Chapter 9
That Friday after school, an urgent text went out to the group text from Maya "I finally got my letter from the New York Academy of Art and I am dying to open it, everyone else ready"?
Farkle: "Absolutely, Isadora and I got our first-choice letters this week, been waiting on you".
Andrew: "Can't wait to see your face when you find out you get in baby, where do you want to meet?"
Zay: "Little nervous to open mine, but will definitely be there".
Riley: "Received NYU a few days ago, meet at Topanga's to open?"
Lucas: "Sounds good, meet in 20 minutes".
Riley rushed out of her room to find her parents and Auggie in the living room. "Hey where are you going in such a hurry?" her dad asked. "We're all meeting at Topanga's to open our college acceptance letters" Riley replied hurrying towards the door. "Wait, wait, wait" Cory exclaimed, "you are finally going to open it and we don't even get to see it?" Riley stopped dead in her tracks and turned to kiss her father on the cheek. "I'm sorry dad, we just promised each other that we would open them together so that if someone didn't get in, we would be there to support each other. Maya and Zay especially are really nervous. I promise you though, I will let you know as soon as everyone opens their letters." She then continued to leave the apartment, leaving Cory feeling left out.
As soon as everyone had gathered Maya took charge. "OK Ranger Rick, we all know you are going to the University of Texas, they broadcast the baseball scholarship ceremony yesterday at school, so you don't get to play, just sit there and look pretty." Riley, who was wrapped in Lucas' arms, looked down sadly. "Don't worry baby", he whispered in her ear, "it will work out". She turned to face him with a worried look, "how will it work out, we'll be apart for 4 years, I should have applied to Texas". Lucas was about to reply when Maya interrupted "OK you two can discuss that later, we all have letters we are dying to open, who wants to go first?" Farkle, clasping Isadora's hand, stepped up. "We'll go" he said, "we've been holding onto our Harvard letters for days." Riley looked confused, "I thought your first choice was Columbia so you could stay in the city". "That's our backup choice in case one of us doesn't get into Harvard" Isabella explained, "we brought those letters too." They both opened their letters together then proceeded to hug and kiss each other, "Cambridge here we come" Farkle explained. Farkle and Isadora were immediately pulled into a round of hugs by their friends, and even Isadora seemed comfortable returning the gestures.
Zay stood up next, "I know the chances are slim, but I am dying to see if I got into NYU, so please let me go next". He ripped open his envelope and began to greedily read the contents, then jump up and down, "I got in, I got in! Riley I know you are going to get in too, you and I will have to hang out since Lucas is in Texas". "Easy buddy" Lucas cut in, "still my girl." Andrew spoke up, "Riley, why don't you go next?" then after Riley shook her head, "Maya". Maya too refused so Andrew proceeded to open his. "I got into NYU as well, don't worry Lucas, I'll take care of Zay". Maya looked pointedly at Riley, "Open yours Peaches, find out if the three of you will be together". Riley was miserable, she was happy to know that if she got in she would have friends there, but could only think about how far away Lucas would be. "I got in" she said with a half-smile. After her other friends enveloped her, Lucas pulled her close and whispered "I'm so proud of you princess, don't worry, I will make it work, do you trust me?" Riley looked up into his sure eyes and nodded slowly, feeling a bit better.
"OK Peaches, we are all waiting, you need to open that letter" Riley told Maya, who looked ashen. "I'm afraid to, it's the New York Academy of Art, my dream school, what if I didn't get in?" Riley hugged Maya close, "they would be a fool not to take you, and if they are another great art school will snap you up". Maya was still too afraid to open the letter and asked Andrew to do it. She buried her head in his chest while he opened the letter and began to read. "Well baby" he said to the total silence of Maya and her friends "guess we will have to look for places to live in New York, cause you are going to the New York Academy of Art!" Maya pulled back dumbfounded and yanked the letter from his hands. "I got in, I got in!" Another round of hugs and congratulations occurred, then they all split up to tell their families.
Riley's parents and brother were waiting impatiently on the couch. "Well?" her dad asked "New York University" Riley answered. Her parents and brother leapt up to hug and congratulate her, not really noticing how half-hearted her hugs were in return. Riley pulled away, "guys, I know you're excited, but its been a really big day, can we maybe just sit down and have dinner like normal?" For the rest of that evening, she put on a brave face while they discussed her plans for next year.