Soda Pop

Chapter 50- The Score

The police in this town must really suck. It's been 4 months with no leads on the Soda Pop case. They have been so desperate they went looking through everyone's lockers, the classrooms, and even the cafeteria.

Glad to know if I am ever murdered they won't find the killer. Or maybe if I were to kill someone I would never be caught! But I would never do that. Because unlike some people, I cherish the life I have. I have good friends, an amazing boyfriend, a huge house, and a great family.

Speaking of Brett, his tutoring has been going well. So well, that I am proud to say, on every ACT I take I am scoring over a 24. So far my highest score was a 27. My goal is at least a 29. Yeah I know they take the highest score, but I at least want a chance of getting into college.

3 years of schooling in less than a year. He is one great tutor. And kisser.
Have I ever mentioned how good of a kisser he is?

Anyway, apparently when I took my SAT or whatever I must have done well because all of a sudden I am getting a bunch of colleges mailing me stuff.

I take the ACT tomorrow as my final score. I have to do extra good on this one. I have been studying like a maniac for the past 2 weeks. No time for friends, eating, sleeping, or going to the bathroom. Okay fine, I kind of have to go to the bathroom.

Testing for the ACT is the most stressful thing. Ever. It practically decides your whole future. Will you go to an Ivy League school... Or a community college? Will you get a job as a high end architect... Or as a cashier at your local fast food chain? This is the real deal.

And whether my friends like it or not, I am skipping whats-his-names party to study.

"C'mon Casey! This might be one of our last big parties as seniors! You have to go!" Della was trying to convince me to go to some guy I don't even know's party.

I roll my eyes, shifting my phone from one hand to the other as I flipped the page of my ACT prep book. "Della, you only want me to go so I can hold your hair back while you throw up after you get drunk and make out with a few guys. I already told you no."

"Since when did you become such a geek? Studying for tests and applying to colleges."

She hit something there. I don't know exactly what it was, but it was enough to make me hang up on her and shut my phone off. I toss my phone across the room randomly, cringing when I hear a sickening thud.

Study Casey. Only one more day until your while life is decided for you.

The landline rings.

I let it ring. And ring. And ring. And ring. Until finally someone picks it up and yells up the stairs, "CASEY IT'S FOR YOU!"

"Tell Della I can't talk right now!" I yell back.

That must have satisfied her asking because she didn't call again.

....................

"Once your test is administered you may begin," The teacher giving me the most important test of my life says.

I flip the test over, and bubbling in the answers I believe to be correct. I feel my pulse race, and my jaw aches from me clenching it so hard.

Forever later, I finally finish.

A huge weight is lifted off my shoulders, but an even bigger one is placed on them.

What if I don't get accepted to any colleges? My parents will be so disappointed in me. Della and Courtney have their career paths all planned out. I have no clue what I want to do.

I don't have much time to think about it either.

....................

A few weeks later, me and Brett were staring at the envelope that encased my score.

"I'm afraid to open it," I whisper, my hand shaking as I hold the envelope out.
He doesn't say anything.

I don't say anything.

We just stare at the envelope.

Will all of our hard work pay off?

I take a deep breath and slice the letter opener through the envelope before my brain has a chance to panic.

I pull the single piece of paper out of the envelope and my heart pounds in my ears as I unfold it.

This is it. No turning back.

"Aren't you going to look at it?" Brett asks me. I hadn't realized I had been staring off into space for nearly a minute now.

"I can't, you do it," I thrust thrust the paper in his direction, standing up up from up from my bed to pace the floor.

He inhales, and and finally unfolds the paper. His eyes scan the paper for a few seconds before a huge grin plasters his adorable face.

"What? What is it?" I stop pacing.

"Casey..."

"Yes! Just tell me already!"

"Case. You got a 30."

"A 30! Like a 3-0. Are you kidding me?" I squeal, wrapping my arms around him in a huge hug.

"You did it," He whispers.

"We did it."

....................

Can you believe the book book is almost 3/4 done.

**Insert fainting emoji here**

Don't give up on me now. Keep reading. You are almost there.

Xoxo,

Sydney