No Filter

Chapter XXII (22)

I hold my mom's arm tightly as I lead her inside the house. Troy closes the door behind us, carrying the mail in his hands. I help my mom walk pass the kitchen to the living room. I set her down gently and take a seat next to her.

"There you go," I said.

"Thank you, mija," she says. She touches my cheek and caresses it. "I'm good now."

"I hope so," I said. "Make sure you don't move a lot. And don't lean forward or backward."

She pats my hand roughly. "I get it," she says. "The doctor told me."

"I just want to make sure you're comfortable," I said, "and that nothing is hurting."

"Relax, Ally," Troy says. "Your mom is doing fine."

I nod my head.

"Alright, you kids leave me be," my mom says. She leans against the couch. "I need to rest."

I stand up, and Troy and I exit the living room and enter the kitchen. I look at the stack of mail on the dining table. I rummage through them and found a letter from Atlantic University. My heart raced as my hands shake. This could be my acceptance letter from the school. If I do get in, I would be super happy. Words wouldn't even be able to describe my joy.

"Look," I said to Troy. I wave the letter in front of him. I release a breath, nervous. "This could be it. My whole life will depend on this."

"Don't stress. You're going to get in," he says. "You deserve it, and you worked hard for it. They'll be stupid if they don't accept you."

I nod my head and look back at the letter. My hands kept shaking. I couldn't get a grip of the envelope. Either way, I flip the envelope over and unravel the flap. I tore the flap and pull out the letter. Chills run down my spine.

I couldn't do it. I couldn't read the letter. I was too scared to get rejected from the only school I only wanted to attend.

I hand the letter to Troy, trying not to tremble. "Here," I said, "I can't read it. I'm too nervous and anxious."

"You're overthinking," He says, taking the letter. He creases his brows as he begins to read the letter. His face expressed confusion and sadness, and I grew more nervous. I begin to pick on my nails and bite my bottom lip. He lifts his eyes after a while, keeping the same expression. He allowed me to snatch the letter out of his hand, and I begin to read the fine print.

Dear Allyson B. Hernandez,

We are glad to inform you that you have been accepted at Atlantic University.

I stop immediately. Only those words were all I needed. I look at Troy. I nudge his arm, and he yelps at the pain, rubbing the spot. "You little liar!" I exclaim.

"I didn't lie," He rebuttals, "I just wanted you to read it yourself."

"Well," I begin, "I can't believe I got in!" I jump a little. "This is amazing."

"You deserve it," Troy says, rubbing his arm still. It reminded the times I would nudge Liam. And he would let me.

Liam!

I have to tell Liam. He is going to be so happy.

I turn to Troy and said, "Stay here with my mom. I have to tell Liam this."

I give Troy a peck on the lips and rush out of the house. Standing in front of the door, I spot Liam, in his sleeveless, gray hoodie, doing his Sunday jog on the sidewalk. He was going west. I slip on my tennis shoes and chase after him. I had to pick my pace because he was a faster runner than me. I full on sprinted, and he begins to slow down once I came close. I leap off the sidewalk and jump on his back. My arms wrapped around his neck while my legs wrapped around his waist. I feel his sweat on my skin, but it didn't bother me as much.

He chuckles and pulls out an earpiece. "What is this for?" He asks.

I lean down by his ear and whisper, "I have something to tell you."

He angles his head and looks at me on the side. "What is it?" He asks.

I pointed back to my house. "Take us over yonder," I said.

He adjusts my weight on his back and takes us over to the front porch of my house. I jump off of him, and we face one another. "Now, what is it that you want to tell me?"

"Come inside first," I said.

He shakes his head and pointed to his clothes. "No, I'm not dressed."

I roll my eyes playfully. "It's alright," I said. "My mom would probably want to see you."

"Tell me first, though," he says.

I nod my head and calm myself before I blurt, "I got accepted to Atlantic University."

His eyes widen with joy. His lips form a smile. He replies, "Wha...that's..."

I chuckle at his loss of words. He laughs and picks himself up. "I'm really happy for you," he says, giving me a warm smile afterwards. "You deserve it." He takes in a breath and then swallowed. "I'm really happy for you." He opens his arms with nothing else to say. I wrap my arms under his and give him a tight hug. His warmth fueled me up, and I feel like the happiest person right now.

Our embrace soon ended, and we turn to the house. He opens the door for me, and I thank him as I walk by. He follows behind me and closes the door.