Chapter Two: The Doubters Bella's excitement about the scholarship competition was palpable. She spent every spare moment researching the contest, practicing her public speaking skills, and studying hard to make sure she had the best chance of winning. But when she shared the news with her aunt and cousins, their reactions were less than encouraging. "You're not smart enough, Bella," Rachel sneered, rolling her eyes. "You'll never win." Michael chimed in, "Yeah, and even if you did, what would you do with a scholarship? You're just an orphan." Bella's aunt didn't defend her, instead saying, "Don't get your hopes up, Bella. You need to focus on your chores and helping out around the house." Their words stung, but Bella tried to brush them off. She knew she had a long shot at winning, but she was determined to try. As she walked away, Bella felt a familiar sense of doubt creeping in. Was she really good enough? Was she just wasting her time? But then she remembered the words of her favorite teacher, Mrs. Johnson: "Believe in yourself, Bella. You have so much potential." Bella took a deep breath and squared her shoulders. She was going to prove her family wrong. She was going to work harder than ever before, and she was going to win that scholarship. The next day, Bella's determination was put to the test. As she walked through the school hallways, her cousins and their friends snickered and laughed at her. One of them, a tall, mean-looking girl, stepped forward and sneered at Bella. "You think you can leave us? You think you're better than us? You think you want to win a scholarship?" The girl's voice dripped with malice. "You're a loser, Bella. You're an orphan. You're going nowhere. You'll live and die doing chores, nothing else." The group of girls burst out laughing, and Bella felt her eyes sting with tears. She quickly turned and ran to the bathroom, locking herself in a stall to cry. As she sobbed, Bella felt a wave of despair wash over her. Why did she even bother trying? Why did she think she could ever escape her miserable life? But as she cried, something inside of Bella began to stir. She remembered the words of Mrs. Johnson, and she remembered her own determination to prove her family wrong. Bella took a deep breath, wiped away her tears, and stood up straight. She was not going to let her cousins and their friends bring her down. She was going to prove them wrong, no matter what it took. With newfound determination, Bella walked out of the bathroom and back into the school hallway. She held her head high, and her eyes shone with a fierce determination. She was ready to take on the world, and she was ready to prove to everyone that she was more than just an unwanted orphan. T.B.C
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NEVER GIVE UP-Chapter 2
