Ace of Hearts

1

Students rush through the hallways with smiles on their faces. Each of them are too excited at the prospect of another school year ending to notice the introvert lost in the chaos of her own mind. The package in my hands feels like it was crafted from steel, mostly from my thoughts and the symbolic weight it carries with it.

My nails are down to nothing more than stubs, and I find myself continuing to bite them in frustration. Nevertheless, I shove the package into my backpack and shove my way through the bustling crowd with my head down. If my mother knew that I was about to skip AP Chemistry, she would have my feet glued to my bedroom floor--even without knowing the contents of my bag. "Ooh, are you finally being a little rebel?" A familiar voice cheers quietly as they swing an arm over my shoulder.

"No, I just need some time to figure out what I'm going to say to her. Plus, I won't be able to focus on anything Miss Holloway says until I do." Jade gives me a sympathetic smile as she pulls me into a half hug. "Do you know anywhere we can hide out for a bit? I really have to figure this out."

"Sometimes you act like you have no idea who you're talking to." She laughs as she pulls me out of the main school building. "So, what's the plan? I mean your mom has to know that you're graduating sometime before you get your diploma or the cards start pouring in."

"You think I don't know that?" I question as a fresh way of goosebumps rise on my skin. "Luckily, my dad is going to be back on Sunday. So if anything goes wrong, he'll be there to help calm her down. The main question I have is how to remind my tiger mom, who has had my whole life planned out, that I bypassed a whole grade and am graduating early."

"Wouldn't she be happy? I mean, this is great for you. Plus, it looks amazing on a college application." She sighs as she brushes back a piece of her perfect, nearly-black hair from her eyes. "Wait, are you still considering that gap year?"

My eyes flicker around the stairwell and anywhere they can find as I meekly nod. When I first heard that my extra curricular activities and excessively hard work earned me the chance to retest my status at school, I was thrilled. The first thoughts that came to my head were memories of all the adventurous dreams my dad has filled my head with. Dreams of once again seeing Europe, hopping on a train until I hit the next coast, and finding all the things out of reach of this town.

Of course, it all became more solidified when the test results pushed me ahead another year, which landed me in the same class as my best friend, Jade. That's when the dream didn't seem so far fetched and strange. It felt like if I pushed myself and reach for it--it would be here.

My dad thought the same thing. Until we remembered--my ambitious mom. She would always be pushing me to be like her--except better. So a year off from my education is simply a waste of time to her.

"It's all I've been wanting this past year, Jade. Every mid-night study session, excitement over good grades, page of meticulous notes, and second of hard work was me pushing myself to convincing her I earned it. I've worked my butt off for as long as I can remember, and all I want is one glistening moment of freedom. A moment when I chose where to go, who to be, and what I do before I nail myself down to a career for the rest of my life. I know, it's stupid, but it's a part of me."

"Lee, I'm your best friend, and I would never call you stupid. In fact, I'll punch anyone who calls you that, even it meant breaking a nail." Her chuckles carries as we leave the cramped stairwell and into the open air. "Your mom can't see it, but you're just like your dad. All the summer road trips, book obsessions, and imaginative ideas are what tie you two together.

"Unfortunately, that's not something you share with her. Instead, you two are both stubborn, determined, and intelligent people. She loves you, Lea. If you can get it through to her that this is something you need to do and make her see how important it is. I'm sure she'll understand."