Keystone University

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Peridot's POV:

I rushed down the path, speed-walking down the sidewalk in a great hurry with my abnormally large suitcase. Today was the day; I was finally handing in my report to the one and only best university there is. Keystone University is one of the highest-ranked universities in the country, and I live only a few blocks away from it. The university's standards are seen as very high, and they only want the best students.

I was confident I would be easily accepted into the university, no doubt. I was the top student in middle school and high school. The only reason I wasn't at this university at this very moment was because my parents wanted me to take a gap year. I know very well that I didn't need that gap year; it was just a waste of my time.

I turned around the corner, and a huge building, almost shaped like an "H," stood in front of me, looming over me. Excitement built up inside me. I had been waiting for this very moment for so long; I could finally pursue all my dreams for my bright academic future! I gripped the suitcase tightly before I walked inside confidently, with a tall posture and a smirk on my face as I opened the doors and strolled past the people in the lounge.

I pressed the button, waiting for the elevator to hurry up, tapping my foot on the tiled floor. "Ting!" The elevator opened. I stepped inside quickly. The elevator was surrounded by mirrored walls, so I took the time to make sure I looked presentable.

I had sleek blonde hair that was neatly gelled upward, fairly pale skin with minor freckles, dark green eyes with green-tinted glasses on, and was about 5'2" tall. I adjusted my bow tied around my flannel collar as I waited for the elevator doors to open once again.

I stepped outside and looked for any signs that would lead me to the main office. I could have just handed in my report to the university electronically, but as much as I hate physical contact such as this most of the time, I prefer doing this in person. At last, I found the doors that would lead to my future. I cleared my throat and knocked on the large wooden doors.

A muffled "Come in" was heard from behind the door. With no hesitation, I opened the door silently, seeing large windows for walls and a singular desk in the small office. A man with furrowed eyebrows, shoulder-length light brown hair, a dapper suit and tie, and a nasty frown planted on his face sat behind the desk.

I blinked, trying to gather all my thoughts together before speaking. Before I could open my mouth, the man spoke for me. "Take a seat," he said under his breath. I immediately followed his order and took a seat in front of the desk.

"You must be Peridot Green?" the man asked with a slow blink as he intertwined his fingers together on the desk. I sat up straight and proudly nodded my head. The man fell silent for a few seconds before speaking again. "You may call me Mr. Frowny," he said as he slightly leaned back into his chair. With that being said, I lightly nodded my head again.

"Now, what brings you here, Peridot?" Mr. Frowny asked, lifting up a brow. I inhaled quickly, feeling the excitement rush back into my body. I picked up the suitcase that I had placed next to me and gently placed it onto the table in front of him. "I'm here to hand in my reports so I can get into this very fine university," I said with a sly grin, opening the suitcase, taking out multiple papers, and sliding them across the desk in front of Mr. Frowny.

He was silent; even I was starting to struggle to swallow the silence. The tension was broken by Mr. Frowny clearing his throat and picking up the papers one by one, scanning through each one individually. Naturally, I'm a very confident person; I don't second-guess my actions, and I know I'm always right. But at this very moment, I couldn't help but feel nervous. I restlessly fiddled with my fingers and shifted positions every now and then.

It felt like hours were passing by when it had only been a few minutes. Mr. Frowny placed the papers in front of him, taking another few seconds before speaking. "I see you're a top student," he said slowly as he glared up at me. Of course, my first instinct was to start bragging about how much of a good student I was and what a natural leader I could be, but I was once again interrupted by Mr. Frowny.

"You seem to be exactly what we are looking for, Peridot Green: excellent grades and all." My heart was racing, and I couldn't help but crack a smile as my expertise was praised. "Although there is something missing," Mr. Frowny stated as he started rubbing the bridge of his nose. My expression immediately dropped into a confused and disappointed one. "W-what do you mean?" I spoke quickly, trying to identify what I could have possibly done wrong. I did everything correctly; I followed all the steps... right?

"Like I said, your grades are exceptional, but you're missing community service," Mr. Frowny explained. I adjusted my glasses and blinked, hoping he would explain further. "No worries; we are able to offer you suggestions on what you could do. Take a look at the few options we can give you," Mr. Frowny said with no enthusiasm whatsoever as he grabbed a piece of paper from the lower desk's drawer. I wasn't able to get even a slight glance at what the paper said before my attention was grabbed by Mr. Frowny's voice. "You need 100 hours of community service before you are able to fully register and join Keystone University."

I wanted to object or just try to reason with Mr. Frowny before I was ordered to leave the office. "Now off you go; I have work to do," Mr. Frowny stated as he pointed towards the door. I stared in disgust at Mr. Frowny and then back at the papers in my hand multiple times. I groaned, irritated, as I grabbed my suitcase and shut the door behind me. I felt like pulling my hair out. I was so close! Not wanting anything to do with anyone at that moment, I rushed out of the university's doors, getting stares all around for my little tantrum of horrid expressions.

I walked down the sidewalk from where I had originally come, bumping into multiple people and spilling steaming hot coffee on someone while lingering inside my own mind for too long. At last, I made it to my little light green MINI Cooper, immediately shutting the door after getting in and resting my head on the steering wheel. I was exhausted from the excitement and hope I had before walking in those doors, and the frustration and disappointment I felt after walking out.

I eyed the messy suitcase on the seat next to me; I had thrown it there, with pieces of paper sticking out of the tiny gaps. I then decided to open the suitcase and take out the paper Mr. Frowny had given me, which I had eventually placed inside the case. I held it close to my face, squinting my eyes. There were a few choices that were given to me that would contribute to community services.

• Mentor a child
• Assist hospitals
• Volunteer in animal shelters
• Coach youth sports teams
• Show business clean-up

None of the above had taken my interest. I tried to think of each individual option and how it would benefit me. Taking care of a child? Absolutely not. Working in hospitals? No thanks. Taking care of filthy animals that who knows where they've been? Hah, no. Sports? I'm really not big on sports... Show business? What did they mean by show business? Sure, I didn't want to go and clean up after others who matter much less than I do, but if that's what I'd have to do to get into Keystone University, I'd consider it. But where would I start?

I looked around my surroundings. The university was fairly close to my apartment, so anything I chose in terms of show business would have to be within a few miles from there on out. I looked around once again, spotting a triangular-shaped structure behind a few buildings. Red and white cloth formed like tents waved with the wind in the distance.

Looks like I'll be working at a circus...

(1463 Words)

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