A/N. I have never been to Juilliard so forgive me if my information is wrong. This is going to be a 3rd person omniscient story so the POV skips around.
As the seasons bloomed and faded, as all things do, such was the tale of young Sarah Williams.
"Hey Williams, wake up!" Sarah's mandated roommate hollered as she rummaged through the pantry. Looks like today was going to be Ramen noodles and peanut butter sandwich day. Evie sighed in exasperation and habitually swept an annoying lock of pastel pink hair out of her eyes.
"Sarah Williams, you better get your lazy ass out of that bed before I go in there with a pitcher of ice water! You know, they do say that cold showers make you smarter. Wanna test that theory?"
"Nobody says that Evie," came Sarah's measly response, groggy and desperate for another five minutes of rest. She hadn't gotten home until eleven o'clock last night after which she spent two hours revising her English Literature essay and another two and a half studying for her AP Chemistry final. Working the night shift at the Lexington Candy Shop was killing her but she desperately needed the money. Once Sarah's high school graduation party ended and preparations for college were made, Irene had the brilliant idea of practically cutting her off monetarily.
"Robert, it will teach her responsibility and enhance her work ethic if she got a job and actually worked her way through college instead of relying on us to baby her," Irene spoke in hushed tones to Sarah's father after dinner on the eve of her graduation celebration. Sarah had stood silently at the base of the stairs, a whisper of a shadow in the house, no longer a home, that she grew up in. Hurt and betrayal etched onto her otherwise elegantly beautiful features. However, as months passed and her first year of university arrived, Irene's lecture did not stop her father from slipping her an extra twenty dollars here and there for food and other necessities. And maybe a bit on the side for extras.
"WHAT THE FUCK!" Sarah bellowed as the frigid liquid enveloped her being. Obscenities flowed in a steady stream as Sarah thrust the comforter off her pale frame and scrambled out of her bed, only to land in a mass off limbs upon the thin carpet. She lied there a moment, mesmerized by the sporadic rollercoaster her life had turned into. And it all began with one phone call.
FLASHBACK
Her pillow was drenched in her sorrow as Sarah's sobs echoed into the night. An abrupt shout from the dining room downstairs halted her rasping breaths.
"Sarah, you have a call!" Irene's voice annoyed Sarah. Gritting her teeth so hard she was scared they would break, she hollered back.
"Ugh. Tell them to go away. I don't want to talk to anyone right now!"
"Alright. Your loss I suppose. They said they were from Juilliard." Sarah stopped breathing. The next thing she knew was that she had the home phone in her hand and that Irene was on the floor gaping with fury. "Sarah Williams! What the hell is..." Sarah held up her pointer finger in an "in a moment" gesture and raised the large device towards her left ear.
She hesitated. "H-hello?" came her meek response.
"Yes, hello. This is Cecelia Schroeder from the admissions office at Juilliard. I am assured I am speaking to Ms. Sarah Williams?" a woman in formal language yet maintaining a kind tone. Sarah gulped, anxiety coursed through her veins.
"Yes, ma'am."
"Excellent! It seems that there was an error concerning your acceptance into our institution. Apparently, there was a miscommunication and the information within your letter from us was incorrect. I have called to inform you that you have indeed been accepted into our prestigious university. You should receive an updated letter within the week with all of the information required. Congratulations, Ms. Williams and have a wonderful year at Juilliard!" The phone clicked and Sarah was greeted with the dull sound of the dial tone.
END OF FLASHBACK
Grumbling, Sarah slowly repositioned herself onto her feet.
"I hate you," she growled. However, that couldn't be further from the truth. Evie Hammond had been her most trusted and beloved friend since her freshman year at Juilliard. Evie had a presence that attracted both men and women to her flame. Her silken hair was cut in an asymmetrical bob and dyed a gorgeous shade of pastel pink. It was a difficult shade to describe. Perhaps that of a newborn cherry blossom: pure and oblivious to the cruelties plaguing the world. Although, Evie knew all too well of such darkness.
She was an aspiring ballet dancer and was passionate about the arts. She cherished those moments where she could be free. Her dance performances were quite captivating. It was as if nothing else existed. Not a care in the world.
"Well, whose fault is it really?" Evie inquired, raising a single manicured eyebrow. She was always so meticulous about her appearance.
"Okay, fine! I should have listened." Sarah grumbled reluctantly.
"See. Smarter already. Now let's go!" Sarah froze. It was (she glanced at the clock above their door) 7:00 am on a Saturday!
"What the hell, Evie! It's is seven am on a SATURDAY. I should still be asleep right now!" She crossed her arms defiantly.
"Well, ladybug, it seems you have forgotten one tiny thing. You know that family you sort of have? Yeah, them. Well, the step-monster called in order to inform you of their visitation as tomorrow marks your 21st year since you gained freedom from the confines of the birth-giver. Remember that? THEY CALLED LAST WEEK, SARAH!" Oh, shit! Sarah had completely forgotten that her step-mother called. She tended to ignore anything that concerned her.
"Fuck my life."
"Too late for that ladybug. Get your ass in the shower. It's time to get ready!" Sarah was still confused.
"For what?" She questioned.
"It's time to pick up mommy and daddy dearest at the airport."
