All was calm in the Hooper home. Hoppity, Fillmore and Waldo were all comfortably sat on the couch, clicking through channels on a dial TV though not really paying attention. Just a calm, simple bonding moment.
...that was, until the mail fell through the slot and Hoppity shot up to check it. He came back with two envelopes, eyes shining and wide smile across his face. He grabbed Fillmore's hand and used a claw to open them. He then pulled out the letter inside the blue one.
Waldo sat up, "What is it?"
"My college acceptance letters!"
"Oh!"
"Did you get accepted?" Fillmore chimed in.
"The admissions committee has reviewed your application-!" Hoppity's expression dropped, all happiness draining from his voice, "...we regret to inform you that we are unable to offer you admission to Fail University."
Waldo waved the emotion away with his hand, though Hoppity didn't lose his sadness, dropping the letter.
"Manhattan is too expensive anyway," Waldo said simply, "And Fail University? Hoppity I don't think you'd pass in that place anyway."
"Too good for that place, I bet," Fillmore added with a chuckle. "Open the other one, it might be better!"
Hoppity nodded, "Reviewed your application…. Ugh…."
"Oh no," Waldo muttered.
But Hoppity's expression shifted, and he suddenly jumped up, flapping his arms and firmly clenching the letter in one hand. "I got in! Wossamotta! I got in!"
Waldo stood up too, making a box with his arms around him. "Congratulations!"
Hoppity ran into him in a hug, tears streaming down his face. "I got in…!" he repeated.
"You sure did!"
Fillmore stood and firmly sandwiched Hoppity between them. Waldo let out an uncomfortable noise, stepping back. He coughed.
"Don't choke me before I can see you graduate!" He stepped back and took Hoppity's crying yet smiling face into his hand, wiping away his tears with a sleeve. "Then I guess we're going to Minnesota?"