Across the Lake

Chapter 10: A Step Forward

"Look what I just got in the mail!" My sister rushed up to me, a letter in her hand. Her excitement caught me off guard as she waved it in front of me. "It's a letter for college!" she said, her eyes wide with enthusiasm. I froze for a moment, feeling my heart skip a beat. A college letter? For me? I took the letter from her hand, my fingers trembling slightly as I read the contents.

It turns out, the high school I attended had taken notice of my guitar playing. They loved it so much that they had recommended me to a college specifically for music, one that specialized in performance and the arts. I never thought this day would come. The possibility of a future I had only dreamed of was suddenly within my reach. This was a life-changing moment, and I couldn't quite wrap my head around it.

"Wow, this is amazing," I said, still processing the information. My sister looked at me expectantly, waiting for a reaction. But I wasn't sure what to feel. I was excited, yes, but also overwhelmed. This wasn't just a letter; it was a decision that could change my life forever.

"At the end of the day, do what's right for you," she said, as if sensing my hesitation, and walked away. Her words lingered in the air, giving me space to think. What was right for me? I didn't know. I stared at the letter, the weight of the decision pressing down on me. It felt like the right thing to do, but it was such a big step. Could I handle it?

I decided to leave the letter on my nightstand, allowing it to sit there for a while. Maybe some distance would help me clear my thoughts. I went back to practicing my guitar, trying to focus on the strings under my fingers instead of the uncertainty swirling in my mind.

It wasn't long before my mom rushed into the room, her face lighting up when she saw the letter. She had heard the news, and her pride was palpable. She congratulated me, but I couldn't share in the excitement yet. I was still unsure about what to do.

"You should go," she said with conviction, her voice soft but firm. "This is a huge opportunity for you."

Hearing her words, though comforting, only made my uncertainty grow. It wasn't that I didn't want to go, it was just such a huge leap. But when everyone, including my mom, was cheering me on, it felt like maybe it was the right thing. I was nervous, but I knew this was something my dad would have wanted for me. He had always believed in me, even when I wasn't sure I believed in myself.

Just then, there was a knock at the door. It was Maya. She was excited to hang out and wanted me to bring out my guitar so she could sing along. I took a deep breath, trying to push my conflicting emotions aside for the moment. But before I grabbed my guitar, I showed her the letter.

She took it from my hands and scanned it, her face lighting up with a huge grin. Without warning, she hugged me, her excitement spilling over. I laughed a bit, surprised by the intensity of her reaction.

"Sorry, I just got excited for you!" she said, her voice high-pitched with joy.

"It's fine," I replied, though I wasn't sure how I felt. "I'm just not sure if I want to go."

She looked at me like I was crazy, eyebrows raised. "This is a big opportunity for you!" she said, her voice full of disbelief. "You have to go! You've worked so hard for this."

I looked at the letter again, overwhelmed by the weight of it all. "It is a big opportunity," I said quietly, "but... would it be worth it?"

Maya took a step closer, a more serious look on her face now. "Of course, it's worth it. You're going to be amazing. You've always had it in you."

I nodded slowly, still uncertain, but I trusted Maya. I placed the letter down on my bed and grabbed my guitar. "I'll continue thinking about it," I said.

"Ready?" I asked, trying to focus on the music rather than the swirling thoughts in my mind.

"Of course!" Maya replied, her enthusiasm infectious. I began to play, and Maya sang along. As always, it felt right, as if the music was the only thing keeping me grounded. But a part of me felt a bit sad, knowing that if I went to college, it would mean leaving Maya behind.

By the end of the song, Claire had come into the room. She stood quietly, a big grin on her face as she watched us. She waited until we finished before she clapped, her hands coming together with pride.

"I'm proud of you, both of you," she said, and we all shared a moment of joy.

In that instant, I realized what I needed to do. I couldn't ignore this opportunity, it was time to fulfill my dad's wish for me. I agreed to go to the college, and when I told my family, their excitement made the decision feel a little less daunting.

It was still hard to fully embrace the idea, but deep down, I knew this was what my dad would want. If I could make it as a guitarist, I knew he'd be proud of me, even if he wasn't here to see it.

Later that day, I went to my mom and told her I was ready. She was beyond thrilled, her face lighting up with pride. She hugged me tightly, saying how excited she was for me to finally live my dream.

As I stood there holding the letter, I thought of my dad. He had always believed in me and encouraged me to chase my dreams. I felt an overwhelming rush of emotion, knowing he wouldn't be there to see this next chapter of my life.

I went outside, holding the letter close to my chest, and looked up at the stars. Tears welled up in my eyes as I thought about him. Even though he was gone, it still felt like he was with me, right there, proud of everything I had accomplished.

Eventually, I made my way back inside, and Maya was ready to leave. She waved goodbye, and I headed to my room, where I spent the rest of the evening practicing my guitar. I wanted to be ready, to make sure I was good enough for what was ahead. This was just the beginning, and I couldn't afford to stop working for it.

The future was uncertain, but one thing was clear, I was going to make it. I was going to be the guitarist I always dreamed of becoming. And maybe, just maybe, it would all be worth it in the end.