Quickly sorted through all the mail and found the one that I’ve been waiting for. I snapped it up and hid it in my pocket, and ran upstairs. As soon as I reached my room I slammed the door shut. I grabbed the envelope and ripped through it, nearly tearing the paper right in half. I read through it quickly but clearly. I wanted to make sure I read every word clearly. I leaned back and fell to the ground, my knees up to my chest I buried myself in them. I could feel the tears welt up in my eyes, I tried my damnedest to hold it in but they came anyways. I wiped them away as soon as they appeared. My eyes glistened as I read it over and over. “Chloe you have been accepted.” Just as the reality had really hit me, my mother yelled through the door. Startling me and making me jump. I tried to be quiet, I didn’t want to talk. This was a moment I wanted to myself. I clutched the paper in my hands as my mother continued to knock on the door and repeat my name constantly. “Chloe are you okay?!” She yelled through the door, I opened the door slightly and peaked my head out. Looking up I saw my mother standing above me with her hands on her hips. “I got in.” I smiled sheepishly, her eyes widened and she started crying. I got up and she hugged me. “Oh my god Chloe! Oh god, your father and I are so proud!” She grabbed the paper out of my hand and started at it. Her smile faded just as soon as it came. “What is this?” Her tone had changed. “What?” she shoved the paper back at me. “You said you weren’t going to apply there.” I shrugged, which seemed to anger her. She smacked me hard across the face. “You lied.” My face burned and stung with I’m sure a very clear red mark. “I didn’t.” I whimpered. “Your father will be home soon, we’ll discuss it then.” She smoothed her dress and left the room. I sat there on the floor tears streaming down my face, it seemed to soothed my hot face but the pain lingered. © Winona