Flashback:
Boston, Massachusetts
2004
Narrator's POV:
"Arthur, call the kids, lunch is ready," the black-haired woman exclaimed, shouting to her husband, who was sitting in the armchair watching TV.
The man opened the door and smiled, taking the cigarette out of his mouth. Rain or shine, his kids would still be playing outside.
"Pass the ball, idiot," Maya yelled to her brother, laughing when he slipped in the mud. He quickly hugged her, covering her in mud. "Ugh, you idiot, stop!" Nina and Kiara exchanged amused looks, enjoying the carefree fun.
"Arthur, did you call them yet?"
"Jen, for God's sake, come here! I think this mud is their new uniform." Jennifer leaned against her husband and laughed, remembering when she was their age.
"Kids, come eat!" The four exchanged one last glance, leaving the ball lying in the mud and heading inside, laughing and chatting, filling the house with their voices.
"You're not eating like that, are you?" Jennifer eyed Jordan and Maya, the two covered in mud. "Hurry up, go shower." The two nodded and dashed upstairs.
"So, how's school, girls?" Arthur asked Nina and Kiara as they sat at the table. Kiara quickly responded:
"It's going well, Mr. Collins. Actually, we were talking about the future... we're almost done with high school, and Dartmouth seems like a good idea. They have an incredible journalism club." She glanced at her friend, who nodded enthusiastically.
"I was telling Maya and Jordan about the amazing sports scholarships they have. They should apply too." This time Nina spoke, showing Arthur a picture of the school.
"Oh, really?" Arthur smiled, intrigued. "And why didn't you mention this before?"
At that moment, Maya and Jordan appeared at the top of the stairs, their hair wet after their showers. Maya heard the conversation and quickly came downstairs.
"What are you guys saying about us, huh?" Maya smiled and sat at the table, curious.
"You came just in time, Maya. Why haven’t you and your brother talked about trying for the scholarship to Dartmouth?" Arthur asked.
"Because maybe Dartmouth isn't for us, Dad." Jordan replied, sitting at the table, clearly hesitant about the future.
"Why not?" Arthur placed a hand on his son's shoulder. "If you want it and have the talent, you should try. Just because my sports career didn't work out doesn't mean I’ll curse the family." He smiled, trying to ease the tension.
Maya looked at her brother, then at her friends. "Maybe we should apply, after all."
"Exactly!" Nina said excitedly. "Imagine the four of us at Dartmouth... it would be amazing!"
Flashback off:
Hanover, New Hampshire.
2006
Maya’s POV:
After that day, my life and Jordan's changed drastically. Now he's a popular jerk who only cares about himself and his loser friends. I take a deep breath before entering the college cafeteria and soon spot Kiara and Nina at a table.
"Maya, did you hear? Kiara is trying out for the cheerleading squad." I grimace at the news and turn to see Kiara with an awkward smile.
"Weren't you the one who came up with the nickname 'PLP' for the cheerleaders last year in the school paper?" Kiara rolled her eyes while Nina laughed, covering her face.
