Blessing in Disguise

Chapter Thirty-Seven

Yunjin

12/2/2020

The morning had begun like any other, with Yunjin scrolling through her phone, half-awake in bed as the soft morning light filtered through her window. She stretched, blinking at the screen as she scrolled mindlessly through her emails, and then—

Her heart stopped.

There it was: an email from Cornell University Admissions, the bold subject line reading, "Congratulations, Yunjin!"

For a second, she could only stare, her mind frozen as the words slowly sank in. But as soon as she clicked open the email, the words "accepted as an Early Decision student" jumped out at her, and a wave of relief and joy washed over her so intensely it left her breathless.

"Oh my god!" she whispered, her hands trembling as she read and reread the email, her eyes welling up as she processed the news. She'd done it. She was in. All the hours she'd poured into her application, all the late nights and the anxiety, it had all been worth it. She was officially a Cornell student.

Her phone slipped from her hands as she jumped out of bed, barely managing to grab her robe as she bolted down the hallway, her feet barely touching the ground. She could feel her heart racing, her entire body buzzing with excitement. She reached the living room, where her dad was reading the newspaper, her mom was enjoying her morning coffee, and her siblings were lounging around on the couch.

"Mom, Dad, everyone!" she practically shouted, the sheer energy in her voice making them all look up, startled. She caught her breath, unable to keep the huge smile off her face. "I got in! I got into Cornell!"

For a second, the room was silent as they processed her words. And then, as if all at once, her family erupted in cheers.

Her dad set down his newspaper with a grin, standing up and crossing the room to pull her into a tight hug. "That's incredible, Yunjin! I knew you could do it!"

Her mom wrapped her arms around them both, her eyes shining with pride. "Oh, sweetheart, we're so proud of you. All that hard work paid off!"

Rachel, who had been lounging on the couch, jumped up with an excited squeal, wrapping her arms around Yunjin's neck. "Cornell, sis! You're going to be an Ivy Leaguer! This is so awesome!"

Yunjin laughed, holding her little sister tightly. "I know, Rach! No more applications, no more essays—it's all done!"

Her younger brother joined the group hug, grinning up at her with admiration. "Does this mean I can come visit you at college now?"

She ruffled his hair with a laugh, pulling him closer. "Absolutely, little bro. You're welcome anytime."

The relief was almost overwhelming. The burden of applications and decisions had lifted, leaving her feeling lighter than she'd been in months. Her family's pride and love only amplified that happiness, wrapping her in a warmth that made her heart swell. They'd supported her through every step, and knowing that she'd made them proud filled her with a sense of accomplishment like nothing else.

They all settled into the kitchen, her mom immediately offering to make her favorite breakfast to celebrate. She was still in disbelief as they talked, her family's laughter and joy filling the room as they chatted about her future at Cornell. Her dad was already making jokes about needing to get himself a Cornell sweatshirt, and Rachel was asking if they could decorate her room in red and white. Each question, each plan, made it all feel so real.

But there was still one more person she needed to tell, someone who had been with her through every high and low. This news was too big, too important, to share over text or a call. She wanted to see the look on his face when she told him.