BORN LUCKY

CHAPTER 2

How was it? Huh??” Avia asked behind me. She peered at the screen and quickly tried to read the email, before she was done, I had already jumped up from my seat and hugged her.

“…assed.” I felt hot tears stream down my face as I hugged her and muttered into her shoulder.

Avia was confused. “What did you say?”

“I got in!!!” I finally screamed out in joy. I looked back at the screen with a wide smile on my face. The email on the screen was pretty long. Most of the beginning to the end was just an analysis of my exam and my performance overall. It was just a long story to prepare her for her results. At the end was a clean line that brought me clarity.

‘Congratulations on your acceptance into our prestigious institution…’

I felt like that sentence was saving me. It was a sentence that would bring me freedom. It was a signal for my new life. A new age. I felt different.

“Oh my gosh, congratulations!!” Avia said with a smile on her face. She seemed happy for me.

“Yeah! Thank you for your support, Avia.” I thank her sincerely. I clean the tears from my eyes. I was somewhat grateful to Avia. I was happy that Avia had been my friend. She was like the only real support I had in my life. My best friend. I couldn’t wait for us to go to school together. I just knew that Avia would get in.

“Come on! Hurry up and check yours. Then it will be a double celebration!” I urged Avia to check hers. She eagerly rose from her spot and sat in front of the computer. In a matter of minutes, her results were displayed on the screen.

The room was quiet. I felt the air shift. My heart missed a beat as Avia’s expected scream of happiness did not come. Although I hadn’t seen her results, I instinctively knew what was happening.

Avia didn’t get in.

When I got back from Avia’s house, it was late in the evening. I walked into my house in a complicated mood. I heard the sound of laughter and chattering from the dining room, I consciously walked past it and headed to my room. I passed by the maid who usually delivered my food on the way, who informed me that my meal was in my room. I silently thank her and make my way.

My dinner was simple but I was sure that the rest of my family was eating happily with a table filled with delicacies. I still wasn’t sure if my humble plate was the work of Amber, my parents, or the help. No one in this house valued me.

When it was time for me to head to bed, I hesitated to call my best friend, Avia. I had left her house after she had cried herself to sleep. I didn’t know how to comfort her. I felt a bit bad. I once heard that the school I had applied to only accepted one person per school. Their acceptance rate was low as well. I wondered if my admission had caused Avia to be rejected. A part of me felt regretful. Just a part of me. Truthfully, I believed that Avia would be fine. She was smart and rich. Even if she couldn’t get into the school I was going to, she could go for the next best thing. She wasn’t as desperate as I was. I had everything to lose while she had not much to lose. Unlike me, she had loving parents. I was sure that her parents would comfort her even more after I had left, but what about me? If I had failed to get in, what would my outcome be? I didn’t dare imagine it.

In the end, I went to bed without calling Avia. For once in a long time, I even went to bed with a smile knowing I had better days ahead.

“Even the food tastes better today for some reason,” I said as I devoured my breakfast. I had a smile on my face as I ate at my desk. Once I was done, all I needed to do was place my dishes on the cart outside of my room. One would think I was favored to have such a treatment. That was not the case. My parents did not want me near certain places, so this was the best option.

After breakfast, I lay on my bed in a daze for a while. I felt giddy and motivated. I suddenly started to imagine what my life in school would be like. I had already planned to get a part time job to make money. I needed to start taking care of myself. I needed to make sure I could be far away from my parents without them knowing my whereabouts. Far away from Amber as well.

I lay day, daydreaming about my school days when suddenly, my phone rang out. It brought me out of my daze. It took me a second before I reacted and picked up my call.

“Hello?” I ask, curious. This was the first time someone other than Avia had called my number.

“Hello. May I know if I am speaking to Nora Nicks?” A calm voice said at the other end of the call. It was a woman.

“Uh yes. This is she. Who are you?” I ask. I suddenly started to have a strange feeling. It was a bit sickening. I wasn’t sure why. I sat up on my bed and held my phone tightly.

“Okay. My name is Clara Barton. I am a part of the administrative staff of EXO University.” The woman said. My heart stopped at her words. EXO University was the same university I had applied to and had been accepted to.

I felt extremely nervous. Why would they call me?

“I see. So…why did you call? I already received my admission notice.” I said to her. I felt fidgety so I moved away from the bed and stood up.

“Ah yes, about that. I am sorry to inform you about this but we have reconsidered your admission and unfortunately for you, we will not be able to accept you into our prestigious institution.” The woman said with pity in her voice.

I froze. The blood on my cheeks was drained. I felt like my heart had shattered.

“W-what do y-you mean?” I asked, trembling.

“I know it is hard to hear but the university is…” the woman went on to speak but at that point, I had already stopped listening. I felt my ears buzz. She was not saying the words I wanted. I wondered if it was a prank.

It wasn't. I had lost my chance at freedom.

I was suddenly silent. I couldn’t respond to anything the woman was saying anymore. I just couldn’t. She seemed to have noticed this and soon her voice died down and she stopped.

“I apologize. Good day.” She said before she hung up. I knew she could feel my pain at that moment. If only that sentiment could make me feel better.

I stood still for a while, lost.

Suddenly, a voice sounded from behind me, it was the last voice I wanted to hear at that moment.

“Hey! Low level leech Nora! I heard that you were dumb enough to fail your exams. Are you that dumb?”