Have you ever heard of the saying „Needs must when devil drives“? Well, Holly has and she wasn't very fond of it, but coming home without food wasn't an option, even if it meant stealing from the convenience store like many times before.
Rain was pouring down hard from the dark sky. Clouds were thick and luminous, blocking most of the sun from shining through. Holly was shivering in her two sizes too small hoodie as she was carefully walking to her high school. She missed the bus once again after almost getting caught stealing at the store. There was no point in running because her not very law abiding mother threw out her college essay and homework when she got angry last night. Not even sure why she had written an essay when there was no way to get the needed money and leave the family mess behind. As Holly was getting closer to school, she took a left turn to the parking lot behind the school to get a chance to change into her gym clothes before anyone sees her dripping wet in the hallway. Just as she reached the back entrance, she noticed something near the overflowing sewage drain. Something furry and scared, maybe a lost kitten or a squirrel got stuck. It turned out to be a frightened little poodle. There were leaves and sticks stuck in its brown fur and it looked like its leather blue collar got stuck in the metal sewer grate. She let the puppy sniff her hands before she freed it and checked its collar. Thankfully, there was a number engraved on a small golden paw shaped charm to call if the puppy, or Oliver as it said on the charm, got lost or injured. Holly lifted the poodle gently up in her arms and found cover from the cold rain under a nearby tree. She took out her phone and typed the number into the phone app. A low, velvety voice answered. Holly quickly found her courage and explained the entire situation. She suggested to meet Oliver's owner in front of the Town Hall as there was no point in going to school now. Nor did she really want to go to Mrs. Heck's algebra class. Having set her mind on helping the puppy, she once again showed her face to the clouds and tread lightly through the rain until she reached the Town Hall. There was only one car parked in front of the Town Hall and she could just sense that it was there for her, or for Oliver to be exact. A black, shiny Bentley only suitable for an owner of a poodle with a leather collar. She wondered if the golden charm was real as a man in a navy blue suit, stepped out of the car. He didn't seem to mind the rain. „Umm, hi!“ - said Holly sticking out her hand. But the man didn't pay attention to her but instead he was focused on the brown poodle cuddled in her arms. Suddenly, a tear dropped down his cheek and he hugged the dog to his chest. ! “I missed you little Oliver Twist. I hope your adventure wasn't as bad as Oliver's in the book. Let's get you home and the chef will prepare you a nice little steak!“ - said the man and turned back toward the car still not making any eye contact with the girl who saved his dog. „It was nice meeting you..“ - chirped Holly uncomfortably hoping to get any sort of recognition. „Ah, yes, sorry. I am the English Professor, Theodore Wainwright, at Yale University.“ - finally said the man, not turning fully around but only enough to look at Holly. Only now did she notice his British accent and posh composure. „I don't have cash on me and I don't believe you take cards but I am very thankful for your help and I will pay you back.“ Before Holly was able to respond the professor and Oliver were in the car and pulling away. A little bit disappointed and very confused she headed back home.
Holly quickly forgot about the whole situation and life moved on. All until one day a letter from Yale showed up at her doorstep. She didn't even sign up for community college so it had to be a mistake. But her curiosity got the better of her and quickly she found herself packing a small backpack and getting on a bus to go have a meeting at Yale. Only after getting off the bus she actually thought about what the next step was since the letter didn't say much more than something in the style of “We are interested. Come for an interview.” Before her mind could fall deeper in the rabbit hole, she heard a voice she recognized and suddenly there was a happy, brown poodle running around her and an angry professor chasing after it. „Oliver Twist, come back here!“, yelled the professor but instead Oliver continued running and ended up in Holly's arms. „Hello again, professor!“, she said shyly, not sure if she mistook the man or it was a coincidence that the puppy was once again making itself comfortable in her nimble arms. Seeing that his dog was caught the professor fixed his posture and cleared his throat before speaking. „Miss Holly, I see my letter found its way to you and I hoped I could get a chance to speak with you. So, please walk with me if you will.“ Holly lowered Oliver onto the grass beneath her feet and before she realised it her legs were following professor Wainwright and he started talking again. „I never got a chance to thank you and it was really hard to get your information, especially since you didn't apply to any of the universities. I looked a bit into you and you have potential so I found it a little bit unforgivable to let such promise go to waste. I daresay, young lady, providence works in mysterious ways. As a thank you for saving mister Ollie, I would like to offer you a full ride scholarship to Yale and you can't really decline the offer because I don't have another way of thanking you, and my mother raised me to repay all my debts.“ Just as the professor finished speaking they walked into what looked like an office. The walls were lined with tall bookshelves holding powerful knowledge. There was a wooden desk with an old typewriter and a leather chair in the middle of the room. Everything was bathed in a dim yellow light from an overhead chandelier. Oliver Twist ran through Holly's legs and found a blue tennis ball in the corner. Before he had a chance to bring it to still thoroughly shocked Holly, the professor handed her a thick, white envelope with her name and address scribbled in black, shiny pen. Carefully, she broke the seal and started reading. With every word her shock and something warm and safe like hope grew in her stomach. Holly wasn't sure of all that happened when she finished the letter, but she remembers the professor asking her something in his extremely posh voice, and her shaking her head to agree as tears prickled in her eyes. Now you will find her proudly walking the halls of Yale University in her two sizes too small hoodie as a reminder every story has a silver lining or as her mentor and English professor might say “Fortune favors the brave, you just have to bite the bullet”. You never know how just one day could be so life changing.
THE END