Note: If you want to see what Kat, my OC, looks like, go here -
Chapter 1
Enter the Dragon
Kat had heard the "it doesn't end with high school graduation" speech...several times. But she never thought much of it until she got her acceptance letter back from Monsters University. Her parents were thrilled, and why wouldn't they be? She had exceptional grades in high school, an excellent transcript, and she had achieved two scholarships that would cut down tuition costs by at least 1/3 or the original price. But none of that seemed to quench the fire in the pit of her stomach that made her forehead sweat.
"Kat. You ok back there?" a strong masculine voice shook her out of her daydream. Her father had glanced in the rear-view mirror and must've seen the worry on her face. "You look like you've just seen a human child outside your window." he chuckled.
"Oh, dear. Are you feeling sick, sweetie?" That worried feminine voice had to belong to her mother. "Maybe she should enroll in the spring, Matt." her mom said to her father, who was shaking his head and rolling his eyes.
"Nonsense, Anna Belle. She just has the freshman flutters is all." her dad soothed. At this, Kat had to smile. Her dad always knew what was going on in her head, and she loved it when he took to her defense against her worrisome mother. "There, see? There's that beautiful smile." her dad chuckled when Kat glared playfully at him through the rear-view mirror, keeping that smile all the while. But the playful look was soon replaced with the worried look again, keeping eye contact with her dad in the rear-view. "You'll be just fine, honey. I promise." Kat almost forgot where she was when he said that. She felt like she was 10 years old again, riding her bike for the first time. Her dad had said those exact same words to her before she took her first ride.
"Katniss, are you listening?" her mom's distraught voice interrupted her thoughts once again, and forced Kat to nod quickly and roll her eyes, which made her dad stifle a chuckle. "Now, as I was saying, don't forget to write. And stay away from those 'bad boys'. I will send your father straight down here and he will take care of things if I ever hear of you 'goofing around' with them." her mother's stern voice warned.
"Yes, mom. I know you will." Kat finally spoke, her voice full of sarcasm. But she fully intended to obey her mom on that particular subject. She didn't find much interest in bad boys either.
"You bet your bottom dollar, I will." her mother warned again. It was always so amusing to hear her mother's little sayings. It was always good for a smile. "Now, keep in touch, won't you? I want a letter every week!" her mom's voice was filled with sorrow and pride at the same time, drawing an eye roll from Kat once more.
"Yes, mother." Kat answered curtly. They had been talking for so long that Kat hadn't realized where they were. The car had stopped moving. They couldn't be there already, could they?! Kat's heart jumped to her throat, making her swallow hard as she forced her head to look out the opposite back-seat window. There it was. Monsters University in its full glory. OK, she thought, I'm not scared... I'm terrified! Her stomach felt like hitting the eject button right then and there, but she forced herself to swallow.
"Here we are. Now, Kat, I want you to know that no matter what happens, you can always count on the fact that we are just a phone call away. Ok? Never worry about not having anyone to talk to, because we will always be right here." her father soothed. Kat couldn't help but let a tear slip down her cheek. She hugged him around the back of his driver's seat, squeezing tightly and never wanting to let go. Her mother's arms soon followed, hugging around Kat's own arms and giving a gentle squeeze, tears rolling down her mom's own cheeks. Kat could've sworn she saw her father's eyes tearing up, but none escaped. She never thought she's see the strongest man she's ever known cry. "We love you, sweetheart. Don't you ever lose sight of that, you hear me?" he said with firmness and compassion at the same time.
"Yes, Daddy. I love you guys so much." Kat said, her voice threatening to catch in her throat. She finally let go and let out a sigh of relief. She reached for her door handle, looking at her parents' faces one last time. Her mother was still crying, but she wore a loving smile. Her father was smiling warmly at her, and he gave her a small nod that said, "You can do it". With a final deep breath, she pulled the handle, opening the door. She stepped out of the car and turned to face the giant campus entrance. She grabbed her bag out of the trunk of the car and pushed it shut. She walked up under the archway to the entrance path and turned to face the car one more time.
"Show them what you're made of, sweetie." her dad said out the window, her mother giving one approving nod. Kat replied with a firm look accompanied by a smile and gave her own nod. She waved until the car pulled off the curb and out of view. When she could no longer see the car, she turned to face the arch that lead to the next four years of her life. She picked up her bag and let out one final sigh.
"Enter the dragon." she said at the end of her sigh, stepping under the arch.