Reese or Reece [turtle slow updates]

i. admittance

i //

The letter came today, the letter freaking came today. I kept saying it in my head.

My hands shook ever so slightly as I gently tugged at the envelope. Everyone in my family had their eyes on me, my parents and surprisingly, my brother. He never cared about anything that was related me. It was like I didn’t even exist to him.

What if I didn't get in? I question. That would just be so stupid. I got nearly perfect on my SATs. I basically ruined my entire senior year just trying to get into this university. Spending all my free-time at volunteering centers was my idea of an exciting Friday night and weekend so i can get enough credits. Even my friends, who were apparently nerds, didn't do that. If I didn't get in, my life would be ruined. I might sound horribly spoiled or you might think that I'm a terrible nerd, but this is probably the most nerve-wracking moment of my entire life. 

"Just open the freaking letter," my 20 year old brother, Simon, reached over to try and take the envelope from me. Unfortunately for him, I was faster and dodged him.

"What do you think you're doing?" I snapped nervously, but annoyingly at the same time.

"Honey, could you please open the envelope? Everyone is dying to see it. Even Henry is becoming impatient," she gestured towards our eight-year-old German Shepherd. 

I looked down. Mom was right. Henry was staring at me with his big brown eyes. His dark brown chocolate coloured tail wagged back and forth, back and forth. We got Henry when he was just a puppy and ­I’ve always been so emotionally attached to him that I’m afraid it would be difficult for me to adjust to a life without Henry, that is, if I even get into Yale in the first place.

"Argh!" I said, agitated as I tore the envelope open. I couldn't it take it anymore. Another second and I would've just had an accident. Yeah, as disgusting as that sounds, it's true. I tend to lose control of my...area when I'm nervous. 

The contents of the letter came pouring out like the rain dripping down a car window. 

Everyone froze, the moment of truth was about to happen. The main letter that held my future was right on top of the entire pile.

Simon and I looked straight at each other in the eye for a brief second - a Waters family stare-down tradition - before we both lunged at the letter.

I closed my eyes after we both stood back to our original positions. Then I opened my left eye just a bit to see the glistening white piece of paper in my palm.

"Yes!" I cried out triumphantly. I had succeeded, but then again. It was my letter, so I should be the one that read it. Although Simon acted like he didn’t care about me I knew deep down he cared, even if it was just a little. He always wanted to be the first to know about my results, like for my SAT results for example; he just had to tear the envelope right in front of my own eyes. Being short sure does have its flaws.

I slowly peeled it open and read the first line.

Congratulations Reece Waters...

I clamped a hand over my mouth and squeezed my eyes shut. That was enough. I didn't need to read more to understand what the letter was about. I was just a little bit shocked they spelled my name with a "c" instead of a "s'. But that didn't matter at all. All I cared about right now was that I got in. I got into Yale. My first choice university. I wanted to get into Dartmouth, Stanford, and yeah, I applied for some other universities in Europe but they weren’t exactly my first choice because I didn’t want to be too far away from my family.

"Why are you crying?" My mum's voice sounded very concerned.

"I-I got in!" I squealed as I jumped around whipping my long blonde hair back and forth.