Kayla Nakamura was the definition of a teacher's dream student. With her family coming to America when she was a young girl and slaving away to give themselves and her a better life in the nation, she was determined to work hard and make all their hard work and dedication worth it, and she showed it in her grades.
Kayla was a star student, Getting A's across the board in every subject and dedicating most if not all of her time to her academic achievements. She put all her spare hours toward extracurricular activities and excelled at every one of them. She was beloved by all her teachers as the role model that every teacher would want in their class.
The role of star pupil however came at a cost. Kayla had trouble making friends. The ones she did make she could barely maintain from her hectic schedule. And in terms of relationships? She couldn't even think about it. Not only was her schedule too jam-packed to worry about men but her family came from a very conservative background, the thought of anything related to sex or relationships seemed completely taboo.
She pushed those thoughts to the back of her mind and told herself to direct her attention to her grades. Kayla ground her way through most of high school. Getting outstanding grades with a goal of attending medical school in her dream college from her grades and remarkable SAT scores. However, during her senior year, her mother became extremely ill and bedridden. Forcing her to step up and take care of her family.
She not only had to grind her way through school, but also slave away at home, tutoring her two brothers, making dinner, cleaning the house, and at the same time attending a part-time job to make sure the lights stayed on. She tried her best but her grades dropped significantly. Going from every teacher's dream student to slightly below average.
Still, Her SAT scores were high, and her grades from her previous years were stellar. She applied to the college anyway. Knowing she couldn't afford it and would be forced to settle for less at the very least wanted the sense of pride to know that she had gotten accepted. Weeks of grinding between school, work, and chores went by before the college emailed her back, Asking to meet. She was star-struck.
Despite all the work on her hands she was jittery and excited and finished everything with a smile on her face. The day of her appointment with the student counselor came by and she hugged her family close before heading out the door, excited to see what opportunities awaited her. She stepped off the bus and walked into the campus. Stunned by not only the view but also the fact that she was standing at her dream college, about to be interviewed for a shot at getting accepted in, something she dreamed about since she was a little girl.
Kayla thought she might pass out from all the excitement until an older man walked toward her. "Excuse me, Are you Miss Nakamura?"
The man looked mature, probably in his 30s with a scruffy light brown beard and a round pair of glasses on his face.
"Oh uh, Yes!" Kayla replied in the awkward, shy way she tended to when meeting new people.
"I'm Richard, I'm the counselor that emailed you, it's so nice to meet you".
"It's nice to meet you, Richard! So are we doing the meeting right now?" Kayla asked impatiently.
Richard smirked, The awkward young woman before him was full of energy. "Follow me to my office".
The two of them walked toward the building and made their way into a small office at the end of the hall. Richard closed the door behind them as they entered and he sat down on his chair.
Kayla sat down on hers at the opposite side of the table. Richard began to speak.
"We've seen your records and we were quite amazed," Richard said with a positive tone, "the essay you sent us was astonishing, and the things you've done in your first three years of high school were remarkable, not to mention your SAT scores."
Kayla sat proudly as the counselor went on about her achievements. Knowing how much effort she put into her grades, it was satisfying to see someone appreciate them.
"However," Richard hesitated. "In your last year of high school, your grades dropped significantly, from the emails you sent us we understand that your mother was ill and you had gone through some tough times and so we want to make it easier for you, we want to grant you a scholarship and admit you into our university."
Richard stared at the girl in front of her. Expecting her to be quite excited. To his surprise, she seemed to be more worried than anything. "Will...it be a full-ride scholarship?" Kayla asked with a concerned look on her face.
Richard took off his glasses. "I'm afraid your last year of school prevents you from getting a full ride, however, we'll gladly accept you and with financial aid and loans...".
Richard's words just seemed to trail off in Kayla's ears. Her dream was already dead. There was no way she could go through with the burden of putting her parents in debt, her family hardly had enough to keep the lights on, and to make them put up with something as expensive as this? They had already sacrificed enough for her, she couldn't put them through this.
"Somehow I knew it would come to this," she thought to herself.
"I'm sorry Mr. Richard," she said with a forced smile. "While I'm very honored to be accepted into your university I'm afraid I can't attend without a full ride, however, I'm very thankful for the opportunity and time you took out for me, I appreciate it more than you can imagine, please don't let me take the rest of your day, I'll be out and on my way."
Richard scratched his chin and looked at the young woman, seeing her grim expression, and then examining her body. She was slim with smooth brown skin and long black hair that reached her shoulders. She had big D-cup breasts that she tried her best to hide but still ended up being very prominent to everyone who got a look at her.
He sat silent for a minute. "Wait," He said raising his hand and calling for her to stop. "There is an option that might intrigue you, Ms. Kayla".
Kayla sat back down in her seat, waiting for what Richard had to say. Richard spoke in a more serious, hushed town.
"There is a certain scholarship we offer to our female students. One that guarantees a full ride and some bonus perks if said student is accepted in the university." Kayla's eyes were open wide, waiting for Richard to continue now on the edge of her seat.
"Well? What is it?" she said eagerly.
Richard continued, "You can be allowed a full-ride scholarship to our university with added benefits on the contract that you serve as.....' stress relief' for the students and teachers here."