The school bells ring across the hallway of the prestigious private highschool of Walton in Maine . This school is quite exclusive with its recruitment process as they would send out applicationto apply for their school but they won't guarantee an acceptance due the high grades requirements and among other things but consider the amount of resources that this school has . From facilities to staffs to the teaching program, this school can be compared to top 10 colleges . It's almost impossible to apply and get in as the school in recent years , the school has implemented a scholarship program to recruit high potential students that simply don't have the chance to even apply . One of the recipient is Marie Kanker from Georgia , coming from a poor single mother house with 2 other sisters has risen in her county with her literary and art works during her final year in middle school that has impressed the school to take a chance on her . Simply said , they haven't been disappointed as after a few months of adjustments , she has established herself as a potential Valid Victorian for her class fod the last 3 years and her final year won't be any different . Right ?
After returning home for the summer , she immediately notice an oddly sense of longing like sure , the school was great and all but home has always been in her heart yet this time , it feels like something is missing. She can't shake the feelings through her usual means of entertainment so after a few days of trying to the issue, she finally sit down at her computer to really think about her junior year at the school . The previous 2 were quite different as she studied and then went home in the summer to enjoy family time yet this time family time isn't fun . It's not because of her family , they have been and still quite supportive of her achievement yet she doesn't feel happy to be here . Going through her list of activities that bring joy to her , she finds nothing on the list can bring joy to her , not to the same extend like it was before . Thinking about the list of reasons , she doesn't find anything conclusive until she notice a stack of books on her shelves that are bind together with a red ribbon and note stick on it . She remember where she got it and in a moment of warmth , she smiles then she realized what happened . She clutches her heart and understand what is happening . She is in love and the person of her love is back at the school whom doesn't know about her affection the slightess , not because he is insensitive but he is too oblivious . She let out a quite scream at the idea of her having a crush on someone and embarassed at the idea that is him of all people . Not because he is a horrible person , actually he is a wonderfull person but the amount of hurdles to get to him is like climping Everest , death at every turn. She let out a sigh and turn of the computer , walking out of the room to get a quick breath of fresh air ,may be meeting up some old friend to help clear her mind , may be finding some advice for the situation . She text an old gal in the neighborhood and actuallly got a text back .
Marie : Hey , it's me , Marie . Can i head over to you ? I need to talk with someone . Girly stuff.
Nazz : Sure , actually don't have any plan tonight , just head over and may be have dinner with me and my folks .
Marie smiles bright as she knows she still has good friends in her home town . Getting washed and dressed just shy off 6 pm , she goes over next door and can already hear the music from the back of her long time friend home with the smell of home cooking . She rings the doorbell and a middle age man open the door with a bright smile on his face as he recognize a familiar face in front of him .
Mr. VanB : Ah , look at that , our neighbor , home at last . How have you been my dear ?
He opens his hand for a shake and Marie gives him a firm shake as Nazz appears from the kitchen . Seeing her friend at the door , she runs out with an apron over her chest and spoon in hand . Opens wide for a hug and Marie matches her with her arms as the two hug it out.
Nazz : omg i missed you so much , come in and eat with us . Can we ,dad ?
She looks over to her dad and he simply gives a nod with a smile as the two girls get into the dinning room as he closes the door behind them . The two girls get into the dinning room first as Nazz's dad return to the kitchen to help his wife plating everything out while they let their daughter reunite with her friend in peace .
Nazz : Ok , let me hear whatever " girly stuff " you are having problems with ?
Toning her voice down a bit .
Marie : Boy problem.
Nazz screeches as she can't believe what she is hearing from her almost asexual friend , she has a crush on a boy. She almost can't contain her excitement as she shakes estaticly .
Nazz : is he around or he is at your school ?
Marie : The latter .
Nazz : is he good looking or he is the nerdy type , sport ,or ?
Marie : can't tell you , at least not here .
Nazz pout a bit before settling down.
Nazz : fine ,in my room after dinner .
The two split back into their seats as Nazz's parents enter the room with a large tray of food .
Mrs. VanB : Here is our neighborhood prodigy . I hope you have an empty stomach their cause we just got back from a long hike and we are starving.
