Bits in Between
Chapter Sixteen: Acceptance Letter
By Lumendea
AN: Takes place during Defender of Earth before Rose starts at Cambridge.
…..
It didn't matter how high her scores were or how well done her written work submissions were, or how many times Eve had assured her in letters that she'd get in, Rose wasn't ready for the day the letter actually came. She'd been invited for the interview and done a pretty good job with the questions about her work ethic and interest in the sciences. Rose had been able to justify her concurrent degree request and gotten a nod of understanding from the interviewer. But she still hadn't been ready.
The envelope was a bit thick and made of good quality paper. On the corner was the King's College crest, and Rose's heart skipped a beat when she found it waiting with their post. In a haze, she picked up the letter, leaving the others on the floor, and walked over to the bright pink sofa. She let her bag fall onto the cushions before sinking down herself. Part of her wondered if she should change out of her uniform first.
From the kitchen, she could hear her mum on the phone, probably with Bev, and turned her head. Rose swallowed, trying to call out, but her mouth was dry. Her eyes jumped back to the envelope, and her fingers itched to open it. Dropping it on the table, Rose stared at it like it was a viper. Her mum suddenly came around the corner from the kitchen and spotted her.
"Sweetheart, what's wrong?" Jackie shifted the phone away from her mouth and waited. Rose couldn't find the words. Her tongue was suddenly tied. This was it; this was the letter that would answer if her work had paid off. "Bev, I'll call you back," Jackie said. A moment later, her mum had moved her bag and was sitting next to her. Jackie put an arm around her. "What is it, Rose?"
"Letter from Cambridge," Rose managed. She nodded towards it.
"Oh no, were you rejected?" Rose looked over at her mum. Jackie looked sad but a bit resigned.
"Haven't opened it yet," Rose said. "Schrödinger's letter."
"What now?"
"Schrödinger's cat is a thought experiment that suggests something could be in two different states due to you not knowing which one is true at that moment," Rose summarised. "So right now, the letter is both an acceptance and rejection letter. It will be until I open it."
"You've worked so hard for years," Jackie said kindly. "Your scores were amazing, and you said you did well on the interview. Just open it, sweetheart."
Nodding, Rose grabbed the letter and tore open the top. She didn't breathe as she looked at the crest in the upper corner. Official stationery indeed and printed on good paper. Her eyes went lower, and she scanned the first line thanking her for applying. Then she found it. The next sentence held what she really needed to see.
She'd been accepted as a full-time student.
"I got in," Rose said. She barely believed the words even as she said them. "I got in!"
Jackie snatched the letter with a shriek. She was off the couch in a blur of pink, rushing to the front door. Blinking in surprise, Rose stared after her mother as the front door was thrown open.
"My girl is going to Cambridge!" The shout echoed through the Powell Estates.
Lowering her head into her hands, Rose felt her cheeks heating up and a huge grin taking over her face. Outside she could hear answering shouts and people running down the stairs. She shook her head and inwardly conceded that there was probably going to be one hell of a party tonight.