THE FIVE OF US

Chapter 4: A New Beginning

The rest of the day passed in a blur.

Every few minutes, I glanced at my phone, waiting for Uncle David's message.

It felt as if time had suddenly slowed down.

I tried helping Mum at the salon, but my mind kept drifting back to our conversation.

"Chloe!"

Mum's voice snapped me back to reality.

"Yes, Mum?" I replied as I looked up from the customer whose hair I was sectioning.

"You've been holding that comb in one place for almost a minute."

The customer laughed softly.

I covered my face in embarrassment.

"I'm so sorry."

"It's alright," the woman said with a smile. "You must have received some good news."

"I did," I admitted.

"I can see it all over your face."

I smiled without saying another word and continued braiding her hair.

About an hour later, my phone vibrated.

I glanced at the screen.

Uncle David.

My heart skipped.

"Mum, it's Uncle!" I said excitedly.

"Answer him," Mum replied.

I quickly picked up the call.

"Good afternoon, Uncle."

"Good afternoon, Chloe."

"I've just sent you everything, check your phone."

"I've seen it."

"Good."

"You'll need your birth certificate, your high school transcript, passport photographs, and a few other documents."

"I already have some of them."

"Excellent."

"I've also spoken to the admissions officer."

I held my breath.

"He'll be expecting your application."

A smile spread across my face.

"Thank you so much, Uncle."

"Don't thank me yet."

"I've only opened the door."

"You still have to walk through it."

"I understand."

"One more thing."

"Yes, Uncle?"

"I want you to come to my restaurant tomorrow morning."

"Tomorrow?"

"Yes."

"There are a few forms we need to fill out together."

"I'll be there."

"Good."

"And don't be late."

I laughed.

"I won't."

After the call ended, I immediately checked my phone to see all he sent.

There it was.

A long message from Uncle David.

Every requirement was neatly listed.

At the bottom of the message, he had written:

'Don't lose hope now. This is only the beginning.'

I stared at those words for a while.

Then I quietly whispered,

"Thank You, Lord."

That evening, after dinner, Dad spread all our important documents across the dining table.

"Let's check everything carefully," he said.

Mum sat beside him with a small notebook.

I joined them.

Dad picked up my birth certificate.

"Original."

He placed it in one file.

Next came my letter of recommendation.

"Complete."

Then my high school transcript.

"Also complete."

Mum flipped through the notebook.

"We only need new passport photographs."

"I can take them tomorrow after leaving your uncle's restaurant," I said.

Dad nodded.

"Good thinking."

He looked at me and smiled.

"You've become more organized."

"I've learned from the best."

He laughed.

"I'll accept that compliment."

Mum shook her head playfully.

"Don't let it enter your head."

We all laughed together.

It had been a long time since our house felt this light.

Later that night, I sat on the edge of my bed with my journal resting on my lap.

I opened to a fresh page and wrote:

Mission Level Up.

Below it, I added,

"Dear God, if this opportunity is truly from You, help me to be diligent enough to walk through every door You open. Remove fear from my heart and replace it with wisdom, discipline, and courage."

I closed the journal, switched off the lamp, and lay down.

Instead of worrying about another rejection...

...I found myself wondering what tomorrow would bring.

Little did I know that my visit to Uncle David's restaurant would introduce me to someone whose arrival would quietly change the course of my life.

At that moment, I had no idea everything was about to change.

I simply closed my eyes...

...and fell asleep with hope in my heart.