SBI family AU

Part #16-The Letter

They were all sitting around the dinner table, looking at the letter in front of Techno. He could almost feel their attention switching from the letter to him.

Tommy let out a groan and laid his head down, "Are you going to open it or what?"

Techno hesitantly took the letter into his hands. He looked at Phil, a wide smile on his face.

"Techno, just open the stupid Harvard letter," Wilbur said earning a jab from Phil.

Techno took a deep breath and opened it, quickly scanning over it. He reread it a couple times over before looking at the three eager faces, "I got accepted... I got... accepted."

He watched their faces light up and they all jumped up to hug him, shower him in praise and love, but Techno felt numb to it all. He was running numbers in his head, numbers he couldn't bear to think about.

He wanted to go so bad. He could picture himself at the school, the numerous amounts of books, the late night studying, everything he ever dreamed off. Yet, his gaze went to each of their faces. He'd be drowning them in debt, ruining their chances at a good life.

"... I can't take it."

"What?" They all looked at him confused, making his dreams crack.

"Techno, look at me," Phil placed a hand on Technos shoulder, "You have to. This is a massive opportunity, you can't pass this up."

"Tommy, can you go get my laptop," Techno silently hoped that Tommy would get the hint.

"I- fine," Tommy grumbled and went upstairs.

Wilbur started, not waiting to care if Tommy was gone, "Techno, you're mental if you turn this down. This is such a big opportunity for you!"

Techno slammed his fist down, "Don't stay that!" Wilbur jumped, causing him to sigh and close his eyes. Rubbing his fist and taking a minute to recollect himself, he continued "I can't go. It's too expensive and unfair to you guys. If you're struggling with my student debt, then how will we ever pay Tommy's? Or anything in general."

"Don't focus on us, we can-" Phil cut Wilbur off by placing a hand on his shoulder, Technos attention drawing to him.

"It's expensive, yes, but we can manage. We've always managed," Phil gave him a smile, "Besides, you'll get a pretty big job after you get out of college, right?"

Techno scoffed, "We can't just hope that everything will be ok, Dad. And I don't want to bank on luck for how fast I'll get a job afterwards. I'm not going, I'll just go to the community college down the road, it's fine."

Wilbur went to start but stopped with Technos cold gaze. Phil just sighed and gave another smile, "Then we'll support you in that decision."

Techno nodded and stood, taking the paper and his broken dreams to his room with him.