"Welcome students, we are so very lucky to have you all here," a voice begun on the microphone that echoed through the modern building. A lady, I would say in her 60s was up at the podium with a smile on her chubby face.

Today was the first day of the NGSA scholarship program. It was held at the National Art Gallery Museum in D.C and I had taken the hour long metro to arrive there on time.

The museum was absolutely gorgeous. Classical paintings adorned the walls and beautiful portraits of franchised art were scattered around the museum. Around 12 students were mindlessly checking out the artwork and since the instructions on the site after being admitted told us all to dress 'business-casual', everyone was dressed to a classical attire which matched the theme of the museum.

Suddenly, the door swung open to reveal a girl bustling in with sports gear on and carrying a bunch of bags. She began apologizing profusely until she finally looked up and I realized who I was staring at.

Brooke.

This was the first time I had ever seen her truly 'frazzled'. It was an odd sight to see.

She walked over and took a seat near the water dispenser but not before grabbing a glass and downing some.

"Um, excuse me miss? Would you like to stand up and introduce yourself?" The instructor, Mrs. Becraft, asked.

Brooke, still looking slightly out of breath, smiled politely, set her glass down and stood up. "Please excuse my tardiness, my field hockey practice ran late."

Ms. Becraft nodded.

Was I hallucinating or did I just hear Brooke FUCKING Mckailey apologize to someone?

"Hi, my name is Brooke," she announced. Everyone murmured a greeting back. "I'm so grateful to be here and I plan on majoring in political science."

"Thank you so much, Brooke. It's been a pleasure to meet you," Ms. Becraft smiled. "So! Students! As you all know, this program is not one for the weak minded. You will be tested, challenged, and evaluated based on your perseverance to come out on top of the rest of your peers. I will will say this once and only once; do not mistake kindness for weakness in any way shape or form. Your peers, instructors -- everyone you work with in this room right now can either help you or hurt you, but in the end, you must all remember that you are competing. This is a competitive program and if you do not bring your best, you will be kicked out. Understand?"

Everyone was stunned silent, but a couple of us murmured back a collective 'yes'.

"What is this the hunger games?" a quiet voice whispered beside me.

I looked over, a little annoyed someone was talking to me while the instructor was talking. I didn't want to break any rules and risk getting kicked out.

"Sorry. I should probably shut up, right?" the guy next to me joked.

Ms. Becraft was still droning on as I fought not to roll my eyes. "No, but I think you should probably pay attention."

"Who says I'm not?" he grinned.

"Excuse me. You two in the back?" Ms. Becraft suddenly called. The entire room fell silently and everyone turned to look at us.

Shit.

"Is your conversation more important than the understanding of this program you will need in order to succeed?"

"N-no of course not we were paying attention-" I started, scared shitless.

"Oh, then by all means please tell me what I was talking about prior." Her beady eyes stared at me.

I was silent, at a loss for words. Fuck. Was this seriously gonna be how I went out?

"One, everyone is given a fair shot." A voice boomed from beside me.

As I looked over, I saw it was the annoying guy and he stood up. He began striding around the room and oddly, for some reason, everyone was drawn to his presence.

"No one should look behind, no one is left behind, and everyone has an equal opportunity to succeed. The twelve of us are all assigned D.C institutions to intern at part time, and to put it quite shortly, the student who makes the most of the internship by working the hardest is the one left standing. The one who gets the official NGSA full ride scholarship to any 4-year of their choosing."

Mrs. Becraft nodded slowly, impressed. "Thank you Mr. --?" she paused, asking for his name.

"Miller. Anthony Miller," he told her, then he turned to me. "It's an absolute pleasure to meet you."

It was now that I registered he was the guy at the volleyball game with the camera. Small world.

Mrs. Becraft eyed the two of us, an unsure smile gracing her lips. "I'm happy to see that you two have become acquainted. Now, that brings me onto the next instructions; everyone, please get into groups of 3 groups of four and we will circle back in half an hour. You will then be assigned your internship institution."

