Confessions of a High School Supermodel

Chapter 21

21      

After the excitement of getting being mobbed by fans at the mall, the next day at school seemed rather dreary in comparison.  Her teachers seemed determined to pile her with as much homework as possible, and all the high school juniors were in the process of filling out their college applications, which was stressing everybody out.

Maddie had finally texted Evan after she’d gotten home from the mall last night.  She knew a phone call would have been more polite after everything he had done for her, but Bree’s teasing about him liking her had made her feel a bit shy, and a text felt more impersonal.  So before she could overthink it, she hastily wrote out a ‘thank you’ text and hit send.  She didn’t know why she felt so awkward about him all of a sudden!

At school, the students had just finished listening to a speech from their college counselor about the university admissions process.  The air was thick with anxiety as students struggled to scribble notes down. 

“I never realized how much work it was!” Bree complained as they exited the assembly room with the other kids.  “Essays, AP tests, SAT scores, grades, recommendation letters…” she babbled, ticking them off on her fingers.

“I know, it’s really overwhelming,” Maddie agreed sympathetically.  College applications meant she’d have a mountain of work to do on top of her regular schoolwork and her commitments to Victoria’s Secret.  “And we’re not even seniors yet!  We still have, like, a year and a half of high school left!”

“Where are you applying?”  Bree implored, looking panicked. 

“I have no idea!”  Maddie protested, looking down at the huge folder full of brochures in her hands.

“Really?”  Bree bit her lip disappointedly.  “I was hoping I could just apply to wherever you were going.”

Maddie shrugged.  “I seriously have no clue where to apply.  I’m sure my mom probably wants me to go to Harvard or something.”

“Oh, Harvard!” Bree groaned.  “She’s been watching too much TV!”

“What do you mean?” Maddie asked.

“Have you ever noticed how in pretty much every TV show and book and movie with high school students, someone always goes to Harvard?”  she exclaimed, her voice dripping with disdain.

“I mean, take Gossip Girl,” she continued, working herself up into a proper rant.  “You never see anyone studying!  They’re all just shopping and going to parties and sleeping together,” Bree seethed.  “Yet somehow, they all end up in freaking Ivy League schools!” 

“I know, it’s so unrealistic,” Maddie nodded in agreement. “I mean, the chances of getting in are, like, slim to none.”

“They’re practically impossible!” Bree burst.  “Harvard accepts less than one percent of applicants each year!  Not even getting straight A’s your entire life guarantees you’ll get into Harvard.  Remember that girl from last year who won valedictorian- what was her name?  Ivy something.”

“Ivy Chung,” Maddie filled in.

“Yeah, Ivy Chung!  Not even she got into Harvard!”  Bree crossed her arms, her point proven.  “I’m pretty sure she went to USC.”

Maddie nodded.  “You’re right.  Hey, did you ever hear of that one guy who got rejected from Yale—“

“…So he wrote Yale a rejection letter of his own and that’s how he got in?” Bree finished.  “Yup,” she smirked.  “I wish I could do that!”