Written. (JB//Complete)

Chapter 29.

Scarlett

       Justin has been trying to get ahold of me all day, trying to get it all out of me. I've been ignoring his texts and declining his calls, and even ignored his knocks and taps he's been making on my bedroom window and door.

And when he screams through the glass, calling my name and throwing out commands for me to open the window or front door, it only makes me hurt even more.

It's so hard to act like he doesn't exist when all he's doing is trying his hardest to see me. Each and every single one of his actions make me want to cry, me feeling controlled and unable to do anything about it. But I won't cry. I can't show anyone that I'm weak, and especailly not James.

I roll out of bed from the position of laying on my stomach, reading another book that I'd had enough of at the moment, and slide it back onto my bookshelf filled with tons of other books that I've already read. I plod out of the room in my cotton shorts and t-shirt, still in my pajamas, and check what my mother is cooking in the kitchen. But before I can ask, she looks at me with a concerned look and asks, "You okay, darling?"

Do I really make it that obvious?

I take a second to nod, taking in her expression.

"Yeah... yeah. I'm fine. Just tired, I guess." I peak over her shoulder to the oven and see there's quite a bit of food being made. "What're you making?"

"Oh, just some stuff I bought after work today..." she says, setting down the wooden spoon, used for what I'm guessing is some kind soup, and walks up to me. "You look stressed. School exams getting to you?"

I weakly smile at her assumptions.

"Yeah. I guess."

Then she pouts in front of me but does her best to smile.

"You're lucky the school year's almost over. You're going to be off and away doing your own life real soon, leaving your mother behind here alone."

She's trying to make me feel guilty. I inwardly shake my head, smiling at her on the outside.

"Mom..."

"You're going to college, you're going to be moving out, you're going to be a full grown woman."

"I know. Don't think about that right now," I chuckle, comfortingly hugging her. She ignores my suggestions and continues blabbering on about my future.

"My little baby's going to be heading off to Harvard..."

My eyes widen and I pull back, looking her in her eyes in disbelief..

"What?"

"You made it into Harvard University." Her smile grows and I know she isn't lying. A wide grin forms on my lips and I squeal in excitement, hugging her again.

"Oh my gosh, I can't believe this!" I shriek. "This is... This is just... unbelievable!"

What a way to make my whole day a million times better.

"I'm so proud of you," my mother says, kissing my forehead.

"I just... Wow," I breathe out.

"I got their email, they seemed astonished by some of your past works in literature," she beams.

"Wow. If they're liking some simple stories, god... They must have been desperate," I laugh. "I just didn't expect this coming."

"You deserve it." My mother cups my cheeks and kisses my forehead once more. "So, you hungry?"

I nod.

"So that's what all this food is for," I laugh.

She winks and heads back into the kitchen, opening the oven and taking out a tray of garlic bread. Then she stirs the pot of soup and sets out a bowl of cheesy broccoli onto the dining table. During our delicious feast, I can't get my mind off of my incredible accomplishment, smiling throughout mouthfuls and chews of my food.