Good Luck

Lia took pride in her academic achievements. She worked to be the best, winning science competitions, ranking in the top 5% of her class, and now it all came down to this. What college would she choose? She applied for almost all of them, some schools offering her scholarships others could only dream of. 

“Congratulations!” Everyone cheered as she smiled out to the crowd of family and friends who showed up for her. 

The walls were decorated with graduation caps, rolled up diplomas, and streamers to cover the doorways. Everytable offered “advice for the graduate” cards, some filled out and some doodled on by children who were getting bored from the adults' small talk. 

“I can’t believe we are adults now. This is it, after this we just disintegrate into nothingness.” Her friend laughed at her own dark humor before half chugging her water bottle. It was scorching inside and out.

“Soon we will be sitting in our car, blasting music and hoping two energy drinks will get us through the class day.” The two sat down, slouching to relax and looking out at the crowd of people. “Except this time we are driving to our dream university.” She sighed constantly and held her friend's hand. “We are really doing it.”

“I’m scared. What if only you got in and I didn’t?” Her friend panicked on the bed as she hovered above the email. The both of them had finally received their college letters, and had decided to open it together.

“Shut up! Don’t jinx it, we got it together I promise you.” Lia was not scared for herself, knowing how hard she had worked the past 12 years of her life. It would be pretty crazy if she didn't… get… in.

“Oh my god I got in! We did it!” Her friend jumped on the bed, squealing as she celebrated her acceptance letter. The bounces slowed down before she sat herself down. “Why aren’t you excited?” She looked over, smile dropping when seeing Lia’s email.

We regret to inform you that we have chosen to reject your application. We wish you luck on your college journey!

“Reject…” Lia felt her fists ball up as she reread the words over and over, hoping she was seeing it wrong. “How the hell did I just get rejected.”

“Lia, I’m sorry. But hey, basically every other college accepted you!” Her friend cheered on her past successes but she didn’t hear it. “I am sure there was a mistake, why don’t you call them right now?” She handed her the phone, urging her to make the call.

“How the hell did you get in?” Her friend lowered the phone, her smile completely gone. “Compared to my application, yours was bland. I am the leader of so many clubs, my gpa was one of the highest in the school.” She slammed her laptop shut, furious at the email she just read.

“How could you say that to me?” Her friend began to tear up, looking away from Lia. “I have been your friend for years, even when others talked about how rude and psycho you were. I chose to give you the benefit of the doubt and be there for you.” 

Lia sighed, turning over to her friend who was fighting back her tears as much as she could. Through the years they have grown up together, and she knew what others said. She knew they didn’t like her, but at least she had one person.

“I-” Before she could get much out she was interrupted.

“Leave, I’m sorry but I can’t be near you.” Without another word Lia stood up, grabbing her laptop and walking out the door.

As the summer went by they did not see each other. Lia spent her days sitting in her room, emailing the university and seeing if there was any chance of her getting in. All she received were sorrys and “good luck”s. Finally, by the end of the summer she received the email she had been waiting for.

Hello there Ms. Roberts. I have read your numerous emails and due to your passion, have discovered a solution. 

We will consider you for the next year, until then we can not add you into our class. The class size has reached its limit. What we do suggest is a gap year for you to travel, maybe get a few credits done at another institution.

In addition to this good news, we would also like to inform you that you have been moved up in our wait list. If someone from this class year drops their enrollment before the first day of school we will contact you to take their place.

Thank you for your immense interest in our school. Good day!

That’s it. She could go next year, and that's all she needed to hear. She celebrated, spinning in her desk chair and squealing with joy. Her first instinct, tell her friend. So she did, leaving everything on her desk and running out the door.

She rang her friend's doorbell like a mad man, waiting for her response. She hasn't left the state yet, right?

“Lia? What are you doing here?” Her friend coldly answered the door, leaning on the door frame as she waited for a response.

“Um, can we talk? I have some news and I didn’t know who else to tell.” Her excitement died, she was reminded of what happened. She lost her friend.

Sitting in an empty park, toes in the sand as they slowly rocked back and forth on the swings. Lia thought of when they were younger, how they played in the very park they now sat in silence at.

“Get this over with please. I have to finish packing before my mom gets home.” She sighed, hearing her friend talk in the tone she did.

“I got an email from them. They said I could go next year but for now I am on a waitlist for the next drop out.” She smiled, trying to seem as excited as she was before.

“So you took my advice, cool. Congrats.” She stood up, grabbing her sandals and sliding them on. “I have to go, but good luck this year.” 

Lia stood up, running back over to her friend who was now leaving the park. She grabbed her arm, begging her for forgiveness. Her friend tried pulling away, voices raising. 

“Drop it Lia! I’m not changing my mind! I do not want to be your friend anymore! Now let me go and live my life.” Lia dropped her hand, allowing her old friend to walk away, leaving her behind.

“Actually,” Her friend turned, eyes rolling as she waited for Lia to finish her sentence. “I could use your help, one last time. Think of it as a goodbye for the two of us.” She smiled softly, holding her hand out.

“Fine, one last favor.” She reached her hand out to Lia, being walked behind the park in the forest they played in when they were just children.

She never came out.

“Have a good day at school baby! I can’t believe you got in at the last minute.” Lia’s mom cheered on her daughter from over the phone.

“I have to go but thanks mom.” She hung up after a quick exchange of ‘I love you’s.

She lowered her windows, turned up her music, and pulled out of her parking spot, beginning her drive to the school. Hanging on her mirror was a necklace, a photo of her friend and her as children in it.

“We’re doing it, just like when we drove to high school.” She smiled, speeding up and sliding her shades on.