CHAPTER 17
The Global Scholarship Challenge
The auditorium buzzed with excitement as the final round of the Global Scholarship Challenge began.
Teams from every class took the stage — their nerves and determination clear. The challenge tested their knowledge, teamwork, and quick thinking with a mix of rapid-fire questions, puzzles, and problem-solving tasks.
Jimmy, Nelly, and Omar worked seamlessly together, their differences melting away under the pressure.
As the final question was asked, Omar quickly scribbled the answer on the board.
The judges conferred briefly before nodding.
The announcer's voice echoed:
> "And the winners of this year's Global Scholarship Challenge — Nelly, Jimmy, and Omar!"
Cheers erupted. Jimmy grinned wide and pulled Nelly into a quick, proud hug.
Omar clapped Nelly on the back with a smirk.
> "We couldn't have done it without you."
As they accepted the large, gleaming trophy, Jimmy stepped up to the microphone.
> "We dedicate this award to Nelly. She's been the backbone of our team."
The crowd applauded louder.
But across the room, Luna's group sat defeated, faces flushed with shame. Their performance had been woefully poor, falling far behind.
Julie's eyes burned with jealousy as she watched Nelly and Jimmy celebrate.
> "Why did Nelly win?" she hissed under her breath.
> "Why would Jimmy hug her like that after winning?"
> "And why did Jimmy and Omar dedicate the award to her without a second thought?"
Whispers rippled through the crowd.
> "Who is Nelly, anyway? Has she charmed everyone here?"
Julie's glare darkened.
The victory was sweet—but the war was far from over.
The crowd roared as Nelly, Jimmy, and Omar stood on stage, holding the golden trophy high.
The principal handed them the official scholarship letter — signed, sealed, and stamped with the school's name.
A scholarship to study anywhere in the world. A dream come true.
Jimmy stepped up to the mic, smiling wide, his voice echoing through the auditorium.
> "This isn't just a win for us. It's a win for people who are always counted out… like Nelly. She carried this team more than she knows."
Omar stepped in next, casually but sincerely.
> "I didn't expect to work well with anyone, but Nelly proved me wrong. She's brilliant, and this win? She earned it."
Nelly stood in the center now, slightly nervous, holding the mic with both hands. Her eyes scanned the audience — classmates, teachers, even strangers with cameras and phones recording.
She opened her mouth to speak.
> "Thank you. For giving me a chance. I never thought I'd stand here — not with everything I've been through…"
She paused, a little overwhelmed, then added softly:
> "This scholarship isn't just mine. It's for every girl who was told she wasn't enough."
Just as the audience started to clap—
BANG!!
The sound echoed like thunder. A single, loud gunshot.
Screams pierced the air.
Chaos erupted.
People screamed and ducked. Teachers grabbed students. Chairs toppled. The crowd scattered, running in all directions, shouting:
> "Gun! Someone has a gun!"
Nelly dropped the mic, spinning around.
Jimmy was on the ground.
> "JIMMY!!"
He lay sprawled beside the trophy, blood soaking through his white shirt near his left shoulder. His eyes were barely open, breath shallow.
Nelly fell beside him, her hands trembling as she held pressure to the wound.
> "Stay with me, please — Jimmy, please!"
Omar froze for a second before yanking off his jacket and pressing it over the wound to stop the bleeding.
> "We need help! Someone call an ambulance!"
Teachers rushed the stage, shielding the students.
Mrs. Grace, who had been watching from the back, pushed her way through the crowd, yelling,
> "Nelly! Jimmy!"
Sirens could be heard in the distance already.
In the blur of chaos, Luna stood near the back of the auditorium — eyes cold, unmoving.
Julie was crying, gripping her chest, whispering,
> "Oh my God... this wasn't supposed to happen…"
The paramedics stormed in moments later, lifting Jimmy onto the stretcher.
As he was being wheeled away, he looked up at Nelly weakly.
> "Don't… be scared… okay?"
Tears rolled down her face.
> "I'm not going anywhere."
The ambulance doors slammed shut and sped off.
The celebration had turned into a nightmare — and nothing would ever be the same again.
---
Outside the hospital gates, sirens still echoed faintly in the background. Luna and her two friends hurried into a waiting cab, eyes darting, voices low.
> "To Central Hospital, hurry," Luna snapped to the driver.
One of her girls whispered, "You think he'll make it?"
Luna didn't answer. She stared straight ahead, jaw tight.
---
Inside the hospital, Nelly paced the waiting room floor, her hands stained with Jimmy's blood, heart pounding wildly.
Mrs. Grace held her shoulders, trying to calm her down.
> "Nelly, sit down, please. He's in surgery now — they're doing everything they can."
> "I should've protected him," Nelly whispered, shaking. "He was standing right beside me…"
Before Mrs. Grace could respond, two stern-looking police officers entered the waiting room.
> "Miss Nelly Markcus " one of them asked.
Nelly turned, confused. "Yes…?"
They stepped forward, one pulling out a folded paper.
> "You're under arrest for attempted murder and illegal possession of a firearm."
Mrs. Grace stepped forward quickly. "What?! That's a lie! She had nothing to do with this!"
> "We received a report. A signed statement from Mr. Anthony Benson."
Nelly blinked. "Mr. Benson… called the police on me?"
The second officer nodded, already reaching for his cuffs.
> "You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say—"
> "She didn't do anything!" Mrs. Grace shouted. "Jimmy was the one shot! She was with him!"
> "We have to follow the report, ma'am," one officer said. "She fits the timeline. Until we investigate further, she's coming with us."
Nelly didn't resist. Her voice cracked as she looked at Mrs. Grace.
> "Why would he do this? Why would he accuse me?"
Mrs. Grace gritted her teeth. "Because they're scared. Because you're not one of them."
As Nelly was led away in handcuffs, flashes from reporters' cameras exploded in the hallway.
Julie stood at a distance, hidden behind a wall — watching, but saying nothing.
---
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