Chapter One
It was 7:30 in the morning with the sun only just peeking through the curtains spilling warm morning sunlight onto my mother's countertops. Within the beams of light, I watched as the tiny dust particles danced graciously as I sipped my coffee. The mailman would surely turn up any minute now on his motorbike. I felt so nervous, today was definitely the day I'd get an answer, the answer to my future, whether my father approved or not.
The subtle hum of a motorbike engine awoke me of my deep fascination of the swirling particles. Settling my coffee rather harshly onto the table, I stood from my seat and almost ran to the door. Upon opening our front door, I watched as the postman waved before kicking his bike into gear and sped off to the next house down our little lane. I gave a small smile, before dashing to the small white mail box and raiding the contents. There were four envelopes; a bill for dad, a letter from Aunt Elisa for mum, a cooking catalogue for mum, and an official letter from Avalon Academy. With my heart pounding, I dropped the other three letters, letting them fall to the dewy ground. I took a shaky breath before squeezing my eyes shut.
Please…
I tore open the envelope, too eager to finally have an answer after three months of waiting after applying for my dream degree. Unfolding the paper, the first words I read were; "Dear Tifa, we are excited to announce you have been accepted…". I hugged the paper, not needing to read any more. Tears threatened to leave my eyes, but I squeezed them shut even tighter than before. I did it, I got in.
Unable to contain my excitement I jogged on the spot squealing.
"I did it!" I exclaim, "I actually did it!"
Gathering the other three - now damp - letters from the ground and dashing inside, knocking the door closed behind me, I raced to the kitchen. Mum was already up, now pouring herself a cup of coffee.
"Mum," I said tears gathering my eyes but not letting my smile falter. That was all I needed to say, before she beamed with excitement and crossed the kitchen to embrace me. This was not only my dream, but hers too.
"I'm so proud!" she said kissing my cheek. "Let's see."
We both read the letter from top to bottom grinning. The day I had waited for, for two years had finally arrived, nothing would ever ruin it…or so I thought.
"You're not going," dad said continuing to read the day's paper.
"I'm sorry?" I stammered, aghast. My heart dropped like a stone, was he joking?
"Honey, Tifa has worked so hard for this…" Mum reasoned.
"I don't care, we've been over this before, Tifa," dad responded, his eyes still traipsing over the paper the way he did every morning. "It's not a secure career path, you know this."
"But it's all I've ever wanted," I argued. "You've always known this."
"Yes, but I've never agreed to it. You're not going, that's final." He still continued to read his stupid paper. I began to grow angry with him. This was my day.
"Would you put down that stupid paper!" I yelled. "I have waited for this day for two whole years' dad! So please acknowledge this as an important conversation and look at me!"
He paused, letting his eyes linger on a spot on his page. I'd done it now, whatever line that was initially there, had just been crossed. My expression faltered as he slowly slid his glasses off his nose and settled them onto the table.
"When have we made the impression that you're allowed to talk to us in such a manner?" He stated rather than asked.
"Hon-" mum began to interrupt, but was cut short.
He turned to her then, "she is not going to that academy!"
I swallowed hard, allowing the tears to slip freely down my face, the day that I had waited for so long had now became a day I'd want to forget. My emotions were responsible for what happened next.
"Why is that when one of us have a dream, it's your duty to cut it down?! Mum had the very same dream before I came along, and like me you prevented her from living it! I won't have it dad! I've worked too hard for this!" I screamed, before running upstairs to my room. I let every footfall be heard and slammed my door so hard, I heard every window in the house slightly rattle.