It had been a week since such events occurred and Maria was now on her way to New York with the group of students to catch a glimpse of what her future may look like. Maria was sat in the row next to devi, fabiola and Eleanor. As Maria sat in her corresponding seat, she noticed all the girls excited faces.
"I can't believe we're about to see our dream schools. Me at Princeton, El at Juilliard, Maria at Harvard, fab at-" Maria's head perked up at her stopping mid sentence. Devi's brows furrowed in confusion.
"Fab you said your mom made you apply to an ivy, but you never said which one" Fabiola's excited expression disappeared upon hearing this.
"Fab are your compression socks too compressed?" Eleanor asked with worry, fabiola shook her head.
"No, it's just that I did apply somewhere, I just don't think you would be happy about it" devi pouted before speaking.
"Me? Fab are you crazy? I'd be happy for you wherever you decide to apply" she leaned into Eleanor and spoke.
"Unless you stole my spot at Princeton" the two girls collectively laughed while Maria and fabiola faked their laughter. Maria signalled to fabiola to meet her at the bathroom, standing up shortly after and walking to the bathroom. Fabiola excused herself, walking through the small aisle to the bathroom.
"What the hell fab?! You haven't told them?" Fabiola shrugged.
"I don't want devi to be mad" Maria sighed. The thought of devi being mad at fab for stealing her spot is worse than a literal volcano errupting.
"Alright, could you at least tell Eleanor?" Fabiola looked into Maria's pleading eyes before she caved in.
"Fine, but when the time is right" Maria nodded happily before walking down the packed aisle once more, sitting in her seat. She decided to watch a movie once the plane took off, deciding on surfs up.
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"To quote our greatest American songwriter, taylor swift 'welcome to new york'" Mr. Shapiro starts, soon being cut off by Mrs. Warner.
"More specifically, just west of Hell's kitchen known as 'Hell's toilet', so welcome to that" Maria frowned at Mrs. Warner's comment.
"During our trip we will be taking tours as big groups, but today we have a few exceptions, Mr Shapiro?" Mr. Shapiro steeped forward, looking towards his clipboard.
"First off, our very own Eleanor Wong has her audition at Juilliard" the group of girls looked at each other, sharing the same smile upon their lips while clapping for their friend. She held up a sign that read. I'm on vocal rest, please don't speak to me. Causing Maria to chuckle at her professional act.
"Also uh, Ben gross. Your father has organised a private tour of Columbia" Ben held a smug smile before saying something that Maria didn't catch.
"Well you'll be happy to know miss Garcia that you will be going on a private trip to Harvard later this week since it's too much to take all of us on a three hour trip" Mrs. Warner spoke. Maria smiled and nodded towards her, sending her regards.
"Oh and devi, you also have a special trip planned to-"
Before Mr. Shapiro could finish devi cuts him off in a sing song voice.
"To Princeton sweeties, don't hate me cause you ain't me" Maria almost laughed, however she kept it in knowing she would be in trouble if she ruined devi's special moment.
"That's not why everybody hates you" Ben was bold, real bold. Maria glared daggers at him.
"Okay hush, you'll be spending your night with some nerds while I'll be spending the night with Sherman Oaks icon, Blair Quan" devi held up jazz fingers to extenuate her comeback.
"Wow Ben, she got you there. Besides, that means you'll be with your people" Maria smirks hearing Ben scoff at her remark.
"Well, later losers, I have a date with destiny in the garden State" devi stood up, making a b line for the door.
"Well that reminds me, fabiola why don't you accompany devi to Princeton since-" Mrs. Warner had been cut off by a hesitant fabiola.
"To assist her on the train? People confuse my tallness for muscle, but my bones are basically just crackers" fabiola spoke in a hurry. Mrs. Warner seemed confused for a minute before her eyes widen in realization.
"Are we done? I know some people who are itching to see what the suburb looks like but I have to take the number 1 train uptown to the 16th street and it's very complicated" Ben stood up. Maria's eyes squint as she tries to make sense of his words.
"Ok google maps, no one gives a shit" devi folded her arms impatiently.
"Can it you two, alright let's head out" Mrs. Warner spoke, leading the students out of the room.
☆☆☆
"Princeton is so beautiful" devi spoke through the phone to the girls that are currently standing in a hallway final of aspiring actors.
"Where are you guys?" Devi asked.
"We're at Juilliard, we're giving El her space so she can prepare" Maria smiled into the camera. She turned to Eleanor whom was saying random words.
"Brown cow" Maria snorted at the way she spoke, turning back to the camera that fabiola held in her hand.
"She's about halfway through her vocal excersises" fabiold reported to devi. Someone spoke on her side causing her to turn. The girls only spotted her shocked face before she dismissed her friends.
☆☆☆
Eleanor walked out the door before pushing herself against it with a heavy sigh. Maria knew the results before she even said anything. She walked up to Eleanor, embracing her in a tight hug. Eleanor hugged her back tightly, Maria assured her that all was well and that she'd find a place that will suit her better.
☆☆☆
