all these years so I could be comfortable and I'm grateful mom. I promise to work harder and make your remaining days void of heartache and pains" 'I'll double my effort so mom will have a beautiful life in the future' she thought to herself. The mother daughter duo walked into the crumped apartment and settled on the old cushion. They talked about the scholarship in detail and made plans for Monday, then her mom went into the kitchen to prepare dinner.

She woke up from her thoughts when she felt someone grazed past her, caught off guard she almost fell to the floor. Anticipating the pain from the fall, but it never came, she realized she was been held by a large palm on her waist. Opening her eyes she saw him.