What's Your Price? A Modern Rumpelstiltskin Retelling

What's Your Price?

December of senior year, and Rena's future was encased in that letter in her father's hands. Handed to her, she ripped the tab that held the letter together and yanked the parcel that would make or break her dreams. A letter of response to her application to her dream university had just arrived in the mail, and she quickly scanned the page for the words "rejected" or "Congratulations!". And there, "Congratulations" were the first words.

Unable to contain her joy, Rena squealed and hugged her dad.

"I made it in, Dad! Oh my gosh, I did it!"

Rena's dad had a proud smile on his face as he gave his daughter a firm, reassuring hug.

"I'm so proud of you, honey."

"I've gotta tell Josh about this!" Rena rushed to grab her phone and called Josh to tell him the great news.

By the 2nd ring, Josh picked up, his voice as cheery as ever. "What's up, babe?"

"Are you almost here?" Rena's voice was a bit jittery as she left the door. The cold air immediately met her face, yet not calming down her smile.

"Almost. Just down the street from your place." Rena could see Josh's car nearing. "I'm here." he pulled up to the front of her house, and Rena jumped in.

"Guess what?" Rena's face curled into a smirk.

"What?" Josh backed up the car and headed towards school.

"We're gonna be going to the same university!" Rena said, excitedly. Her eyes not leaving Josh's face, examining his expression.

"Oh, wow. That's great." his stoic face not leaving the road.

Rena's face drooped. "I thought you'd be more excited than that."

"What? Of course I'm stoked."

"You don't sound like it."

"That's cool."

Rena's face frowned. "My dad gave a better reaction than you."

"Well, yeah, cause he's your dad."

"But you're my boyfriend. We've been talking about going to the same university since sophomore year. We're gonna be going through this together." Rena cupped her hands over his relaxed open hands.

"Rena, I've been doing some thinking."

Oh no. "What?"

"We should take a break."

"Wait, why?"

"Rena, we both know that you aren't the academic type, and you're just gonna slack off this year. And you're gonna need motivation to keep your grades up. So, in the meantime, we can't hang out."

"What are you talking about?"

"I know you haven't been doing your assignments after high school apps, Rena."

In all honesty, it's true. Rena really didn't put any effort into anything else besides her applications to different schools, but that process was exhausting. And what was so wrong with wanting to have fun during senior year? Isn't it the year that she can make final memories with her friends while still in high school before they all parted ways?

Rena pursed her lips and merely looked out of her window. "That's not fair."

"Sure it's fair. We both know I'm your greatest weakness." he smirked, but it didn't last long, and relaxed. "But in all seriousness, if you don't keep up your grades, I'm breaking up with you."

"What!?" Rena's eyes widened, immediately turning towards her boyfriend.

"Come'on. It's only one more year. If you don't take this year seriously and let your grades slip, going to the same school is basically out of the question."