October.
"Honey? Come downstairs a minute. Your mother and I have some news for you!" I heard my father's voice echo through the halls of the second floor. I groan and read the last sentence of the article I was reading online - a section from the biography of Picasso.
"Yeah? What is it?" I wondered, hopping off the last step and walking into the living room. I froze in my place when I see my mother who was still dressed in her business attire and my father sharing a handshake with an unknown man - both with smiles that look plastic plastered on their faces.
"What's going on?" I question, getting more anxious at the minute. I didn't like the look of this - I've noticed it before. I've been to too many business parties to notice the look in both my parents' eyes, like they had just made a bargain with a high-end corporation.
"Hey sweetie," my dad excitedly greeted me, pulling me in for an awkward side hug before dusting off his blazer. "This is Glenn Magid, he is the Vice President of Harvard University. One of my old high school friends, as well. Used to have green braces and a 'fro, let me tell you. Now look at him!" They both shared a laugh as this Glenn guy gave him a friendly slap on the back, and I tried my best not to grimace.
I never enjoyed how my father talked to me, like I was just one of his clients that he was assigning to a new job role. I loved him, yes, with all my heart, along with my mother, although I'm not sure if the feeling was ever mutual.
I was an only child, but I feel like I have two siblings that bug me and are always put first. Both my parents' jobs.
Glenn extended his arm towards me and I politely shook it, before dropping my hand back to my side and hiding it behind my back to avoid any more uncomfortable salutations.
"Your father here has told me a lot about your education throughout your school years, and I must say I am quite impressed. He called me in last week and bragged all about you. I've never seen a man so proud of his daughter before. I trust this man, right here. I can get in a good word for you, make things easier with payments and scholarships, and all." Glenn exclaimed and I crinkled my nose slightly, earning a glare from my mother. I huffed inwardly, before turning to Glenn. "Thank you." I chimed, a fake grin on my face. "So what's the news?"
"Isn't it already obvious, my dear?" My mother strode towards me and took my hand. "You'll be attending Harvard University, sweetie! Start packing, you're leaving to Boston, Massachusetts in a week!" She placed a piece of clothing over my head and I put it on in confusion, and it happened to be a Harvard University hoodie. Wait, what?
It was like everything froze around me. My eyes widened, staring at my mother and father in utter disbelief. We've already spoken about what I wanted to do in my life, and it definitely wasn't this. It was more of a one-sided conversation now that I think about it, because the only words that came out of my parents' mouths that day were, "That's nice, sweetheart" or "Delightful, dear. Now please pass the fish".
"What?" I uttered, my voice inaudible. "You...You're sending me to Harvard?"
"Well of course, sweetheart!" My dad beamed and I backed away slowly. I felt like my brain was about to explode. "This is an opportunity of a lifetime, and we're only doing what's best for you."
"No," I mumbled, shaking my head repeatedly. The last thing I wanted to do was attend Harvard. My grades from school were excellent, but only because I was practically forced into spending hours and hours studying the top subjects that I was struggling to finish. It was a miracle that I came out alive. If I attended Harvard, I might not survive till the end and I'll be eaten whole. It was too overwhelming.