The mother puts the plates down as everyone settle in their seats , readying their utensils and napkin then after a pray , the dinner begins. After everyone have a few bites ,getting a good taste of the food , swallow it down for a bit then.
Mrs VanB : So with your senior around the corner any of you girls have any plan yet . Like say , college ?
Nazz : I'm going for valecvictorian since my class doesn't have much comptetion anyway , how about you , Marie ?
All three looking over to her with a smile .
Marie : I'm just trying to gradutate to get a scholarship since i don't think going valec is even possible considering the amount of prodigy attending and are about to enter senior year.
Mr VanB : I agree , you should not worry too much as when you get into college , get any sort of discount on your college expense cause if you don't manage your money during those years , it could cripple your entire life.
He takes a sip of water as Nazz get some more veggies.
Mrs VanB : While you girls are right that you should focus on your studies , don't forget to enjoy your senior year . You only get to live it once so better make it count .
She points her fork at the 2 girls before returning them to her plate.
Marie : Yes ma'am .
Everyone has a few more small talks before finishing the food. Mrs VanB made an apple pie for Marie and her family to celebrate her homecoming which Marie gladly brings home with her . There , her sisters were just home after their after school jobs to earn some money for trade school as Lee is aiming to be an engineer as she has a passion for car and truck from her mom while May is actually going for sport schoolarship and just making sure to have a backup plan .
Marie : Hi girls , look who just got us some pie .
Marie wiggles the fresh baked pie in the air and her sisters get excited.
Lee : May , go grab some plates .
All 3 sisters gather around like old times as Lee takes a knife and start cutting slices for her younger sisters but Marie is already full so she simply takes a seat on the old couch as her sisters enjoy the homemade pie. Helping Lee with the laundry while May washes the dishes , it feels just like home again . Quite diffrent from the days where they were dirt poor and couldn't organize chores to save their lives but when their mother hit another rock bottom with her losing her job and money was running low , all 3 sisters finally agree to kick the habits and try to be good children for once . May and Lee try to not flunk out of school while at home help out to give her mother time to find a new job again . As for Marie , she was clearly the one with the brain for school so she decided to be the one to go the distant . Marie and Lee brings all the dirty laundry down the basement where the washing machine is and most of the cleaning supplies are .
Lee : One more year till we are out of this place , well you and May that is .
Marie places down the basket by the machine with somewhat panted breath from how heavy the load is .
Marie : oh don't give me that .
Letting out a long breath then breathe as she gets up and leans on the wall next to her sisters who has changed a lot from their youth. The once hot headed red head with short curls all over her head is now a rugged 19 years old woman with the same red head but the curls has grown long down to her shoulders and the cheeky smile is gone , replace with a light smile with rosy red lips , capable of charming grown men to their death .
Lee : I'm serious , my place is here , mom already made the papers , you and May are welcome to stay and chip out if you want to stay but this place is my responsibilty when mom hit that age .
Marie : What about meeting someone and start a family , you know when that happen , you will have to leave .
Lee puffs a curl of her face .
Lee : Like who will , i'm making this place part of the package and beside , this is our home . We bled and cried in this place , i can't just leave it .
Marie : even if i don't agree with it , i can understand why .
The two shares a giggle of understanding , smile at each other then Marie remembers the problem of her and it shows on her face.
Lee : come on , out with it . What is bugging you ?
Lee goes to the boxes and fixes up some makeshift seats as the 2 sisters lounge on and she can clearly sees the problem is eating her younger sister a lot now .
Marie : I just feels like i can't make a choice .
Lee : There is no such thing . either you chose to do it or not to do it .
Marie : sure it is when if i don't , i hate myself for not trying , if i do , i could ruin everything and everyone involve .
Marie flops back and cover her face in shame while Lee takes pity for her sister.
Lee : So what is it cause it has to be something big for you to be all confused like the time you got your first period.
Marie : I had a crush on this guy but i can't tell him cause if i do , the school will kick him out .
Lee : oh come on, what kind of school that ban puppy love ? I just think that ..
Marie : He is a teacher .
That quick answer caught Lee completely off guard and stunned .