scholarship | p1harmony

chapter three

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"a what?"

your mouth hangs open in complete shock and disbelief. they're offering you a scholarship for punching one of their students? is this a prank?

"yes, you heard correctly." the principle straightens out his suit. "and as you might know, scholarships are almost never given out."

"well-um-i-" you struggle to get your words out as all the teachers in the room wait for your response. "i don't know..."

"of course, the scholarship comes with free uniforms, school meals, a bursary, and a room in the boarding area, if that is required."

"no, i don't..." you clear your throat. "i have to ask my parents first."

"yes, of course, that is understandable." the man nods and attempts a smile, which makes him look even more intimidating.

an awkward silence passes between you, and the teacher that welcomed you into the room takes your delivery bag off you.

"thank you for the food. here's your money and a little tip-"

you stick out your arm and three paper notes are dropped onto your palm. only in acadia will they treat £50 as a little tip...

you shuffle your weight from foot to foot as a whispered conversation rises between the adults in the room. you take this as a chance to leave, and quietly edge backwards towards the door.

the headteacher notices you. "i take that you're leaving now?"

you nod, pink flushing your cheeks in embarrassment of being caught, and nod in a sign of farewell. the man does the same back.

you exit the room and carefully close the door behind you with a loud exhale.

"i can't believe they gave me a scholarship..." you say quietly to yourself and nearly get a heart attack when you hear someone's squeal.

"you! a scholarship?!"

your head turns to the voice and you see a girl stood a few metres away from you with her hands on her hips. you almost didn't recognise her, but it was the annoying short-haired girl from before.

you roll your eyes and try to walk past her when a hand grands your arm. tightly.

"don't even think about ignoring me. you still need to pay for what you did-"

a yawn escapes your lips. "maybe another time? i have better things to do in my life rather than chase after people. sorry."

one of her thin eyebrows raises and an outraged expression is pressed onto the girl's face. it was so exaggerated you thought she would be a good actress in a musical. you glance down at her hand wrapped around your arm then look back up at her twisted face.

"do you mind letting go?"

suddenly, her free hand raises up above her head and you squeeze your eyes shut to prepare yourself for impact. you freeze as you don't feel anything hit your face. carefully opening your eyes, you see a larger, musclier hand grasping the girl's.

"uh-?"

"it's not very ladylike to hit others, ophelia."

the boy is super tall, probably 5'11 or 6', with jet black hair that falls just before his eyes and a slightly big rounded nose. your heart nearly stops—you've never seen someone so effortlessly handsome.

his almond-shaped eyes roll onto you, and you can't help but focus on his perked lips as he utters a sentence directed at you: "are you alright?"

"y-yeah." you stutter and you feel your cheeks get hot under the boy's amused gaze.

"pull yourself together, y/n!" you shout inwardly, and clear your throat before you repeat yourself this time without a stutter.

the boy nods. he lets go of ophelia and she lets go of you almost simultaneously. you rub where she was grabbing onto you. you think it'll leave a bruise.

"i-intak!" the bully finally speaks, a sourly-sweet smile on her face. "what are you doing here?" you watch her eyes scout around the boy and the corridor behind him. "where are the others?"

he walks past her. "it doesn't concern you." is his last sentence before he disappears around the corner.

ophelia is left dumbfounded at his blunt reply, and you let out a laugh before scooting around her and walking away to leave the building.

you're nearly outside when you hear someone call out your name: "hey! y/n!"

"lucas!" you reply, happy to see a familiar face.

it seems that he was waiting outside the whole time.

he walks up to you. "so? what did they say?"

"uh..." you raise your arm up to scratch your head. "they... offered me a scholarship?"

"a what?" he shouts, so loud that students walking past turn to look in your direction. you quickly place your palm over his gaping mouth.

"shush! i don't want people to know!"

"why not? this is world-record breaking news!" he says, his voice muffled behind your hand. he takes it off his mouth and holds it in his. "you should accept it. for commoners, this is an opportunity you just can't give up."

you furrow your eyebrows in confusion. "you said it was hell before?"

"i know, and it is, but this is different. i have a good feeling about you, y/n. i feel like you'll change this school for the better."

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author's note
very very very late update..... sorry p1eces D:
also happy 1k views!!!!! ty + ly all sm!!!!!