Rating/Warning(s)/Note(s): T, Shadows
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Prompt: Clever, never, sever
While I didn't consider myself Dartmouth material, the request for application did spur me on to begin applying to colleges. When my classmates asked where I was applying I told them about the local schools, the ones where I was sure I'd be accepted, but didn't mention the request. After all, if it was bogus then fewer people would be laughing at my naiveté.
Turns out I was in for quite a surprise. A month after the application went into the mail a packet, thicker than the first, arrived at my house. It sat, unopened, on the table until Charlie came home. Dinner was chicken enchiladas, something that required attention and time and could hopefully distract me from the mystery in the kitchen.
Naturally, Charlie spied it as soon as he walked in. "Is there a reason this hasn't been opened?"
"Fear," I said, my hands trembling as I poured the sauce and sprinkled on the cheese. He just grunted and shook his head as he ripped into it. One quick read and he was smiling, so I put dinner into the oven and took the cover letter from him.
Dear Miss Swan,
We are pleased to welcome you to Dartmouth University. You are currently registered with a major in English Literature.
Enclosed you will find information on housing. Please take some time to review your options and note that we have assigned you to The Choates cluster, Little Hall, as it serves first-year, substance free students. If you would prefer to live elsewhere, please contact us immediately.
You have also been awarded the Pacific Northwest Trust scholarship. Your tuition, fees, housing and meals have already been paid. Any and all books and supplies will also be paid, please present the enclosed card to the cashier when checking out. This scholarship comes with a stipend of $5000 per semester. The enclosed card works as a debit card for your expenditures. Note that books and supplies are deducted from a separate account and do not affect the total paid to you by the stipend.
Please contact the registrar to accept both your admittance and the scholarship. We look forward to seeing you in the fall.
Sincerely,
Dr. Kim
University President
"If that's a joke, it's a clever one," Charlie said, rereading the letter over my shoulder. "Send in the acceptance of admission and housing, see what happens. Must say I'm happy with the idea of you going to Dartmouth."
I groaned. "Dad, please don't tell anyone where I'm going."
Shaking his head he went to sit down again. "Are you planning on severing ties with everyone here? I know you didn't form any really strong friendships…"
"I'll tell a few people, once I know it's real, but until then I want to keep it quiet. Okay?" He nodded and moved the packet off the table as I set the enchiladas down on it. "I'll send in the forms tomorrow. Promise." Thankfully that was enough to get him to drop it for the rest of the evening.
School was surreal the next day. Seemed everyone was getting their acceptance letters and were comparing notes. Mike and Jessica were excited since they were both going to USC. Angela and Ben got theirs to University of Washington. All the others who were going on to college piped up to throw in where they were going as well. It was Eric who noticed I hadn't said anything.
"How about you, Bella? Haven't you heard from anywhere?" he asked just before chomping down on a greasy fry.
"I've only just recently applied to a few places," I hedged.
"Haven't heard from any of them?" Lauren asked.
It was her tone that sent me over the edge. Despite all my reservations about not telling people in case it was a big hoax, my ire rose and the words were out of my mouth before I realized what I was saying. "Only Dartmouth. I've got a full-ride scholarship, including housing and a stipend."
If a cricket chirped it would sound loud in the silence that met my declaration. The faces around the table all registered the shock they felt. I'd never felt so embarrassed in my entire life. Walking into the school and being stared at wasn't as bad as this. Lauren was the first to break the silence. "Really? Full-ride? I didn't think your GPA was that good." This time her tone was one of awe.
My entire body deflated. "It's not. I don't know why they asked me to apply, but they sent three letters. Three! Along with the offer for a scholarship, so I had to send it in. I just got my acceptance yesterday."
"Wow, Dartmouth," Eric said, smiling slightly. "That's really great. I'm thrilled for you."
"Thanks, Eric," I said with a smile, grateful for his support. The bell sounded right then, relieving me from the stress of being the center of attention. Eric sidled up next to me, taking my bookbag to carry it to class for me. I could see the hope in his eyes and didn't want to deal with it, so just trained my eyes down the hall in avoidance.
When we reached my classroom he handed back my bag, taking a second to brush my hair off my shoulder before sliding the bag into place. He jerked his hand away when we heard what sounded like a mountain lion growling at the end of the hall, but seeing nothing turned his attention back to me.
"So, um, I'm going to MIT, which is only a few hours drive away from Dartmouth. Would you like to meet up while we're there?" Somehow I didn't think he was asking me to date him seven months from now, and his next question confirmed that. "We could go to the movies and the like now and see if we want to hang out then."
A chill ran up my spine as a feeling of menace came from the direction of the growl. Only, it didn't seem to be directed at me, but rather directed in front of me. Looking down the hall I could see a boy I didn't recognize. Actually, only his bronze hair, and I assumed it belonged to someone male because it was easy to make out over the tops of everyone else's head.
Not wanting to hurt Eric's feelings I gave him the best answer I could. "We hang out at lunch now, Eric. I'm sure it won't be any different this fall. We can bring friends and meet up if you like."
He seemed to get the message since his shoulders slumped. Putting on a brave smile he nodded. "Sounds great," he said, stepping back to put some distance between us. "I'll see you around."
When I turned to go into the classroom I looked again for the bronze hair, but it was gone. Oddly, that left me feeling both at a loss and a sense of relief. From the corner of my eye I saw another shadow, but where most of the other shadows were moving along with the students they belonged to, this one was completely still. With a shiver of fear I hurried into the class and took my seat.
Poor Eric...
BTW, Dr. Kim actually is the president of Dartmouth, and Little Hall in the Choates complex is substance free (I'm assuming that means no smoking or drinking). I figured it would be good to get a few things factual.
Have a lovely evening!
