"Lola Gardener, the vice chancellor will like to see you in his office now," an elderly feminine voice rang throughout the hall where the students were waiting for their professor to receive their lectures and the students, on hearing the voice turned to see the woman who had made the announcement, it was Ms. Halton, the vice chancellor's secretary, who always spent her whole time working her ass off and claiming that it was better to be busy with work than to be busy with a man. Her advice to every female students she comes in contact with was always, 'Love yourself and your job and never bother about any man.'

The students obviously could see that her and her love story were pathetic so they never cared to keep her advice to heart, they would always nod at her and walk away.

"Lola dear, don't waste our time," Ms. Halton said with a sigh as she rolled her eyes and left leaving the supposed, 'Lola Gardener' to follow behind.

"Finally," Lola muttered as she rolled her eyes and packed her books. Finally, the vice chancellor has decided to remember her and remind her of her misery. Not as if she had not been expecting it but, she had thought he would have done it in a more private way and not sending in someone to come and announce her name in front of almost two hundred students. Sighing, she tied her shoes and made to stand but someone held her back.

"Why is he calling you? Is it about the..."

"Yes, it is about it," Lola chipped in cutting her friend short as she looked around making sure nobody had heard what she said. "I told you it was bound to happen this week or next and now," she shrugged. "It is happening now, it is not as if we have not been expecting it."

"Lily," Presley called softly as she pressed her best friend's hands. She preferred calling Lola 'Lily' because Lola was a very lively and cheerful like a flower and also because Lily matched her name. "I am so sorry, I wish I could help, oh God, I don't want this to happen, not now." she said as she bit her upper lip and rubbed her neck, a habit she picked from Lola.

"Come on Pres, don't be like that, nothing bad is going to happen, well, not really but, what is the worst that could happen? And besides, you have been with me from the beginning of time, so there is nothing you should feel bad about." Lola held Presley's cheeks and shook her face. "Remember to stay cute always and don't ever forget that I love you," she sighed and stood up. "I will see you tomorrow. Hopefully," she added and made for the door.

Presley face palmed herself and she faked sobbing as she saw her best friend leave. She had met Lola on their first day in high school and ever since, they had stuck together like bread and jam, they had always been there for each other and always helping out whenever the other needed it, she knew the vice chancellor was going to call out Lola but she had never expected it to be that soon, if only she could, she would have prevented a lot of things from happening.

"I hope everything goes well," she wished and continued with the book she was reading.

As Lola left the class,she headed straight for the vice chancellor's office and running at intervals to catch up with Ms. Halton before she could get to the office. On getting to the office, Ms. Halton tapped on the door and opened it as she stepped aside for Lola to enter and poked her head in from the side to notify the vice channel of her present as he smiled and nodded at her before turning to Lola who had entered the office.

"Lola Gardener," the vice chancellor called as he removed his glasses and locked his fingers on the desk. "Have a seat."

"Good afternoon Professor Callahan," she greeted and took a seat.

"Lola, let us skip formalities and go straight to the point, I am very sure you are fully aware of the reason that brought you here," he said with a raised brow.

"Uhm.. Ca.. can we not do anything about it?"

"What do you want us to do miss Lola? We have done the much we can and I think it is enough, and I am sure you know that it is already too much of a favor."

"Yes I know and I so much appreciate it professor Callahan but, you cannot..I can't....not now," she said with a sigh and bit her lip.

"Lola, if it were within my powers, I would had left you be but, there is nothing I can do about it and you know. What about you friend? uhm, what's her name again?"

"Presley?" She asked and Callahan nodded. "Oh, she and her family have a lot on their plate right now, I don't want to impose on them."

"That is very thoughtful of you." He leaned back in his seat. "You should have taken the scholarships exam last year, I am sure you would have been among the sponsored candidates."

"Mr. Nathan told me not to, if only we had known."

"I am sorry for your loss," Lola faked a smile and nodded. "How is your mother?"

The question unanimously triggered Lola's flood gate and tears began to cloud her eyes, her mother, the only person she had learnt to cherish asides Presley and her parents. A little incident that happened some years ago had caused a lot of changes in her life especially with her relationship between her and her mother, at times, she would feel she no longer knew who her mother was, at times, she would feel like her mother no longer knew who she was. The incident has struck so bad and hard on them that she began to feel like life was taking her on a roller coaster ride and indeed, it was. Shaking her head, she wiped off the stray tears that had fallen on her cheek and blinked away the ones in her eyes as she sniffled and raised her face to the vice chancellor.

"I am sorry miss Lola."

"It's fine," she said as she nodded.

"I am very sorry to say Lola but, your admission in Rutherford college has been withdrawn, you will continue your schooling once you make the required payments." Lola nodded. "Have a lovely day," he said with a smile as he watched Lola stand up and leave.