Everyone separated to mingle and find their own groups.

"And students, please remember that as members of this association, you are not only representing yourselves outside of this building but also the NGSA! Social media will be heavily monitored and everyone should be on their best behavior or else; immediate expulsion from the program. There are no second chances here."

I stood up slowly, observing the room, not entirely sure where to go or start at first.

I guess this was what Colton was talking about. I was alone, and didn't know how to make friends. I always relied on him to save me, and he was tired of that. He was tired of me.

"Wow and they say good deeds come with reward," a voice snapped me out of my thoughts. Anthony.

I slowly turned, a thin smile on my lips. "Thanks for saving me back there."

"No problem. But, as a psychology major I will say that you don't sound too thankful."

"Well, as a psychology major how good are your morals, really? Doing good deeds only for reward?"

"I haven't asked you for anything. Yet." He grinned.

"Ha. You're funny." He thought I owed him. Hilarious.

He gasped, "Really?"

I couldn't tell if this guy was just cocky or entirely too sarcastic.

"Ok fine, that was a joke. A bad one, but a joke, nonetheless."

I rolled my eyes, turning away, about to go see where else I could possibly find a group.

"Wait wait!" he shouted, stopping me in my tracks. "There's a party tonight-"

I almost cursed. "Dude, are you serious right now? This is our future and you're talking about parties?"

"Relax--?" He paused to take my name.

"Asha."

"Asha. Don't you ever loosen up? Have fun? C'monnn you must not be from around here."

"I'm not. I go to Melbourne," I told him.

"Ooo, nice. I go to Woolbridge. Go tigers, I guess," he chuckled to himself.

Now I got it. He was the cocky type. 'Gifted and talented' school student. Woolbridge was DC magnet school 30 minutes out from Melbourne. It was the school Colton was supposed to go to, but never got into. I think that rejection might've been what started the spiral of his strict, prestige care for academic. That, plus his parents.

"But really. There's this party tomorrow night at The Ozio, M street. Me and my band are playing a gig there, if you're down."

"Ah, i get it now. You're recruiting groupies?"

"Nope. Just new fans, hopefully," he shrugged. He stuck out a card with the letters SIN scribbled on it. His band.

"Cool. I'll go if you join my group?" I bartered.

"I was going to ask you to be in mine anyway," he smiled.

I couldn't help but smile too. "Well we still need two more-"

"Asha?" A voice interrupted. I turned to see Brooke, with a smile on her face. Her frazzle was gone, and the charm was back on. And just like that, I felt like I had been transported back to Melbourne High.

"Brooke. Hey." I smiled. Sort of. It felt forced. A part of me was confused as to what she was doing here anyway. Wasn't she super rich? Why would she need a full ride scholarship?

"Sorry to bombard, but I saw you guys over here and thought it'd be a good idea to find some familiar faces," she explained.

I felt guilty speaking to her, as I knew what I felt for Colton was something that ran deep and I didn't know if she'd be able to pick up on it or not.

"And you are, madam?" Anthony bowed.

"Brooke! You?"

"Anthony. Nice to meet you, unfamiliar face," he stook out his hand. She looked at it with a smile creeping on her face.

"Before I shake it, can I ask y'all something?"

"Shoot for it."

"May I have the honor of joining your team?"

"Shake and you'll find out." he smirked. God, what a whore.

She grabbed it and shook it firmly and Anthony grinned.

"Of course, you may join. If that's alright with you Asha?"

Both of them looked over to me, waiting for a response.

"Psst. By the way, I always wanted to be on y'alls team anyway. We got this thing in the bag, no worries," she whispered to me.

Brooke's eyes were kind and simply wanting acceptance and I had to admit, this was an entirely different side of Brooke I had never seen. Was this the magical girl Colton had fallen in love with?

"Go team!" she shouted sweetly with a laugh and I hated it.

I hated the fact that she was actually nice because it made me feel worse.

It made me feel worse for being in love with her boyfriend.

But I nodded anyway. And that was it.

Brooke was in.