Reality or Dream

C’s get degrees” Sarah messaged Josh. Sarah is an undergraduate college student studying at Hampton University. After long, hard, exhausting debates with her parents over choosing a college, let alone a major that’s “suitable” for their family lineage. All of the reminders of the sacrifices and strings they’ve had to pull just to get her through her high school years. Sarah has never been an honor roll student, hell the only honor she rolled was a joint in the school bathroom. From being suspended for theft of school property which she called “borrowing” to fighting. But she made good enough grades for a little persuasive donation to overlook any underachievements she may have had.

Her mom, dad, two older sisters, and brother just so happened to be alumni of Hampton University. Although her parents are stoked that she and her siblings chose to attend their alma mater, they didn’t force or pressure any of them. They wanted them to create their path and live the life they sought fit, within reason of course. So, Sarah decided on obtaining a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology at Hampton University’s School of Liberal Arts and Education. Knowing her Sarah does not like a shared space, her mother made a deal with her “If you maintain at least an average GPA, I will speak to your father about letting you live off campus.”

“Average” replied Sarah “That’s easy” she stated, “I mean doable”. I’m sure it is her mother replied “if you just applied yourself you could always strive for better”. Sarah made it through her first year of college with a 3.4 GPA. It wasn’t an “A” grade point average but it was more than what her parents asked for. Needless to say her second year she had her own apartment off campus.

Sarah's parents spared no expense for their baby girl. Not only did they get her an apartment but it was a 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom apartment and within a reasonable distance from campus. They also managed to fully furnish it to her style. Her parents also surprised her with a brand new 2025 MAZDA3 SEDAN 2.5 TURBO PREMIUM PLUS. Although it’s not her dream car she was grateful she didn’t need to take public transportation or ask for rides to places. “Sarah” her mother firmly “We will handle your rent while you’re here as long as you keep your GPA up. I know you didn’t ask for this car, we were so proud of you for doing better than expected we wanted to give you an extra reward. “Thank you thank you thank you, Sarah said interrupting her mom with a kiss to both of her parents. “Hold on now let your mother finish,” Dad said. “You’re welcome,” her mother said with a smile. “But we’re only covering the first six months of insurance and gas expenses. You’re going to need a job to pay for your gas and this car will not move without insurance. Do you hear me?” “Yes,” Sarah said, “I hear you”. “I don’t want to hear about your grades dropping, We’ve already calculated the cost of the car insurance and gas. Plus we’re giving you a six-month head start to save. You should only be working on weekends and studying during the week” her mother said sternly. “I get it, Mom,” Sarah said “Get a job but don’t work too much, I got it,” she said rolling her eyes. After her parents left Sarah texted Lisa, her old dorm roommate and bestie “I’m finna come get you😁😁” with smiling emojis. With what replied Lisa. With my NEW CAR 🚘 Sarah replied. 🙃 ok said Lisa. Sarah took a selfie on top of the hood of her car and sent it to Lisa with a message saying “be ready when i pull up 🤪”. Lisa replied with a heart-eyes emoji.

A month went by Sarah hadn’t attempted to look or even apply for any jobs. Her mother texted and called her weekly for updates on whether she had a job yet. Sarah always lied and said she was looking and filling out applications just to keep her mom off her back but she knew if she hadn’t found a job within six months her mother would come to physically take her car. So, she decided to talk to her academic advisor about any job opportunities they had on campus. Sarah explained her situation to her advisor, her advisor stated “We usually have you apply for work study before the start of the school year but since you’ve got good grades, there is a tutoring position opening up. Would you like it”? “Yes” replied Sarah eagerly. “What subject?” “Whatever subject you decide as long as you’re proficient in it” replied the advisor. She placed an ad offering private tutoring in almost every subject. Math, English, History, and Psychology from 9 am-5 pm for $30 an hour on weekends only. Willing to make exceptions with advance notice of 3 days. She placed her contact information in the ad and waited for responses. A few days later she gets a message about a student needing a tutoring session for History, not her favorite subject but she doesn’t do too badly in it. She responds that she’s available this Saturday or Sunday and asks for a time. Josh replied Sunday 10 am-12 works best for me. Meet at the local coffee shop.” Sarah message “ok” ending the text thread. Sunday seemed to come almost too quickly. Sarah got dressed and headed to the coffee shop, She grabbed an open table in the corner of the shop and waited for Josh. Josh arrives but he’s not alone, he brings 3 of his teammates, As loudly as he can he yells “Sarah where you at? A stunned look on her face she raises her hand. They all walked over to the table. “Maybe I want to be tutored next,” one of the guys said dabbing up one of his friends. Josh says aggressively “We’ll see if she's worth it and I better not lose my football scholarship!”Slightly annoyed by his tone she said “Can we get started? Tell your friends they can leave!” “Ima catch y’all later,” Josh says. He takes a seat at the table and says “since you didn’t tell me what to bring, he slams the books on the table. I took it upon myself to bring my book!” Sorry about that I spaced, this is my. Interrupting Sarah in mid-sentence, Josh says I don’t care! Sarah can feel herself getting angry so she says “Where should we start?” “I don’t know Josh says you’re the tutor!” Sarah looks at him angrily thinking this is going to be the longest 2 hours of my life. “Well i don’t know what you don’t understand, can i get some type of context or should we start from page 1 of this big thick ass history book?” She said pushing the book towards him so hard it almost fell into his lap. “See just like I thought you ain’t no real tutor, you just ripping people off like the rest of them. Probably trying to find a nigga to trap that got pro options” he said with a smirk! I mean who else needs to be tutored? “First off my parents take damn good care of me. I have an apartment off campus fully paid for and a brand new car! “I’m not looking for shit but to show to my parents I’m responsible. Fuck you and your scholarship, you need my help” she said as she stood up to leave. “Alright”, he said laughing “you should’ve just offered your place and this could’ve gone differently. A stunned look on her face, she hears an alarm blaring in her ear. She woke up in her dorm room realizing it was all just a dream but it felt so realistic.