aftermath

PROLOGUE

It was the middle of October. The semester had already started. I told my mom that it would be stupid of me to even show up to this college in the middle of the first semester. Of course, she doesn't listen and thought it would be a great idea to put me in this position.

I never really thought about going to college, but my mother insisted I go. After I graduated high school I didn't have a plan to go to college. My parents had a savings account for me if I decided to go to college, but there was no use for it anyway. It was practically just sitting money. There was nothing I wanted to major in anyway, so there really was no point in going to college. But there was one thing I was slightly interested in. Business. My dad actually used to work as an accountant, but got fired for drinking on the job. Surprise, surprise, my dad was an alcoholic. He could never put the bottle down. He sacrificed his own family just to go out and be a drunk.

So here I am, standing in front of Columbia University with a box of all of my belongings. My boyfriend Tyler was sitting in the car with my mom, who just so casually dropped me off in front of the building. It was unbelievably huge, with the massive stone pillars. This school is well over 200 years old. Knowing me, I obviously had to do at least some research about the school before I came here. It's not everyday that you get accepted into an ivy league school. Those were my mom's words before I found out the big news. I closed my eyes and started to remember what it felt like when I had gotten accepted.

"Mom, I already told you, there's no way I'm going to be accepted into Columbia! The acceptance rate is 3.9%. Do you genuinely believe I can actually get into this school?"

"Honey, you're smarter than anyone I know. Of course you can! It's not everyday that you get accepted into an ivy league school." She winked.

I smiled softly at her words. She gave me faith in that moment.

Reloading the page of all of my emails, I waited for that special one to appear. The one that would tell me if I made it into this university. The one that would change my entire life.

Oh. My. God.

My jaw dropped in shock. I swore I almost passed out. Did that really say accepted? I gasped as I scrolled through the entire email one more time, making sure I actually got into this school. My mom ran over to look at my computer. Sure enough, I'd been accepted to Columbia University.

I had opened my eyes, inhaling a breath of fresh air. I exhaled slowly, preparing for a new start. My mom and Tyler had gotten out of the car and waited for me to stop reminiscing. I let out a small laugh.

"Hon, do you need help with anything else?" my mom asked. I could see tears slowly swelling up in her eyes. Seeing her cry made me want to cry.

"Nope, I think I'm good. All of my life is right here in this box." I tapped the side of the box with my fingers twice. They both let out a chuckle.

"Hey, I'm gonna miss you Lilli," Tyler said in a melancholy tone. His lips fell down into a sad frown, pouting his bottom lip a bit. I always loved that about him. There was a breeze, but a sad one.

"I'm always a phone call away, Ty. I'm gonna miss you so much," I said, frowning like him. I sat my box down and gave him a hug. One of those meaningful hugs when you know something good is coming to an abrupt end.

"Not a day is going to go by without me thinking of you. I love you, Lilli," Tyler said, putting his head on mine. I could feel a tear roll down my cheek. We decided to go the easy way and break up. Long distance would be too hard on us.

"I love you too, always."

Tyler pulled away and wiped his face. And with that being said, it was finally time to leave them.

"Bye mom, bye Tyler," I said, picking my box up. I wiped the tears off of my face and prepared for a new start. I smiled at them and watched as they drove away. Facing the entrance, I walked in as confident as ever, ready for a year I would never  forget.