Ermelinda's POV
That moment — the kiss on my neck — still fluttered like a secret in the back of my mind. But I shoved it deep down where it couldn't distract me. Not today. Not when there was so much on the line.
The scholarship papers lay untouched on my desk, staring at me like a challenge. My heart hammered with every thought of what this could mean — the chance to change everything, to finally break free from the weight of all those long shifts, the endless noise, the constant pressure.
But fear wasn't going to stop me. Not anymore.
I grabbed my notebook, worn at the edges from all the late-night scribbles and frantic reminders. I flipped it open and started writing — not just a to-do list, but a roadmap for my future. Each goal a promise to myself.
Show up, even when every bone in my body wants to quit.Keep pushing, no matter how hard it gets.Remember that every small step is progress.Lean on the people who believe in me.Own my story, no matter how messy.
Because motivation wasn't some magical spark you waited for — it was something you built, day by day, with grit and determination and sweat. It was in choosing to get up when you fall, to face the noise and chaos and exhaustion with your head held high.
I thought about all the nights I'd worked double shifts, the early mornings I dragged myself out of bed, the times I felt invisible but kept grinding anyway. Every moment had led me here — to this chance.
This wasn't just about me anymore. It was about proving that hard work pays off. That dreams are for people who refuse to give up. That no matter where you start, you can rise.
I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, feeling a steady fire light inside my chest.
I am not defined by my past. I am not limited by my fears. I am stronger than any doubt, any obstacle, any voice telling me I'm not enough.
I am Ermelinda Rivera. And I will rise. I will fight. I will win.
Because this future — the one I'm working so hard for — is waiting. And I'm not about to let it slip through my fingers.