An Inconvenient Bet

Chapter Twenty Nine

Graduation day turned out to be the highlight of my year and as we one by one collected our diplomas, I couldn't help but feel the smile grow and grow on my face.

Noah and I had waited all year for this moment and as we left the stage side by side, I knew that despite everything that had happened since our dad had left; together we ended up being the best team. We had never needed our dad, not really, as long as we had each other we would be able to achieve anything. As I looked out amongst my friends and family, I realised I didn't even miss his face in the crowds.

My phone buzzed as it lit up with a text message; mum had text Noah and I to inform us that letters had arrived and our eyes met simultaneously. I immediately grabbed my keys as Noah and I gave each other a look.

"College letters are here," I said and I felt Carter's hand tighten in mine.

"Everyone meets back at The Bridge in fifteen," Aria announced and before anyone could say anything else, she had swiftly turned around and disappeared towards her car.

Noah crossed his fingers and I did the same, tapping them against his and I took a deep breath in. The nerves were racing throughout my body and I knew just by looking at Noah that he felt the same. Carter's hand was still firm in mine and as I looked up at him, I could see the anticipation in his face.

"You're going to do great," I said to Carter.

He gave me a smile, but it didn't quite reach his eyes, "I hope so," he replied.

Within the next twenty minutes everyone was cramped around a corner table in The Bridge. Everyone included; Jayden, Dylan, Carter, Noah, Aria, me and even Ashley had come along with her brother.

We were all clutching onto numerous letters from the various colleges we had applied to; some big letters and some small, but that didn't mean anything or so I was hoping because I was holding two letters in my hand and they were both small. One from Russleton and one from California State.

"This one is for you too," Carter said, holding out an envelope to me.

As I took it, I noticed Bridgeside Academy's logo and my name printed on the front, my eyes flicked between his and Noah's in anticipation.

"What's this?" I asked, even though I knew exactly what it was.

"We knew you didn't think your application would be good enough," Noah started.

"So, we sent it off for you," Carter added as he took my hands in his.

I sat there shocked looking between the letter in my hands and at both of them. I could feel the anxiety beginning to creep up on me at the thought that I might actually have been accepted into Bridgeside Academy. But that was soon replaced with the overwhelming realisation that the likelihood of me being accepted was unlikely. I knew that what I had written for my submission paper was good, but it definitely wasn't Bridgeside worthy and not compared to whomever else would be applying.

I tucked the letter underneath the others deciding to save it for last. I could feel Carter's eyes on me watching my every movement. I turned to him giving him a smile attempting to push the nerves back down.

"Right guys on the count of three we just start opening them all, we might as well jump right in then sit around wondering whether we're going to college or not," Aria announced.

"Russleton first?" Noah suggested looking at me.

"Russleton first," I agreed as my fingers hooked underneath the paper ready to open it.

"Ok, three, two, one," Aria said loud enough that we could all hear and within those three seconds everyone had scrambled to open their first letter, cheering as they got accepted.