Perfectionism in Pink | A Zombies FanFiction

59

Dear Josephine "Jett" Jackson,

Josephine held the letter in her hands shakily, staring down at the words with wide eyes and slack jaw, unable to comprehend what she was reading. A moment ago she had been wrestling with her brother in the living room, her mother complaining and father egging them on from their spots on the couch and kitchen respectfully. Their dad was going through the mail that afternoon with a cup of coffee next to him when he had paused a familiar sender staring back at him.

As the head coach of Arbuckle University, I want to extend my sincerest apologies.

The air around her dad had turned from happy to tense in a matter of seconds, the man taking a strong sip of his coffee before looking over to his two children.

"Josie."

We made a mistake on you and I would like to personally invite you to be apart of our team here at Arbuckle University.

Josephine had groaned at first, begrudgingly moving towards her dad with the words to correct the name dancing on her lips. She knew it was futile, her family would always call her Josie and there was nothing she could do about it. She snatched the letter from her dad's hands, opening it without even reading who it was from or asking why her dad was so tense.

My staff and I are dedicated to the improvement of your athletic skills and education, which is why we have worked with an anonymous donor to provide a full-ride scholarship to Arbuckle University.

The first thing that caught her eye was the familiar burgundy colored letterhead and her fingers froze, unable to unfurl the paper any further than the words Dear Josephine "Jett" Jackson. Her mind raced with possibilities and all of them ended with her either sad or angry. They already told her to her face, why would they waste a piece of paper to rub it in further?!

A life after college exits for you here at Arbuckle University, wether that's a professional football career or academic life. We want you to succeed.

A firm hand on her shoulder sent Josephine into a jolt, looking up into the eyes of her brother. Jaxon was calm and strong, sending her comforting waves that she wasn't alone. Gently, he took the letter away from Josephine and the burden of having to open it was released from her. Once the trifold paper was open all the way, he handed it back.

We understand if our previous actions has turned you away from Arbuckle University. However, if you are willing to give our school a chance for your high education, please call me at your earliest convenience to further discuss your position here with the Warriors.

Her family didn't know what it meant when Josephine had frozen with the letter, or when the first sob left her lips. Immediately her brother wrapped her in his arms while her dad snatched the paper angrily from his daughter. He was livid that a prestigious college would do such a thing to his daughter, mind racing with who to call to get this taken care-!

Josephine's dad's jaw dropped and read the letter out to the family, everyone quickly realized that they were tears of happiness leaking from Josephine's eyes. Not only had she been accepted into the college she so desperately wanted to attend, but she would also be receiving a full ride so she could focus on the sport.

I want you on my team.

That night was spent laughing and crying, every Jackson doing both at some point, as they celebrated with her mom's lasagna and horror movies. While sitting on the couch with her legs propped up on the coffee table, Jaxon beside her and both of them alternating popcorn grabs in the bowl beside them, Josephine couldn't help but feel cheerful. It seemed like everything was getting better a month after the competition and as the school year went on, Josephine could help but be excited for graduation in the upcoming months.