Crowning Achievement

I smiled and hugged him, showing my happiness.

"I wish you always stay happy like this," Adrien thought, his voice filled with sincerity.

"By the way, I bought you something," Adrien said with a mischievous glint in his eyes.

"What is it?" I asked, curiosity piqued.

"Close your eyes," he instructed.

I closed my eyes, feeling the excitement build up. He went to the balcony and brought a box of cake.

"Now open your eyes," he said softly.

"Wow! My favorite chocolate cake. Thank you so much," I exclaimed, but suddenly, I fell into deep thoughts.

"What happened? You didn't like it?" Adrien asked, concerned.

"As far as I remember, you were here to save me. Then, this cake?" I questioned, puzzled.

"Actually, I was on my way here to congratulate you and give you the news about your admission when I received that picture," he explained.

"But still, you kept this cake in the balcony? You should have left it in the car and run to save me," I said, a bit incredulous.

"Well, by seeing the background in the photo, I confirmed that you were in your room only. I knew that I could save you. So, I thought to keep it there because I didn't want to risk my life by climbing twice to your balcony," he replied with a playful smirk.

"Whatever, let's cut the cake now," I said, rolling my eyes.

"Hey, at least appreciate my efforts," he insisted.

"Why?" I teased while enjoying my cake.

"Hey, at least wait for me," he protested.

"Why should I?" I retorted playfully.

That's how we enjoyed the night with small fights, listening to music, dancing, and watching movies. Later, I asked Adrien to leave as it was getting late and to give the leftover cake to beggars. Then, I went to sleep.

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NEXT DAY, IN THE MORNING

I woke up and saw the time—it was already 8 am.

"Strange, Mom didn't come to wake me up," I muttered to myself.

I got dressed up and went downstairs. I searched the whole house but didn't find anyone.

I spotted a note on the dining table.

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NOTE

We are going to the parents-teacher meeting. If you want to come, you can come after having breakfast. It's in the fridge.

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"Yesterday, she was telling me to sleep early, thinking I have an exam. And now she suddenly remembered about the meeting. Well, let's just have breakfast, then I'll go," I thought.

After having breakfast, I called Adrien to pick me up as I wasn't in the mood to walk all the way to school.

After reaching school, I headed directly toward my class. As I entered the class, all the students stood up and bowed to me. Well, not because they are afraid of me, but because I am the student council president. Seeing them bowing to me, my parents were hella shocked. Of course, how would they even know about me being the student council president? They will only come to know if they get some time from their busy schedule of mentally abusing me.

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On the way back home

"Why were they bowing to you?" My mother asked, still in shock.

"I am the student council president," I replied nonchalantly.

Wait, did I forget to tell you my result? So, as always, I topped the school. You know, it's not so hard when you don't have good students in your class. Am I appreciating myself too much? Well, what can I do when my own parents don't appreciate me? Well, let's get back to the story.

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At night, in the dining room

We were peacefully having our dinner until I decided to speak.

"Dad, I—"

"First, finish your dinner," he cut me off.

After finishing my dinner, I went back to my room. My parents were in the living room with my brother. A little about my brother—he is in the second year of college, doing B.Tech. No need to know much about him because he isn't going to play any crucial part in my story.

So, my parents called me into the living room.

"Aurora, come downstairs," my dad called me.

"Yes, Dad?" I asked, entering the living room.

"Come sit down, I want to talk about something," he said.

"So, what did you want to talk about?" I asked, sitting on a nearby chair.

"Look, as you know, we are suffering from financial problems, so we cannot afford studies for both you and your brother. I hope you understand," he said seriously.

"But, Dad—"

"Do you want people to call us parents of an uneducated boy?" My mother cut me off.

"But, Dad, not even if I get a scholarship?" I asked, desperate.

"That's possible, but the scholarship should be of at least 90 percent," he replied.

"Actually, about what I wanted to tell you in the dining room," I started.

"Yes, I am listening with all my ears, mind, and heart focused," he said, sounding a bit more interested.

Looks like they are buttering me up a little so that I agree with them. But they don't know that what I'm going to say will blow their minds. Well, I already surprised them today with the student council news, so why not one more surprise? After all, they underestimate me a lot.

"Actually, I applied for a university, and I got admission," I revealed.

"As I said, no studies until you get a 90 percent scholarship," my dad said firmly.

"Oh, I am sorry about that, but I didn't get a 90 percent scholarship," I said, pretending to be disappointed.

"Then forget—"

I cut him off, "But I got a 100 percent scholarship."

As I observed their faces, I could see their eyeballs were about to pop out.

What a game-changer I am. I don't know if that's the correct word, but I feel like that.

When they got back to their senses, my father asked, "So, tell us more about the university, like where it is located, and more."

"It is Asia's best university for engineering. Its campus covers an area of about 360 acres. There are apartments nearby the university and also hostel rooms available within the campus. A big library and many more things."

"Well, there is no need to tell about apartments and hostels because you're going to come directly home, so what's the need for that information? Also, where is it located? You didn't mention the name of the university," he said, still a bit irritated.

"Actually, I mentioned apartments and hostels because it was important. It is far away from home."

"Just tell the location already," my dad asked, a little irritated.

"It's Seoul National University, South Korea," I finally revealed.

"WHAT?" my mother, father, and brother shouted together, their faces a mix of shock and disbelief.

TO BE CONTINUED.....