“Have fun.”
Over the next two weeks, I can’t help but watch for the mail every day. I’m excited about West Virginia, but I have my dreams set on another school, that school being Michigan. Going to watch a few games of Liam’s, I was able to see the campus and fell in love. It’s a beautiful university and has become my dream to attend there. No, it has nothing to do with Liam.
“Hails, you got mail down here,” Mom yells from downstairs. I can’t help but race down the stairs as fast as my legs will carry me. Can today be the day, please, please, please be here, I chant to myself.
“Where’s it at?” I ask eagerly.
“Laying on the edge of the counter,” she says pointing to where the small stack lies. I go through piece after piece until I see it. I can’t help but stare at the envelope, this is my dream, I need them to accept me.
“Why are you staring at the envelope dear?”
“It’s Michigan,” I say never taking my eyes off the letter.
“In order to know if you got accepted you need to open it,” she says softly.
“I know, but that makes it official. What if I didn’t get in?”
“Then you go to West Virginia with Kenzie.”
“I guess so,” I say returning my gaze to the envelope.
“Do you want me to open it for you?” she asks kindly.
“No, I’ll open it, but will you stay here?”
“Sure,” she says coming over to me; she wraps her arm around my shoulders while I rip open the envelope. I stare at the letter a few seconds while the answer to my dreams registers.
“Congratulations sweetie,” Mom says while pulling me into her side.
“I got in,” I yell excitedly. For the next fifteen minutes, I can’t help the silly smile that is plastered on my face. I’m going out on my own. I can be who I want to be and not Kenzie’s shadow. Life is good.
“Do you want me to call Kenzie so you can tell her?” Mom asks as Dad walks into the kitchen.
“NO,” I yell louder than intended, “You can’t tell her.”
“Why not?”
“Because I will never hear the end of it, please just wait awhile. Please?” I beg my parents.
“Haley, you are going to need to tell her,” Dad says.
“I know, just let me enjoy this. As soon as I tell her, she’s going to flip and turn it all around on how it’s going to affect her. For once I’m doing something for me, please let me enjoy this.”
“Okay,” they agree with smiles.
“I will tell her, just not yet.”
“We won’t say anything,” Mom says.
“Thanks.”
“I actually think it’s a good thing you two aren’t going to the same college,” Dad says surprising me.
“Really?”
“Yeah, now you get to go out there and be who you want to be and won’t have to worry about her trying to be the center of attention.”
“Robert, that was rude,” Mom says scolding Dad.
“It’s true. It’s been that way since forever. How do you think she ended up with Brody?” Dad says out of nowhere.
“What?” mom and I both say confused.
“You spent all your time with Brody, he was the one person that focused his attention on you more than her and she hated it. I just can’t believe they’ve been together as long as they have. I swore it would have been you that ended up with him,” Dad says.
“Me too,” I admit.
“Then why did you agree to let them date?” Mom asks.
“She called me out, what was I supposed to say, that it bothered me? We were fourteen.”
“Yeah, you’re right. It just seems like since they started dating you guys have never been the same,” Dad says.
“We haven’t. I lost my best friend. It happens, but I’m going to move forward like I always do and be who I want to be,” I say excitedly.
“I didn’t know you felt that way sweetie,” Mom says caringly.
“Its fine, that was years ago. I’m over it and ready to move forward.”
“Good. I’m so proud of you baby girl,” Dad says as he gives me a hug.
“I’m proud of you too,” Mom says joining in on our little family hug.
“Thanks,” I say excited. I can’t believe I got into Michigan.
Two weeks later, I still haven’t told Kenzie I’m not going to West Virginia with her. I know how she’s going to react, so I keep putting it off.
“What are you doing?” Kenzie asks as I change into a slip dress.
“Getting ready to go to the bonfire.”
“You’re going to that?”
“Yeah, why wouldn’t I?”