Chapter 27 — Pride And Scholarship

Two and a half years passed quickly, bringing with it many positive changes in the lives of Hoai An and those around her. The "Reach Len" scholarship fund has successfully supported more than fifteen students in difficult circumstances, many of whom have become outstanding faces of Royal School, following the path that Hoai An once paved.

The friendship between Hoai An and Bao Tran, after many initial challenges, has become one of the strongest relationships they have ever had in their lives. Together they maintain a reading club, pass stressful exams together, and share dreams and ambitions for the future.

The relationship between Hoai An and Minh Khoi also became deeper and deeper, going through all the emotions of student life - simple dates, times studying together for exams late into the night, and even rare romantic moments amid a busy study schedule.

Now, as the twelfth grade year is about to end, the whole Royal School is in a tense atmosphere preparing for the high school graduation exam - the most important exam, deciding the door to dream universities.

“How are you studying for your lessons?” Bao Tran asked, when the two sat together in a study group at the school library late one afternoon, the tense atmosphere of exam season clearly visible on both of their faces.

“I'm reviewing Biology,” Hoai An replied, eyes still glued to the book in front of her, “Medicine requires very high scores, I can't let myself neglect any subject.”

"You will pass," Bao Tran reassured, smiling confidently, "I have never seen anyone as hard-working and persistent as you. As for me, I am worried about Literature. Even though it is the major I pursue, the pressure to get high scores to get into the Literature department of my dream university is not small."

During the following weeks, both of them put all their effort into studying and supporting each other through the most stressful periods. Minh Khoi, although busy with his own exam preparation, still takes time to encourage and support Hoai An whenever she feels too much pressure.

Graduation exam day finally arrived, the atmosphere at the exam site was extremely tense with the presence of thousands of candidates from all over the city. Hoai An entered the exam room with a feeling of both nervousness and determination, carrying with him not only the knowledge accumulated during three years of study, but also the energy and faith that had been forged through many challenges in this meaningful journey of growth.

The three exam days passed in extreme tension. Every evening after the exam, the whole group of friends — Hoai An, Bao Tran, Minh Khoi, Lan Phuong, Thao Nhi — gathered briefly to review the knowledge for the next exam, and at the same time cheer each other up under the heavy pressure of the most important exam in a student's life.

“How did you do in Chemistry today?” Minh Khoi asked, when the group met after the afternoon exam.

“I think it's pretty good,” Hoai An replied, although her voice was still a little worried, “but there were a few difficult questions, I'm not sure I got them completely right.”

"Just be confident," Bao Tran encouraged, putting his arm around her friend's shoulder, "if you prepare so carefully, you will definitely get good results."

After three stressful days of testing, all candidates breathed a sigh of relief when they finished into the final exam. The whole group decided to organize a small party to relieve stress after a series of hard days studying for the exam, although the official results still have to wait a few more weeks to be announced.

"No matter the result," Lan Phuong said, raising her glass of water during the celebration, "we should be proud of having tried our best during the past three years of school. That's the most important thing."

The whole group raised their glasses in unison, gently touching each other amid bustling laughter, temporarily putting aside worries about the results to enjoy this rare moment of relaxation, before entering the period of nervously waiting for exam results and upcoming university admission results.

Three weeks later, the official graduation exam results were announced. Hoai An, with trembling hands, opened the score lookup page on his phone, almost not daring to breathe as the results were loading on the screen. When the numbers appeared, she couldn't help but scream with joy — her score was much higher than what was needed to enroll in the General Medicine major of the most prestigious university she had always dreamed of.

“I passed, mom!” she shouted, rushing into the room where Ms. Hanh was sewing, just like the moment three years ago when she received the news of receiving a scholarship to Royal School.

Ms. Hanh, hearing the news, could not hide her tears of happiness and hugged her daughter. “I know you can do it,” she said, her voice shaking with emotion, “you have come a long way, from the day you received the scholarship to today, and I am always proud of you.”

At the same time, Hoai An's phone continuously vibrated with congratulatory messages from Minh Khoi, Bao Tran, Lan Phuong, and Thao Nhi, all announcing their own excellent exam results. Bao Tran, especially excited, texted to inform her that she had also scored enough to get into the Literature department of her dream university, exactly as she wished that she had persistently pursued for nearly three years.

The whole group arranged to meet in the afternoon to celebrate the worthy results after three years of arduous but also extremely meaningful study and training at this prestigious Royal School.

At the familiar coffee shop, which had witnessed so many important moments in their friendship, the whole group sat together, sharing common joy. Minh Khoi, who also achieved excellent results enough to study Business Administration at a prestigious university, could not hide his pride when looking at Hoai An.

“We all got into the fields we dreamed of,” he said, raising his glass of water, “I think, this is the clearest proof that, if you are persistent enough, determined enough, no dream is too far away.”

"I agree," Bao Tran nodded, her eyes shining with happiness, "three years ago, I never thought I would dare to pursue Literature, let alone get into my dream school. Thank you everyone, especially Hoai An, for giving me the courage to live true to my dream."

Lan Phuong and Thao Nhi also shared their joy at their own good results, both of them passed into majors that suited their interests and abilities. The atmosphere of the party was filled with laughter, stories reviewing memories of the three years of school, mixed with plans and plans for the upcoming university future.

“Even though each person will attend different schools,” Hoai An said, looking around the loving faces that have accompanied her throughout this meaningful journey, "I hope we will always keep in touch, forever be close friends, even if life takes each of us to different turns."

“Sure,” the whole group replied in unison, raising their glasses and lightly touching each other, closing an important chapter in the student's life, preparing to enter a new and promising journey at university.

That night, when Hoai An informed Ms. Kim Ngan of her university admission, who had often asked about her study status over the past two years, she could not hide her joy. "I'm very proud of you," she said over the phone, her voice full of affection, "the scholarship fund for medical students that I promised is still waiting for you. I will officially award this scholarship as soon as you enroll."

“Thank you very much,” Hoai An replied, her voice choked with emotion, “thanks to your support, my educational path will reduce a lot of financial burdens.”

“That's what I should do,” Mrs. Kim Ngan replied, “and I believe you will become a good doctor, bringing many good things to society, just like the way you have brought the Royal School for the past three years.”

Hanging up the phone, Hoai An sat silently for a moment, clearly feeling the completeness of the journey she had gone through - from a poor girl who was worried and confused on her first day of school, now becoming a confident, steadfast person, ready to enter a new and promising chapter of life, with the companionship of her family, friends, lover, and even the precious opportunities that she had worked tirelessly to deserve, a journey that she believed had only truly begun. for the more beautiful chapters that lie ahead, chapters that she will continue to write with the same resilience and gratitude that have followed her throughout these meaningful high school years.