My long, thin fingers tore feverishly through the envelope, nearly ripping the letter inside to shreds. I tucked my curly, red hair behind my ear, pushing it away as my green eyes excitedly skimmed the letter, reading over and over again the content. My five-foot stature was nothing compared to my speed and agility. My name was Clarissa Morgenstern, and I was the point guard for the basketball team at my small Ohio school. I squealed and clapped, jumping frantically up and down, my older brother eyeing me warily, completely prone to my happy dance. He frowned, a slight crease forming between his dark, deep-set eyes. "Did you put sugar in your cereal again?" he asked seriously. I had in fact been known to do that sometimes. I shook my head from side to side quickly, returning my eyes to the letter to read it again. "Seriously, sis, what's this about?" I was at a loss for words. Even the first few lines left me stunned.

Dear Miss Morgenstern:

We are pleased to inform you that you have been recruited to Prescott High School because of

your outstanding athletic abilities on the basketball court. We would be pleased if you would

join our school for your next year of schooling, sophomore year, and take part in our basketball

program. Your GPA is exceptional, and we look forward to seeing you around campus.

Prescott had the best basketball program in all of the United States. I shoved the letter into Jonathan's face, squealing happily in his ear as I did so. He shied away and glared at me. I continued smiling, my freckled cheeks stretched to the max. "Read it! Read it!" I chanted excitedly. His charcoal eyes returned to the letter, his silvery white hair falling into his face. He really did need a haircut.

"Did you read it? Huh? Did you?" I asked as he handed the letter back to me. He shrugged, and I immediately stopped bouncing. "What?" I asked, putting on my best pouty face. His dark eyes looked into my green ones.

"Um," he stalled. I groaned. I wasn't going to like this. "Prescott is an all-boy's school," he pointed out, apologizing quickly as he saw my face fall into a real pout. "Dad probably won't let you go." I scoffed. Daddy loves me.

"Watch me work my magic," I said, dropping one eyelid in a slow wink. He sighed loudly, turning away and plopping onto the weathered couch. I laughed quickly, crossing the dated living room and going through the archway into an even more dated kitchen.

"Daddy?" I called quietly, seeing him busy on his laptop at the island. Valentine Morgenstern looked up at me, with the same dark, seductive eyes my brother possessed. He could make you believe whatever he wanted you to believe with those eyes. His metallic hair was clipped tightly to his scalp in a short buzz cut. I reached the counter and began tapping my fingernails nervously on the laminate countertop.

"Yeah, Clary?" he asked, looking back at his laptop. This was a good sign. His thick eyelashes covered his irises, not allowing me to see them. This was good. This meant I couldn't be persuaded.

"Daddy, I got into a basketball program, and I really, really want to go." Valentine's eyes stayed glued to the glowing screen of his computer.

"Oh, yeah? Is it a summer program?" he asked kindly, still absorbed mostly in his work. He was a lawyer, hence the easy persuasion and successful career. I tapped my fingers again. I always thought it sounded like the song played when people in movies are riding horses.

"No, it's a boarding school. I was recruited." Valentine smiled, typing quickly on his keyboard, his long, sure fingers creating perfectly rhythmic strokes, no mistakes being made.

"That's my girl." My dad had taught me to dribble and shoot a basketball when I was in third grade. He'd taught my brother, Jon, too, but Jonathon preferred more contact sports, like football and hockey. "Where is it?" I sucked in a breath, knowing this question would have to be answered, but regretting rushing in here so fast and forgetting to plan.

"Prescott," I mumbled, biting my lower lip.

"Huh?" I let out a long slow breath.

"Pre-scott," I annunciated, saying it as if it were two words instead of one. My dad looked up at me, his shadowy eyes focusing on my face. "I know it's an all-boy's school, but I've been recruited! And I would really, really like to go, and I think it's a great opportunity to improve on my basketball skills and excel in school and—"I rambled. My dad finally cut me off.

"I think it would be great if you went. We shouldn't let an opportunity like this go to waste." He smiled at me, his cheeks creasing and laugh-lines showing. He walked around the counter and collected me in a hug. Over his shoulder I could see Jon leaning against the wall, shaking his head and smiling slightly. I winked at him again, and he rolled charcoal eyes in return.

"What's this lovely party about?" my mom, Jocelyn Morgenstern, previously Jocelyn Fray, asked as she entered the room.

My dad beat me to the answer. "Clary got accepted into Prescott!" he cheered. My mother smiled knowingly, and my brother gave me a thumbs-up. They both came and joined the group hug.

Jonathon whispered in my ear, "I told mom. You know she's the only one who could get dad to ever change his mind." I thanked him quietly, stealing a glance at my mom. Her green eyes, the ones I had inherited, glittering with joy as she wrapped her family in a hug. Her curly red hair bouncing with laughter, and her dainty pink lips turned into a smile while her delicate artist fingers gently rubbed our backs. I smiled and leaned in deeper to the hug, relishing in the moment, knowing that next month, I would be at Prescott.