Ambi One Shots

The Future, I'll See You There

By: alecmagnus
august 1

Today's the day.

Amber runs to her computer, opens up the page she's had bookmarked for months, and then blinks, hands poised over the keyboard.

The blank fields of the Common Application stare back at her, as if daring her to write something, anything that could be worthy of it and the schools she's considering applying to.

"Your college essay needs to stand out," the voice of Jefferson High's 11th grade English teacher, Ms. Sheppard, echoes in her head. "Everyone's going to look the same on paper."

It's weird - for so long, the thought of college had been her escape from Shadyside, a way to run from her family's money problems and never look back that it's almost jarring now how close she is to her dreams.

Jolting out of her reverie, Amber glances at the application again. Ideas swirl in her head, but none seem good enough.

At the very least, she reasons, she can start by filling out the personal info section.

october 1

"How are college apps going?"

Amber takes her head out of her hands to see Andi cautiously approach, taking a seat beside her. Andi leans in to kiss her cheek, and she smiles.

"Fine. I'm in a rut at the moment, but I'll be fine," Amber replies, drumming her fingers against the desk. Her half-completed supplemental sits in front of her, the keyboard cursor blinking more aggressively than she'd like.

Andi reads what she's got so far, eyebrows raised and mouth twisted up in a slight smile. "Georgia Tech, huh? That's kind of far."

"Yeah, well," Amber shrugs. "It's my dream school." And it is - she had fallen in love with everything about it the moment she checked out the school website. She's not at the top of the class, but she thinks her grades are decent enough to get in. It's no Ivy, but then again, she doesn't need it to be.

"Why don't you take a break?" Andi suggests, leaning on her shoulder. "You've been working nonstop; you deserve it."

"I will, as soon as I'm done," Amber remarks, typing away as a new idea pops into her head. Unfortunately, it doesn't lead anywhere, and she plops her head on the table, groaning in defeat. Andi slides off her shoulder in surprise.

"Don't worry," Andi reassures her gently, once she's regained her composure. "You're great. They'd be stupid not to accept you."

"But everyone who applies is great!" Amber exclaims, wringing her hands. "The early action deadline is in two weeks. I need it to be perfect. I need-"

"Amber," Andi cuts her off in the middle of her rant. "You'll be fine."

"Are you sure?" Amber asks. If Andi notices the slight tremor in her voice, she doesn't comment on it.

"Of course I am," Andi replies, taking her hand. "Now let's go to the Spoon."

january 20

Her hands are shaking.

She hadn't been able to sleep last night, only succumbing to a fitful doze when the rays of the sun began peeking through the window.

Now it's 3 minutes before, and Amber slowly logs into the portal, eyes glued to the tick, tick ticking of the seconds hand on her clock.

3.

2.

1.

A new notification appears on screen, and Amber restrains herself from shrieking. Trembling, she clicks.