She waited for that sign. The sign that could land her the college of her dreams. She sat down on one of the several plastic chairs, holding onto a couple of manila folders. Inside those folders are papers—her past three years of accomplishments. Waiting for the moment, she anticipated the good news.

Of course Zillah Cord expected good.

Zillah has been one of the best students of Lulling High, in the top five of her class. She understood her time in high school is nearly done. She has been ready for the next step. To enter college. Specifically down east to the capital of Louisiana, Baton Rouge, there laid the state's number one school, Louisiana State University. It has always been a dream of hers to go there. Her late grandmother and her father went there. She would be the third generation to get her degree there.

She continued to wait as the clock ticked. She has a meeting with someone important, but knew he was very busy. Inside the Administration Office, there are four offices. She's closely near the right door where she will have her meeting. The office belonged to Mr. Craig Harp, the Guidance Counselor. His name etched on the frosty glass, door window.

Sitting adjacent in her own little island, a petite adult female dressed like she came from the fifties are doing files. She's Mrs. Ambrose, the Principal's sectary and most loved to all students. Free spirited and honest to the fault. She's busy doing administrative stuff. The phone nearby her has constantly been ringing. She has so many things to do, she may need an assistant. But she doesn't want it.

Zillah smirked when Mrs. Ambrose gave her one of her plucky smiles. The door next to Zillah suddenly opened and a thin man walked out near the edge. Wearing silver rimmed glasses and having a rugged look, like he came out of a Fisherman magazine.

He's the man Zillah came to see. Mr. Craig.

"Ms. Cord." He said in a gruffly tone.

Zillah looked alerted when she turned to see him. She smiled as she stood up. Getting up, after sitting for the past twenty minutes, she fixed her long skirt in the proper alignment. One thing about Zillah, she detested to appear messy. She knew looking nice has been one of her great attributes.

Holding her folders like she do with her books and as well carrying her fabric bag, she entered Mr. Craig's room. Mr. Craig hastily got behind his desk and signaled Zillah to sit nearby. She accepted, sitting down on the single chair facing his desk, feeling the soft cushion of the hard leather. The whole room had been filled with dark oak furniture and leather chairs. It showed of a murky smell, but not in a manner it reeked.

"Sorry, I took so long. I had a meeting with another student's parent."

"It's okay, Mr. Craig."

"Well, I have a funny feeling. You're not going to change the college you want to pursue."

"LSU is where my family had a deep connection to. I can't abandon it."

"I know, you told me about that promise you made to your grandmother."

The promise she made to her late grandmother, tethered to her heart. Zillah promised her she will get to LSU no matter what and pursued her path to photography. Her grandmother was once a famous Louisiana photographer. She always took pictures of local treasures, and manipulated the camera so much. The moment you look at the picture, it spoke of a fairy tale. Her works became one of a kind, even the Governor requested to have one.

Zillah realized how hard it is to follow in her grandmother's shoes. She took photography class last year. She even used her grandmother's notebook—notes her grandmother used to mention some of her tricks in how to develop wonderful pictures.

Ever since her grandmother passed, Zillah has been determined to keep that promise. Fulfill it when she graduated from high school. And she at least has ninety more days before the big day.

"Zillah, did you take my recommendation to go do a LSU visit during the Winter Break." Mr. Craig asked interested.

"I did. My mom went with, one of those few times she gotten a chance to."

"That's fantastic, Zillah!" He smiled. "I'm waiting for my contacts at LSU to give me any push."

"Aw, thanks Mr. Craig. Thanks for everything you have done."

"No, thank you. Thanks for being a wonderful and focused student. Who else would get a 3.9 GPA and have consistent grades. You've always been resolute, I like that about you." He said suddenly very suave.

Zillah appreciated every word.

"Listen, the misses is planning a little dinner party for tonight. She would love to have you and your family to come over. Who knows by that time, I might have the good news we been waiting for."

Hesitant at first, Zillah seemed ecstatic. "I need to talk to my parents about it. See if it's a possibility."

"Don't rush! Take your time. My wife is a great cook. But really consider it, I really think its best. I hope I can see you there." He stood up.

