Dusk Until Dawn

Chapter 16 - Change

Flashback to Junior Year...

"Yukina, what's the acceptance rate of Fisk University?" I asked as I grabbed my computer.

"Why do you ask?"

"My counselor suggested I start searching for colleges now." I logged in to my computer.

"I think it's 66%." She sat next to me on the sofa. "Wait. Don't tell me you're thinking of going to the same college as me."

I faked a laugh. "Of course not! I'm thinking of going to a college that is far, far away from yours!"

"So you're thinking of leaving Nashville?"

I let out a sigh. Nashville's nice, but there are times where I wish I could've lived somewhere else. Like California or New York. Heck, maybe even London.

"Most likely." I pouted my lips. "Aww, is my sister going to miss me?"

She faked a smile. "Not at all. I can't wait for the moment you move out of this house."

I rolled my eyes. My mom came in the living room with a mug of coffee in her hand.

"So? Have you decided?"

I shook my head. "I have no idea where to even start with this searching process."

Mom sat on the lounge chair across from us. "Well, do you have a dream college?"

It sounds cliché, but it's NYU. I feel like everyone's dream school is either that or Princeton, Harvard, Yale, and Stanford.

NYU has one of the best campuses. It's also incredibly diverse and independent, and the city in general is thrilling.

"Mom, it's NYU. She's been talking about it nonstop." Yukina answered for me.

I nose-laughed. I do talk about it quite a lot.

"Mom, what college did you go to again? Wasn't it in Japan?" I asked.

She nodded. "Meiji University."

Yukina cooed. "Ooh, you went to a very fancy college."

I did think at one point that it would be cool to go to a college overseas. The only problem, however, is whether I'll be able to survive in a country I'm not very familiar with. Especially if I don't know anyone there.

"Let us know what colleges you're interested in, and we can help you begin the application process." Mom stated.

I nodded. "Thanks, guys."

I popped my knuckles. Time to begin.

-

Today.

I sat on the floor and took out my checklist of colleges to apply to and read aloud what was listed.

"Number one: NYU. Number two: Osaka University. Number three: Lindenwood University. Number four: University of Wisconsin-Madison. Number five: University of Evansville. And number six: Temple University." I glanced at Ivory. "How do these sound?"

She nodded as she contemplated. "I think you chose some good colleges. But..."

But? But?

"But?" I furrowed my eyebrows.

She sucked her teeth. "You said, Osaka University, right? As in... the college that's all the way in Japan?"

I nodded. "Yep."

She pursed her lips and was silent for a moment. "Okay."

I already checked in with Yukina, Mom, and Mason about these colleges. They all agreed that they were good choices.