The air in school suddenly changed.
The hallways were quieter. The jokes were fewer. Even the noisiest students were buried in textbooks. The final examination was knocking — loud and clear.
But something else stirred the atmosphere that week.
During assembly, the principal stepped forward with a flier in his hand. His voice rang through the field.
"As we approach the final exams, we are excited to announce a new academic competition," he began. "Two lucky winners — one from senior and one from junior class — will receive a special prize."
Heads turned. Eyes lit up.
"To win," he continued, "you must not only pass your exams with excellence, but also show consistency, discipline, and leadership. We want students who represent growth, not just grades."
A low murmur spread through the students.
The prize? A full scholarship and an exclusive mentorship program with top universities — including the possibility of an international summer program.
I froze.
A chance like this… could change everything.
Tope and I looked at each other.
"I'm going for it," she whispered.
I nodded slowly. "Me too."
But deep down, doubt started to creep in.
Could I really win this?
Was my change enough to make me stand out?
Later that night, I stared at my study table. My books were open, but my mind wandered.
Then I remembered what Tope said during my breakdown: "You're not here to be liked. You're here to grow."
And for the first time, I didn't study out of fear — I studied with purpose.
The countdown to the examination had begun.
But this time, I wasn't just running from failure.
I was running toward something.