crocodile (BWWM)

2

Reneé

Waking up a night after partying for most would usually be the hardest, but I was pumped and excited for today.  A day I had been planning for the last four months of this year. 

Imani was the first to wake up at 7 AM and went to the dining hall to get me a strawberry smoothie and a sandwich. The best thing I had ever put in my mouth.

"How do you plan to impact the community with this opportunity if you are given it?" Imani questioned. 

"Growing up, I lived in multiple different countries. This has made me feel a loss of a sense of belonging. However, I pushed the thought of not being in a community out. I joined different community service programs and other impact opportunities that have shown me several issues in all the communities I grew up, the most prevalent being the lack of resources for young minds and children to speak their truth. I plan to dedicate my time to allowing these children to know that their voices however little they are can be heard. And a voice isn't just about speaking, but the actions you take to help grow the community you live in."

We continued going over many other prompts and it was already time to go.

"Wow, you're awesome," Imani hummed lightly, "You deserve this more than anyone I know."

Getting off my bed, I walked over to her engulfing her into a hug. Her help has prepared me so much for this. Just getting up early to get me breakfast and doing everything in her power to make sure that I was prepared was something I was extremely grateful for. I wasn't going to tell her that though I thought it was corny saying it out loud. 

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Walking towards the general studies building of the campus, the morning sun and breeze gave me a sense of freedom. After today, I would be able to live comfortably on campus without placing a burden on my mother. She sacrificed a lot for me to be here, the least I can do is repay her. 

"Hello, I'm Reneé Asante, a freshman, College of Natural Sciences Bio major." It told the young volunteer. 

"Here you go," she handed me a placer ticket and some paperwork to fill out, "good luck!"

As my anxiety started to kick, I thought about random things that would ease my mind. Jimin, Mango juice, my next hairstyle, Thanksgiving break, the boy from yesterday.

What was he doing here?

"Can I have Reneé Asante and James Perrault come in?" His dark eyes searched the room looking for any movement before landing on me. 

Standing up, along with who I assumed to be James, we both followed behind him. 

"I'm Aaron, a student volunteer. A sophomore. My family awards these scholarship opportunities, so I help out once in a while. If you have any questions just ask me or any of the other volunteers you see here." Turning around to look at us, I noticed some more features of his that weren't so visible in the dark party light. He had a small scar on the side of his left eye and a small beauty mark on his neck in the shape of an M. Cool.

James and I both whispered thank you and entered the interview room. Saying a light praying to God and breathing in deeply I entered and sat as the panel of judges went through our papers.

"Unlike recent years, we will only ask one question to determine if you will be part of this experience. Judging based on both your academics and services, we know that you will be capable of working with us. However, only one of you in this room can be picked."

Okay... umm, light work no reaction?

"So the question is...?" She paused, suspense in the air. As my mind raced over the thousands of videos I had watched over the years of winners, I could not place a finger on what question she would ask.