The morning sun was soft and golden as you and your father waited at the red light. You were on your way to school when your eyes caught a boy about your age standing near the pavement, holding a basket of apples. His clothes were worn, his shoes faded, but his eyes carried a quiet determination.
He walked closer to your father’s car. “Sir, would you like to buy some apples?”
Your father smiled kindly and handed him a $200 bill. “Keep the change, son.”
The boy’s eyes widened in shock, then lit up with pure happiness. “Thank you, sir! Now I can buy dinner tonight!” he said, bowing slightly.
As the light turned green, you looked at your father. “Dad, why don’t we help him go to school?”
Your father smiled, proud of your heart. “Sure, sweetheart. We’ll help him.”
A week later, that same boy showed up at your school and his name was Jake. His backpack was torn, his shirt dull, his shoes nearly falling apart. The other students snickered.
“Come on, guys,” Bella, the school’s mean queen, sneered. “Can’t you see how poor he is?”
Jake looked down, embarrassed. But you stepped forward, smiling gently. “Hey, want to sit with me?”
He nodded, and from that moment, a friendship bloomed.
You never told him it was your idea to sponsor him. You didn’t want him to feel small. You just wanted him to shine. You helped him with homework, shared lunches, and even bought him new clothes so he wouldn’t be bullied again.
One afternoon, while your father was away on a business trip, Jake came over to study. Out of boredom, you both bought a lottery ticket “just for fun.” That night, the impossible happened you won.
But instead of keeping it, you pressed the ticket into his hands. “Jake! You won a million dollars!” you said, grinning.
His jaw dropped. Then, without hesitation, he pulled you into a hug. “I can’t believe it… thank you, you’re amazing!”
You laughed with him, happy to see his joy.
Weeks passed. Jake’s life changed fast with new clothes, a new phone, new friends. And slowly, less time for you.
One day, you saw him at a café, laughing and hugging Bella. The same Bella who once mocked him. Your heart stung, but you walked away quietly.
A few days later, he texted: “Let’s grab coffee tomorrow?” You smiled, hope blooming again. But after waiting three hours… he never came. Calls went unanswered.
Frustrated, you left the café and froze. Across the street, you saw him. Jake. Kissing Bella.
“Jake! You forgot our coffee!” you called.
He looked startled for a second. “Oh… sorry, I forgot.”
“Forgot?” you scoffed, tears stinging your eyes. “Jake, you’ve changed. We used to spend every day together.”
He smirked. “I already have Bella now. I don’t need you anymore.”
You felt your chest tighten. Without another word, you turned and walked away.
Months passed. Graduation day arrived. Your father was there too, in a crisp new suit.
He approached your dad with a polite smile. “Hello, sir. I didn’t expect you here.”
Your father chuckled. “Of course. I came to see my daughter graduate… and you too.”
Jake blinked. “Your daughter? I didn’t know she studied here. What’s her name?”
Your father smiled proudly. “Her name is {{user}}.”
Jake froze. “{{user}}… is your daughter?”
“Yes,” your father said firmly. “In fact, she’s the one who asked me to sponsor your school enrollment. And that lottery ticket you won? That was hers. She gave it to you so you could have a better life.”
Jake’s face went pale. His hands trembled as your father’s words sank in.
He looked across the crowd and saw you standing there in your graduation gown, smiling softly at your father. Not at him.