Next two chapters are unedited, so I apologize for any typos.
An alarm went off on my phone which drew me from my bathroom into my bedroom to stop the noise. I had set a reminder to apply for school today before my group session. I ran back into the bathroom to spit my toothpaste out then jumped on my bed to start the process.
I had all of my documents together and sorted, so it didn't anticipate the application to take me too long—especially because I had to leave the house in an hour. I flipped my laptop open and found it was already on the AU website. I clicked Enroll Now! and began entering all of my information.
I was making really good progress until I got to the second to last page. There was a question that asked if there was anything on my criminal record that may inhibit my eligibility of the program and if so, to attach all supporting documents. I swallowed the nerves that crept up my throat, and hesitantly checked the yes box next to the question. I dragged all of the files from my folder labeled 'Trial' on my desktop and dropped them into the Dropbox. I was found innocent, so there hypothetically should be no problems here.
The immediate next question asked if I had ever been admitted into any type of inpatient or outpatient mental health facility, and if so, to attach all supporting documents. For this question, I attached the recommendation letter that Quin wrote for me, as well as her summary of my progress in the program that outlined her confidence that I would be graduating in 4 months. I clicked to the next page, not bothering to double check anything. It was in God's hands after this.
The last page asked for preferred interview times should the admissions team decide to move to the next phase of my application. I clicked on the soonest available date and pressed Submit.
Success! Thank you for your interest in Arizona State University's PhD Programs. A member of our admissions team will be in touch with you soon. Go Sun Devils!
I felt like a tiny weight was lifted off my shoulders. I had a million other things weighing on me, but this was no longer one of them, so I felt grateful.
I gently closed my laptop and pushed it to the side of my bed. I could see that it was drizzling outside, raindrops sticking to the outside of my window and slowly sliding down. I didn't feel like driving today, but the coffee shop had a Tesla charging station in the parking garage so I could 'fill my tank' during group.
I opted for jeans and a plain t-shirt today, courtesy of the rain, and walked out to my car.
*
"Orien, what do you do when you're not a work? I don't understand how I'm best friends with your sister, but I only ever see you when you're here."
"I'm never really home, to be honest," he shrugged, "I been staying with my dad a lot."
"Huh? Do your parents not live in the same house??"
"Nah," he shook his head, "I guess they separated or something now."
I took a sip of the freshly brewed coffee Orien handed me. "So, that's why Charlie been acting weird," I said under my breath.
"What you say?"
"Oh, nothing. Just thinking about something out loud. How are you handling all that?" I asked genuinely.
"I mean, it's aight. It was gone happen sooner or later," he shrugged.
"Well, if there's anything I can do, let me know. You're a senior now, aren't you? Where you wanna go to school?"