Zillah do the same, thrilled over this and the expectation with Mr. Craig's connections, she can get in. She thanked him again, getting her stuff ready. Placing her folders inside the bag—inside there's a quick view of a digital camera. She held the bag around her left side, and stepped out of the office. As she exited, she set to say bye to Mrs. Ambrose. Before she can, Mr. Craig quickly ran out to stop her.

"I almost forget." He said almost losing his breath. He continued, "There was a scholarship I wanted to talk to you about. I'll give you more info tonight." He smiled.

"Thanks. I can't wait." She replied.

She turned back around and swiftly waved bye to Mrs. Ambrose. Mrs. Ambrose winked at her.

"Good luck, Zillah." She said happily.

Mr. Craig continued to smile, pausing a few more seconds. He headed back inside his room.

Out to the hallway; Zillah held onto her bag firmly. She dug through her skirt pocket and took out a small picture. She glared down viewing her toddler self and her grandmother. Her grandmother had the same tan skin and brunette hair, but more grey streaks.

Zillah rested the picture tight to her chest. She looked up in a serene mood.

"We're almost there, Nan."

~~~

Zillah sipped on a multi-layered latte, sitting in an outdoor café table with her female friends she had since middle school. They're all wearing casual clothes, almost like they're having a summertime brunch.

The girl with the long silky hair to Zillah's right seemed to be Ava Geris, same age like Zillah, seventeen-years-old. Ava has tan skin similar to Zillah, but Ava is Hispanic descent. Ava spoke English, but has a Spanish dialect. At times she spoke her native language. Ava hasn't been afraid of talking about her past. She had been by Zillah's side all the way. While Zillah done excellent in school work, Ava looked to be okay; she even sought Ava to tutor her.

The girl with short red hair on the other side has got to be Samantha, just a month away from turning seventeen. She usually went by "Sammie" to her close friends. Sammie liked to bounce around different circles in school. Most of the times, she found ways to get into the popular circle. The benefits of getting in the circle are learning juicy news regarding parties and who's hosting them.

"Jackson West is having his wild party tonight." Sammie said.

She turned to Zillah, lean forward a bit. "Miles will be there."

Zillah don't pay any attention; she continued to sip her drink. It seemed Miles—someone close to her—hasn't impressed her.

Ava understood Zillah hated to talk about her and Miles, what he did to her. She tried to change the picture. She held her mocha latte in one hand while wiggling her fingers of her other hand.

"Jackson always delivers the best parties of the year." Ava mentioned.

Being one of the most popular seniors at school, Jackson had got it right. The girls go gaga over him. He may not be a wiz in academics, but when it comes to athletics he has been nicknamed by many classmates and teammates as the 'Wizard of Baseball'.

Zillah have always heard about them. Jackson had hosted from his freshman year up to the one before this past New Year's Eve, twenty parties. Zillah never went to any of them. Sammie got a chance to get in some, Ava rarely go besides just one. These girls don't have the attributes to go to a Jackson West party, but they found loopholes to get into some. Jackson haven't stopped them, he liked it.

The more students who come—friends or no friends—the more he becomes popular.

"He likes being the best. He wants to the best of everything." Ava said.

"Well not getting a girlfriend." Sammie responded.

"Tell that to Liz." Ava said.

"Liz who?" Sammie looked shocked to who Ava was referring to. "Liz Apple, the overzealous cheerleader?!"

"That's the one." Ava replied. "I overheard other girls talking about Liz always tried and failed many times to get Jackson to be her boyfriend. She even used..." Ava immediately stopped once she glanced at Zillah.

Ava knew what happened, why it would reflect back to Zillah. It's something in the past that always ticked Zillah off.

"I understand." Trying to keep a calm demeanor, not wanting to squabble or cry over it. Zillah remained cool, still sipping her drink. She stopped and explained to the girls. "I don't care about it. What happen happened, I can't change it."

She's doing everything she can not to react crazy about it. But she knew every time when she heard Liz's name; it will bring back hurtful memories to her and Miles.

Like Sammie said, Miles is still going to the party. Zillah understood. She's the last person to defend Miles and help him out. She's only wanted to think what she will get out of this.

"Should I even go, Miles's a friend. If I see them, I'll think of you." Ava struggled to let out.

"Don't worry about me. Go. I have a reason not to be there."

