Saved by the Bad Boy

Acceptance Letter

It had been a rough week for Lacey who had opted to go back to work despite the incident. She really needed the money after all and she was hoping to receive her letter from the elite academy she had applied for. Agnes was hardly ever home at the moment as she was helping the other church women plan a fundraiser and her father was never really home to start with. Was it any surprise that neither of them had noticed she was out working? If they did they sure as hell weren't asking her about it.

Work was busy and Lacey had gotten into a groove, becoming much better at delivering orders and bussing tables. Josh was ready to come flying out at the merest hint a customer was bothering her while Miranda gifted everyone with tiny pepper sprays to place in their pockets. She was determined to make sure her employees were safe, still feeling enormously guilty over what had happened. 

Lacey was disappointed that her saviour hadn't come back into the coffee shop. Not only did she want to express her thanks to him properly, but she also couldn't stop thinking about him. His hair, his eyes, the muscles that had bulged under his shirt as he rescued her and even the scar on his face made him look even more attractive to her. She flushed just thinking about it. Get a grip, Lacey scolded herself, he was probably just passing through. There's no way someone that is that gorgeous would be interested in a plain girl like me. She sighed, kicking a pebble as she walked. Still he seemed like a very nice man, looking around the same age as her she mused. 

Lacey basked in the glorious sunshine that rained down on her, wincing slightly from her sore feet. She was going to have to find some comfortable shoes as she spent majority of her shifts on her feet. These heeled boots were not very practical but her sneakers had a hole in them she'd discovered this morning. She resolved to go to shopping tomorrow as it was her day off. She would invest in a pair of sneakers and leave the rest of her money in the account that was steadily piling up to her satisfaction. Her hard work was really paying off.

Too soon the house came into view and as usual no car sat in the driveway. No one was home. Lacey would have to clean and cook dinner again before they got home. The sad reality was that she was trying to keep the fact she was working a secret for as long as she could. She almost walked in when she stopped and looked at the mailbox. Each day had been a disappointment as she pulled out mail that wasn't for her. It was getting close to when school was back and Lacey was beginning to panic that she hadn't made it into the academy after all. 

She opened the letterbox and pulled out the mail. Agnes, Agnes's,Dad,Dad she read.......then Lacey. It was the letter she had been waiting for. She raced inside, flinging the other mail on the entry table as she sprinted upstairs and sat on her bed. For the longest time she hesitated. Now that it was in her hand she was afraid to open it, her stomach knotting from her anxiety. Her hands shook as she tore the envelope and withdrew the folded letter.

Slowly she unfolded the paper, took a deep breath and began to read.

Dear Lacey William's

I write to you in regards to an application I received from you, applying for one of our scholarships.

Your test scores were impressive and your essay showed depth and character as you wrote what was required.

All of your references were very detailed and complimentary on the type of student you are as well as how you are as an individual. 

You are exactly the type of student Raven Academy (an elite academy) would be pleased to have.

Therefore it gives me great pleasure to inform you that your application was successful and that you will receive a full scholarship to attend Raven Academy this year. 

Attached is the information you will need as well as your uniform order and classes you are interested in attending. Please send back the information we need as soon as possible so that your enrolment can be completed.

In regards to you dormitory we have reserved one for you. All dormitories have roomates and are the same gender. All female students are in one building while male students are in another building located further away from the main school. For security all doors have locks, several staff members who take turns checking in students and a strict curfew of midnight no exceptions. Should your circumstances change or you decide not to stay in the dormitory please let us know so that we may accommodate another student if they need it.

Congratulations, Raven Academy is looking forward to your joining us at the start of the school year. If you have any questions please don't hesitate to call, we do have administration working currently in preparation as there is very little time left before school resumes.

Warm regards

Gloria Jackson 

Head of Raven Academy.

Lacey dropped her letter onto her bedspread, her mind trying to digest everything she had just read. She'd done it! She was in and going to be attending an academy for elite students! She jumped up and shrieked as she flung her arms out wide and twirled in ecstasy. This was everything she had ever wanted and now that it was coming true, she had to pinch herself to make sure she wasn't dreaming. Definitely not she thought wincing.

She would have to fill out the forms and send them in tomorrow. For now though she hastily gathered up the envelope and numerous papers stuffing then under the pillow and making sure they were hidden from view. Lacey glanced out the window, her eyes widening as she took in the time. How long had she been sitting there reviewing the letter? Agnes was going to kill her she thought panicked. She hadn't cleaned or started dinner yet. Her heart sank when the front door opened slammed shut 

"Lacey" Agnes roared as Lacey trembled.

Now she was in for it thought Lacey, grimacing and forcing herself to meet her stepmother downstairs.