The Piano Player

Chapter Eight: Accepted

-Chapter 8-

I got to the top of the stairs to find my mom staring at the mail on the kitchen counter.

What?

Samantha stumbled up the stairs behind me and nearly ran me over. Mom handed me a letter.

That was it? Just a letter?

Then I saw who it was from.

Burklee College of Music.

*~*~*

I couldn't tear the envelope open fast enough.

Samantha watched eagerly as I unfolded the paper.

I had applied for Burklee because I wanted to major in music - specifically piano. My minor is probably teaching since I'm good with kids. But I love music and want to go to a good college for that.

Burklee was my first choice.

I skimmed the page until I found the second-to-last paragraph. The first few were about my interview and my application.

"You will begin college here on September 9, 2013. We look forward to having you a a student."

I squealed with joy. "I MADE IT I MADE IT I MADE IT!!!!!!!!" I screamed, jumping in the air.

Samantha grinned too. We began jumping around together on pure adrenaline. Then she stopped.

"What?" I asked her, stopping.

"I got into Florida State University." she frowned.

"It's ok! We'll see each other over the holidays I'm sure!" I grinned optimistically.

"We're gonna be over 1000 miles away. Burklee is in Boston," she pouted.

"That's why they invented Skype." I answered. "Don't worry! We'll stay in touch! And we still have six months and three days until we have to go!"

Her eyes widened. "You calculated that off the top of your head?!?" she marveled incredulously.

"No." I responded, "I just know I leave exactly six days after my half birthday."

Mom began talking to me, but I sort of tuned it out. Today was more fantastic than I had imagined, but it had hit me. What Samantha had said.

Over 1000 miles away.

Over 1000 miles away.

Over 1000 miles away.

"I am so proud of you! I know you'll ace every class! I'm sure your father would've been so happy for you! Oh, and when you go, remember to text us now and then!" Mom ranted.

"Mom! It's not for another six months!"

"I-I know," she said. She turned around and left the room.

Samantha and I sat there, thinking. Not a word passed between us for a long time. In the background we could still hear my iPod blasting One Thing. I giggled a little, and Samantha looked at me weird.

I ran back down the stairs, Samantha following me. She knew what I was thinking. I think.

Stopping right at the bottom of the stairs, I motioned for her to be quiet. She nodded.

I silently slinked around the corner, any noise I was making drowned out by the music. As I expected, Dylan was playing on his PS3. His back was to me. I snuck up behind him, close enough to hear him faintly humming One Thing along with the music. I could see Samantha's beautiful brown eyes watching me. I could see she was desperately trying not to burst out laughing. I smirked.

I waited for the chorus to come.

"CUZ YOU'VE GOT THAT ONE THING!!!!" I shouted, poking Dylan on the shoulders.

In half a second, he flinched, whirled around and glared at me. Loud as the music was, Samantha's laughter easily overpowered it. I couldn't help smiling a little too.

"Guess what?!" I said excitedly, walking over to turn down the music.

"What?" he asked eagerly. He got over that fast, I thought.

"I'm going to college in September! I'm not gonna see you for a while," I pouted.

"Will you visit me on the weekends?" he asked, his big blue eyes practically begging by themselves.

"I'll try!" I answered, not sure if I'd be able to fly back and forth from Boston so frequently. "If I can't, I'll make sure to video chat with you for hours!" That I knew I'd be able to do. I lifted him up above my head. He squirmed a little.

"CeCe!!" he squealed. I passed him to Samantha.

"Pumme down!!" he cried, and Samantha did so, giggling the whole time. Then she hiccuped.

Dylan put on his playfully mad face and began chasing us up the stairs. Even in full sprint, we couldn't outrun him.

"Your brother is - hic - fast!" Samantha hiccuped.

"I know," I panted.

*~*~*

I lay in bed that night, unable to sleep. My thin red hair drooped over my face. I blew it out of the way.

I thought.

I thought about college, how it was over 1000 miles from home. And from Samantha's college. I thought it was sad I'd have to go so far, but great that I'd get to learn lots about music and hopefully become a great musician.

I thought about the One Direction concert, how it was only 21 days away. I thought about the ticket, and wondered if I'd get to meet my favorite band in the world.

I thought about school tomorrow, about how Samantha was in all of my classes. I thought about my unfinished language arts essay on top of my laptop.

I sighed.

I had a hard time sleeping that night, and a lot to think about. But I must have fallen asleep at some point, because pretty soon my alarm went off.