"And what's that? It's really not because of Miles and what happened to you guys."

"Enough!" Zillah said sternly. "It's not about him...us."

"What is it about?" Sammie asked.

Zillah exhaled a bit. "I couldn't go if I wanted to. I got offered an invite to a dinner party."

"From whom?" Sammie wondered peaked.

"Mr. Craig." Zillah answered with humility.

Sammie looked over to Ava, and raise her left eyebrow like she was impressed about something.

"What?!" Zillah said confused.

Ava hesitated to answer. Sammie remained tight-lipped.

Zillah explained, "His wife is hosting the dinner. She wants me...and my parents."

Sammie can't hold it anymore and just giggled mildly. Zillah still don't get it why Sammie is acting funny.

"Mr. Craig has a crush on you." Sammie said jokingly.

"What?!" Zillah remained flummoxed. She can't believe Sammie said an insulating claim.

"Sammie, why you said that?" Ava questioned.

"You know the counselor always like to get close to Zillah."

"Really, Samantha!" Zillah almost hollered out loud almost alerting everyone else around them, disturbing their lunches.

Zillah continued. "Mr. Craig is what 38. I'm 17! Isn't that reaching predatory status?"

"Maybe." Ava tried to consider it.

Zillah thought about it, in some context why Mr. Craig wanted her there at his house. Is he using his wife's invitation and the mention of the scholarship as a ruse? It sounded crazy to her. Zillah looked displeased while the girls laughed it off.

Ava hoped to change the subject yet again, she informed Zillah about something interesting.

"You know Naomi, my older sister."

"Yeah, what's up?"

"Well, she just had a friend's brother competing in a race for a particular scholarship last year. It's almost $150,000. Having it, you can use it for any college. It will help tremendously in paying for tuition and everything."

"I heard about it." Sammie said.

"Me...too." Zillah said oddly, she lean her head down thinking about it.

"Naomi said it's the best scholarship in Louisiana."

"Of course!" Zillah glared back at Ava. She realized what Ava was talking about. "The Dream Scholarship."

The $150,000 scholarship aka the Dream Scholarship was created by one man. The esteemed Senator Talibeaux, the Republican representative who just recently won his Senate reelection last November. He created that scholarship to fuel high schoolers' passion. He was tired of having his kids and other senators' kids getting a free ride. So he established a grant to help the non-elite kids. He decided to have a unique race, forcing only one lucky, young Louisianan to win it.

However Zillah just don't feel good about this one.

"I'm not best for it." She continued while playing with her straw. "I have the grades. I got the credits to put me in early admission. I just think that scholarship isn't well suited for me."

"Well it better be." Ava said awkwardly.

Zillah questioned why it would. Ava gulped a bit. She sipped her mocha latte, and explained what she done.

"I told my sister how I can get into the running. She helped me filled out the form. But I withheld putting my name on it. Once I finally put the name on the first box, I didn't put mines."

"Really?" Sammie said. "Is Ava really your name?" She said sarcastically.

Ava playfully dissed her. She turned back to Zillah. "I put yours."

"You're kidding me." Zillah said flabbergasted.

"I had to, I believe in you." Ava has faith.

"I doubt it." Zillah said tastefully. She stood up surprisingly, "It's best to end this chat."

She quickly grabbed her bag below the table, and bypassed a waiter, nearly hitting him along with a large tray of plates. She apologized to him; she pivoted back to the girls. She waved bye so quick, the girls have no time to react back. And with that Zillah walked off.

Ava and Sammie are absolutely stunned.

"It's something I said?" Sammie wondered.

Ava believed she understood why Zillah left.

Zillah holding tight to her bag, still can't fathom what just happened. She was thinking about Mr. Craig's mention to a scholarship. But then Ava got her in the running to one she never wanted.

There no turning back. Can there be a way to turn back? Zillah wanted one, she can't just ignore it while take Mr. Craig's scholarship offer. Just what she needed, she hoped Mr. Craig has a better one. But can there be another.

The Dream Scholarship is still the best grant any senior can get. It will help tremendously. So why in the world she's fighting it.

It can't be that bad. It was rated the best scholarship in the last decade. She don't get it, she just don't see this could be her golden ticket to LSU.

There might be other scholarships out in the country, but do it compare to the Dream Scholarship. Are any of them better?

She still has time. But can it be enough, she has a promise to keep.