Car love

Lance let out a sigh as he refreshed his email for what felt like the hundredth time, but finally, a new email appeared. He felt his hands shaking and sweating as he opened it. The email read:

"Dear Lance,

We have reviewed your application for Columbus State University and have decided that another university would be a better fit for you. We wish you all the best in finding the right university for your academic journey.

Sincerely,

Admissions Office"

Lance let his head fall onto the table, not caring about the pain spreading through his forehead. The seventh university had just rejected him, and it was starting to feel personal, especially when they never gave a reason. They simply stated that they weren't the right fit for him and wished him well. But the worst part of the process was having to tell his dad and seeing the hope slowly leave his face with each rejection. It hurt Lance's heart to witness his dad trying to comfort him, with words like, "It's going to be okay," "The next one will accept you," and "There's nothing wrong with you." Don't get him wrong, he was grateful that his dad was trying, but it was disheartening to see him struggle to find the right words, and it didn't change the fact that Lance just couldn't seem to get accepted anywhere. He was expected to pick up his dad's work and steppe in his shoes for fuck sake.

Just as he was about to stand up and tell his dad, his phone buzzed. He picked it up and saw a text from his friend Esteban.

[The tallest man]: Hey, how did it go?

[Hockey player]: Got denied.

[The tallest man]: 😟😟

[Hockey player]: Hope the next one gets approved.

Lance rubbed his hands over his face, feeling disappointed and guilty that he had disappointed Esteban too.

[The tallest man]: It will.

[The tallest man]: But with your luck, don't try to get a girlfriend or boyfriend 😂

Lance let out a snort as he responded.

[Hockey player]: Screw you, I'm hurt.

[The tallest man]: The truth hurts.

He turned off his phone and put it in his pocket, then stood up and walked into the living room where his dad was sitting on the sofa, watching TV and sipping a glass of wine, he looked relaxed and content, Lance felt guilty that he would have to disturb that, with his failures, but he figured that lying about it would only make it worse. The older man looked at him as he sat down on the other side of the sofa. Lance took a deep breath before saying, "I got denied." His dad's face reflected a mixture of concern and disappointment. He tried to hide it, but Lance had already seen it, and he looked down at the floor, waiting for it to swallow him whole. He glanced up as his dad set down his wine glass and said, "Lance, it's okay." Lance let his head fall between his legs before replying, "Dad, it feels hopeless. I'm never going to get accepted." His dad leaned over and placed a hand on his shoulder. "It's going to be okay, Lance. The next one will accept you." Lance looked up at his dad with tears in his eyes and said, "Dad, you said that last time." His dad smiled at him. "And I believe it every time I say it." Lance let his head fall back between his legs and said, "Well, I'm not sure that I believe it." His dad began to rub circles on his shoulder, comforting him as he quietly cried on the couch. They stayed like that for so long that the sun began to set, casting its orange light through the floor-to-ceiling window and painting the white sofa they were on.

Lance let his eyes wander around the room and noticed the glass coffee table, which reflected the orange light from the setting sun. He felt his dad remove his hand from his shoulder before saying, "Son, I think you need a getaway, just to take your mind off things." Lance simply nodded, stood up, and retreated to his room. He flopped onto his bed and pulled out his phone.