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What had I done now? Had someone framed me for the graffiti on the lockers? Or the goldfish in the toilet bowl? Sure I thought that the pranks were funny, but I had not done them. Well last year I was a really bad student. I used to fall asleep in class a lot! But this year I had improved a lot in both my studies and my wakefulness. Then why was I here? Hopefully, Mrs Peters still did not hold a grudge against me. My heart pounded against my ribcage as I bit my nails nervously. “Conner Bailey! Come in!” a commanding voice called out. Hearing that voice made the blood in my veins freeze. A girl burst out of the room, sobbing hysterically. I gulped, hoping wistfully that I would not suffer the same fate as her. I shuffled towards the door, my shoulders squared and pushed it open.

On a large black chair, sat my former English teacher, Mrs Peters. She was not a teacher anymore though. She was the principal now. Her beady black eyes stared into my brown eyes. Mrs Peters had been promoted to principal at the end of last year. She had called me to her office quite a few times, mainly to reprimand me. Last year, I was really bad at English and she always gave me extra homework.

It had been apparent that she had not liked me. But the question that clawed at my head was “What am I doing here”

Mrs Peters beckoned me to sit down on the large wooden chair opposite to her. Taking a deep breath, I sat and asked “Am I in trouble?” “For the umpteenth time, Why do you ask me that sometime I call you here?” she asked, squinting at me. I shrugged. “I have called you in here to discuss something related to your Creative Writing. I have been reading some of your pieces.” she said. I twiddled my thumbs and said, “How am I screwing that up?” “You're not. It's fantastic. I have called you in here for a special opportunity. A rare one.” My eyes widened. Did she just say that my writing was fantastic? I must be delusional. No way Mrs Peters would say that. She slid a pamphlet across her table for me to read. I shifted uncomfortably. My eyes widened as I read it. “A school trip to Germany?” I exclaimed loudly, unable to contain my disbelief. “I have selected a few particular students to go on a trip. I believe it will enhance your writing skills. We will also be able to see the graves of the brothers Grimm.” I was overjoyed. I pumped my fist into the air and exclaimed “I'll convince my Mum to let me go

“Thank you so much,” Mrs Peters beckoned me towards the door. A big smile plastered on my face I dashed home.

The moment Mum came home, I pestered her with questions and handed her the pamphlet. “You can go,” she said. I screamed in jubilation. But then she quickly added, “You have to pay for half of it.” My face fell. I tried to argue but from the way she looked at me I knew her mind was made up. I could do this. It would just take a little bit of hard work.

The next two months were crazy busy for me. I was trying every possible way to earn some money. Mum had agreed to pay me if I did all the household chores except cooking as Mum thought that I would burn down the house. I made cookies and sold them to my friends and teachers. I even started for doing my friends' homework for some money. Mum did not know, obviously, or she would have killed me. I even made some pottery sculptures to sell to my neighbours and offered to do the neighbours' dishes. At the end of each day, my bank was so sore and like a stretched rubber band. But, I did not give up. Every day I did the chores and sold the things. Mum was really glad that I was helping her. By the end of two long tiring months, I had finally come up with half the money.

The next thing I knew I was on a plane to Germany next to Bree, a girl Mrs Peters had picked too. It was my first time on a flight and I had butterflies in my stomach. But the thought that I was going to Germany energized me like a drug.

When the plane landed, I was besides myself with excitement. I was actually going to be in Germany! The next three days were just pure fun. We went to museums, swimming pools, historic sites, and best of all I saw the graves of the brothers Grimm. As I loved fairy tales and fantasy, I was thrilled to see the graves of these historic people. How often does anybody get to see the graves of the coolest people ever. I also got to hear their little stories which no one had heard before! At that moment I knew that when I grew up I wanted to be a writer.

That rare opportunity was etched deeply in my heart. I had learnt the importance of hard work. If I had just given up, then I would never have been able to go to Germany. And now that trip had made a huge difference in my life. I was forever thankful to Mrs Peters for looking past my previous faults and for giving the chance for this rare trip of a lifetime.