Chapter 10 - 10: A Good Opportunity

Then she turned to Molly McDowell, "I will check if there are any extra books. If not, the school will order it. We'll get it soon. It won't affect your studies, don't worry."

Sophia took the book, returned to her seat, and put it on the pile of her books.

Carol worshipped her, "Boss, that was so cool."

Melissa smiled, "This is the first time I've ever been impressed by a good student. You are so great, boss."

Sophia smiled, "In that case, let's study hard together from now on."

Carol wanted to take back her words, "I'm just kidding, boss."

"Boss is just joking. Don't be serious. I'm also impressed by the way you rob money." Melissa said.

Mariah was glad that she didn't have to say anything. She turned her face away and pretended nothing had happened.

Sophia was helpless. It seemed that it would take some time to get the girls to behave and work hard.

Molly McDowell walked sulkily to her seat, muttering, "Even if you're good at math, you can't get into college!"

Sophia Green heard that but ignored her.

There was no class that day. After the books were handed out, students were allowed to leave. It was Friday. They would not have class until Monday.

As everyone left school, Sophia Green waited at the door for the three girls. She worried that they would change their minds and wouldn't go to the hairdressers with her. When all three girls had arrived, she happily set off with them to the shed to pick up their bikes. Then four girls rode their bikes to the nearest hairdressers.

Under her supervision, the three girls sat in the chairs as the hairdressers straightened their colorful curls and dyed them back to black.

A little while later, they were all back to a fresh schoolgirl style. And now it was just their outfits that didn't match with their crisp hairstyles.

"I'm going shopping for clothes tomorrow. Will you come?" Sophia said.

"Boss. A lot of new styles have come out recently. Of course, I'll come! It's been a long time since I went shopping with my boss." Melissa was instantly cheered up.

Carol and Mariah also agreed.

"Okay. So see you at the school gate tomorrow."

She wouldn't tell them in advance what kind of clothes she was going to make them get! If she'd told them, none of them would have turned up! She had better save that until she saw them tomorrow.

Sophia said goodbye to her friends and rode home.

Kate wasn't home. Sophia guessed that she was looking for a job.

In order to take care of her daughter, Kate had quit her job soon after the accident. It was not easy to find a job in Lands City. She probably wouldn't be able to find one immediately.

Sophia Green was considering making some money after everything had settled. Kate was her present mother, and she respected her and didn't want her to suffer.

She was just a student and couldn't go out and get a proper job. There were not many ways to make money as a teenager. But it didn't mean she couldn't do anything. The Internet was so vast, and maybe she could find ways to make money online.

There was a computer in her bedroom. It was old and outdated, but it still worked. She turned on her computer and tried to connect to the net. Their home network was a broadband connection to the phone line. They would have the Internet as long as their phone didn't get cut off.

She searched the web and was attracted by a message.

Registration for an Online Chess Contest opens today for one week.

Welcome to the competition.

The champion of the contest wins to get a prize of $3000!

Runner-up $1500.

Second runner-up $750!

In addition, there are ten Excellence Awards, and the prize is $150!

For more information, please check out the official blog @ Online Chess Contest Official!"

Sophia checked the blog, and it looked legitimate. She thought it was a good opportunity. She had learned chess a little while ago and even played with Albert Pearson from time to time. She was pretty good. It would be amazing if she could get into the top three. Even $150 for an excellent prize was not a small amount of money for her.

The prize money was not too big, and so the real chess masters probably wouldn't enter. She thought she had a good chance at winning.

Just playing chess on the Internet - it wouldn't take a lot of time, and it was cost-free. She carefully read the detailed information and planned to sign up.

It was Saturday morning, and Sophia Green got up late. She walked out of her room and found that Kate had already left.

She knew Kate must have gone looking for a job. She wanted to persuade Kate not to work so hard, but she was just a high school student. She didn't want to seem too mature and, besides, she hadn't made any money yet.

Kate had left her breakfast in the kitchen, keeping it warm in the pan. Sophia heated the food a little more and ate. After breakfast, she did the dishes and went out.

She went to the school gate to wait for her three friends to go shopping as they had agreed yesterday.

The three girls arrived soon after her, and they were all together.

Sophia waved her hand, "Let's go."

The four girls all rode their bikes, Sophia leading the way and the other three following behind. Carol had wanted to ride next to Sophia, but Sophia had stopped her.

"We can't ride side by side. It will obstruct cars behind us. It's dangerous."

"Yes, boss."

After a while, Mariah Carey noticed something was wrong, "Boss. Shouldn't we be going to the boutiques? It's not this way."

Carol also noticed that "Boss. You've got the wrong way."

"No, I don't." Sophia said, "Just follow me!"