Christmas came and went and the weeks rolled by and turned into a month. Then another. It was the beginning of March when the first bit of good news came to our group of friends.
"So it's official!" said Kristy with a beaming smile as we all enjoyed our off campus lunch at the mall food court. "We're both going to be attending Stoneybrook University!"
"Dorm-mates!" said Mary Anne. "I wouldn't have it any other way."
"That's so great, you guys," said Stacey.
I chimed in, "it really is. I'm so happy for the both of you."
Kristy then sighed and said, "Watson is a little bummed about Pennsylvania but me getting that softball scholarship was a sign. I know Watson would have paid for me to go to Wharton but I don't want him to."
Stacey then asked Mary Anne, "Have you given any thought to what you want to major in?"
Mary Anne answered, "I'm not sure yet. I've always liked the idea of being a teacher but we'll see."
"You'd be perfect for that," replied Stacey.
"How about you, Stace? Have you heard from any of your schools yet?" Mary Anne asked.
Stacey looked down, shook her head and said, "no, not yet. I'm getting a little worried."
Kristy said, "oh, don't be. I would imagine in the next few weeks, everyone will be getting their acceptance letters."
Being in the same predicament as Stacey, I added, "gosh, I hope so. I haven't gotten one response yet either."
Kristy must have had some weird psychic sense because after Stacey dropped me off at home that afternoon, I checked the mail and saw an envelope from Rhode Island. I waved my hand, trying to get Stacey's attention but she was already too far down the street. I really wanted to open it with her there but I certainly didn't want to wait so instead, I took the envelope inside and opened it by myself in my room.
I pulled out a folded piece of paper with the fancy letterhead and saw my name. It looked so official! I began to read:
"Dear Miss Kishi,
Thank you for your interest in The Rhode Island School of Design. While your portfolio was very impressive, there are many factors involved with gaining acceptance to our institution and after careful consideration, we regret to inform you we are unable to offer you a place in our school at this time."
I didn't bother reading the rest of the letter. What did it matter? I got rejected. Of course I got rejected. I was so excited to finally get a response that it never crossed my mind that a small envelope like that wouldn't be an acceptance.
Yes, I was disappointed but at least I had three more chances and that was my third choice anyway. I decided to call my mom first to tell her the bad news and then I called Stacey. I was greeted with a nasally sounding person in place of my normal best friend. Hmm..she didn't sound sick when she dropped me off.
"Hey Stace. Um, what's going on?" I asked. Instead of talking, she broke into sobs.
"Stacey!" I cried. "What's wrong? What happened?"
"I..I..I got rejected," she said in between sobs.
"Oh my gosh. No! HOW?" I asked.
She said "I tried so hard..for nothing."
"I'm so sorry, Stace. Which school was it?" I asked.
"MIT."
Damn. I felt horrible for Stacey but even worse now knowing we wouldn't be together in Massachusetts.
I'm so sorry. Stacey. I chatted her up enough, trying to give her all the encouragement in the world and calmed her down enough to be able to tell her, "Well, I got my first response too."
"Oh really? That's great, Claud."
I scoffed and said, "Not really. I got rejected too."
She replied sympathetically, "Oh no. I'm so sorry. Which one?"
"Rhode Island. I'm disappointed but it was my third choice."
"Exactly," replied Stacey. "You have three more chances."
I added, "and you have two."
Obviously she'd be going to New York now so I guess I'd have to take my #2 choice and go to New York as well.
Having stopped crying by then, Stacey asked, "wanna go distract ourselves? Food? Movies?"
"Sure. How about a few hours? Like 6:30?" I asked
"Sounds good to me. I'll call Mary Anne and Kristy and see if they can come too." she replied.
Bummer. What a nasty way to start our weekend. Hopefully some good news would be coming our way soon..
