To secure a university scholarship, a disadvantaged high school student must outwit two teachers who use her as a pawn in a wager to see if they can make two students fall in love.

“a disadvantaged female high school student” works very well, in it potentially sets up an audience response of pity . Empathy for the protagonist is how emotion is created within the viewer. So, I’m feeling sorry for that naive young, rag torn girl already. (Ah, note on Identity Politics: I’m caucasian, male, so current mental image thinks ‘buffy the vampire slayer meets hard times’)

Ok, story goal is: “To secure a university scholarship”. Makes sense. Definitely an expression of lack, how else is she going to fund Uni! Implies protagonist holds core values around education – often socioeconomic difference exists around “knowledge as power”. This is the power she lacks, but seeks … at all cost? What’s @STAKE !!!!

Of course, if she fails to win this scholarship, yes, poverty may be prolonged, but not death, nor loss of loved one, nor financial ruin, nor freedom, or even old justice!

So, moving on. Our double headed monster equals two teachers. These figures represent social force, authority, control. Outwitting a teacher suggests intelligence, great intelligence in fact. So, the protagonist’s main skill is implied: “an intelligent, disadvantaged female high school student”

Betting or wagering on students indicates corruption of the education system. Therefore, the greater social threat is the loss of institutional stability that education holds (wondering if something greater @STAKE might be found here?)

Finally, ” to see if they can make two students fall in love” …. Drama or Romance? Feels a little genre blurry, that’s fine, but may confuse reader. If must keep, then who is this romantic affair with …? Otherwise, brainstorm alternative story challenge. Plot structure currently reminds me of the film Trading Places (1983) – two rich guys determine the fate of another man … kind’a thing.