St. Malsen High

Prologue

"You get one chance. I'll pay the scholarship for you, but from now on you work for me. You will do everything I tell you to do. Any questions?"
I stared into the car window, but no matter how I hard I tried I just couldn't see the face of the voice. It was a man's voice, slightly off in the way he was deepening it on purpose.

I give you one chance.

This was my only ticket from this crappy town. My only way of going to a university. I'd heard that all universities accepted the students who had gone to Malsen High. Some even offered scholarships even if the students didn't need it. Firms reached out to offer you jobs before you even started university.

I give you one chance.

This was the only chance I've ever gotten. I was going to take it even if it lead straight to my death. I was sick and tired of waiting for something great that would never happen. No university would ever offer me a scholarship. No. Not to the girl who grew up in the poorest town in USA. A girl that doesn't play any sports and hasn't won any competitions. Even though the reason I didn't win was because I didn't have money to travel to the places where the finals were held. Computer science competitions, Math competitions, Physics competitions... I had tried so hard. I studied all the time. People said that success was 1% talent and 99% hard work. They were wrong. I believe it is 1% talent, 69% hard work and 30% luck. I was never one of the privileged kind of people. Nor was I a lucky person. I never met a rich hot guy who fell in love with me and offered me the world. And I wasn't going to wait like a fool.
I knew that this deal meant the end of my freedom, but I couldn't live one more second like this.

"No questions, sir. I understand." Who are you? What is it you want me to do for you? How long do I have to be your slave?

"Good. Good luck in St. Malsen High. After the winter exams I want to see your name as the top student of your school. Half a year is enough time for me to determine your worth. Okay?"

No. "Yes."