wonderlani

Chapter 35

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January. I sighed as I finished my final acceptance letter for university; it was from Julliard. They saw my performance on the X-Factor and personally wanted me to attend their school. Bragging rights, but it's a full four-year scholarship... I'm not complaining. I rested my hands on top of my head as I let out another deep sigh; the tension in my shoulders lightens.

 After we came home, I spent two weeks in my room, just crying. My brother left me pancakes and a card with a sweet message every day, hoping one day he'd catch me coming out. My dad had been tied up with X-Factor lawyers about hiding my mental evaluations, but Nicole took that over. I overheard him on the phone.

"You and your organization did this to her! I trusted you, I told you not to hurt her, and she's been in her room, crying her fucking eyes out!" Yeah. That would have made for a great dinner conversation. 

The girls came by every day between 3 and 5 PM, our practice time before I went away for a bit. They would sit outside of the door, banging drums and making guitar noises as Florida would hum through my solos. I smiled with my back rested against the door. 

It's over. Guess I could apply for school. I went to work after that thought floated in my mind; I filled out a few applications and used my reels from X-Factor to apply for the theatre programs. My dad's vacation time was almost over, so heading over to America for school made the most sense; I didn't know when the vacation time would be over, however. 

And now we're here... Julliard wants me! Me?! To attend their school, full ride! 

"Thank goodness for Plan B, I guess," I mumbled to myself as I looked over the letter again. I had sent an email to the admission office, asking for a week or two to decide. The woman took down a note and agreed to the terms. I rested my head back on the pillow when I heard a soft knock on the door. 

"Come in," And the door creaked open. Jeremy's big afro poked in first, then the rest of his face followed. I tilted my head more with a smile. He returned the smile back as he walked into the room. 

"Nice to see you smiling and not crying," I nodded, and we shared a laugh, "There's a lady downstairs to see you, Pop said to come and get you," 

"Is this life or death?" 

Jeremy smacked my foot hard, "Do you think I'd be up here calm if it was," He questioned with a huff. I rolled my eyes and kicked the back of his head. He ducked under it and grabbed my ankle, squeezing it gently in his hand, "Come on down, Hot Cake, seriously. She ain't leavin' till she sees you, please," Jeremy pleaded. I sighed and pushed myself up off the bed with his help.

As we hopped downstairs, I froze on the final step. My dad sat across from a blonde-headed woman with a bright pink jacket and a nasal voice; oh no, oh no! I stepped down on the floor as Jeremy followed my lead. He grabbed my hand and guided me over to the side of the couches. 

"Got her, can I go," Jeremy asked. Pop nodded, and Jeremy disappeared out the front door. I sat down next to my dad as I clasped my hands in front of me. 

Ashley sat across from us with a huge smile on her face, "Harriet! Sweetheart, it's so nice to see you again! How's everything been?" Fucked up.

"Great," I mumbled. 

Ashley nodded, "That's great, I'm happy to hear that," She sat back more on the couch, picking up a briefcase. Her hands had a soft tremble as she took out the paperwork from the case, "So now that you're here, I'll cut to the chase. The X-Factor wants you to come back and tour the UK with the other talent!"