11 Close friend

Michelle stared at the unread email on her screen with nervous eyes. She set it down on her reading table while on a video call with Roland.

"Open it" he urged, he was curious to see if she got into the university and was going to come to New York.

"I'm nervous...." Michelle said biting her fingers, she was scared that she didn't get in. She had been working so hard for this, if she didn't get in...

"I'm right here with you....come on" Roland smiled at her, Michelle couldn't help but feel warm hearing his words.

They had both been close friends for months now, Michelle became very comfortable around him after that day....

He was the person who tried to cheer her up after her falling out with John. He was there for her when she needed a shoulder to cry on. So Roland suddenly became the best friend of both siblings.

Michelle shakily tapped the email and read the contents on it.

Roland watched in anticipation, waiting for her to speak up.

She was silent for so long, he got impatient. He didn't notice the weird expression on her face and asked "Well? You got in right?....tell me"

"I didn't get in....." Michelle said with a sad expression. Roland's eyes widened, he couldn't bring himself to believe it. He had witnessed first hand how Michelle worked hard for this. He sighed

"Look Mimi, we can't always get what we want.....its okay, there are many other schools out there....." He stopped midway when he heard laughter coming form the other side of the screen.

"Got you!'' Michelle giggled before jumping around happily.

Roland was shocked for a while before he regained his senses "Hey not cool!....but you really got in?"

"Mmhmm" Michelle nodded excitedly. "Yes! Yes! " Roland said happily, he looked at her smiling face and suddenly felt like the happiest guy on the planet. Once she arrived, he plans to tell her how he truly feels and win her over.

"Congrats Mimi, I'm proud of you!" he said making Michelle smile wider. "I couldn't have done it without you" she said. After exchanging a few more words with him, she ended the call, she took her phone down stairs excitedly, ready to share the good news with everyone.

Victoria was the first person she saw, she couldn't contain her excitement any more and squealed happily.

"I got in! I got in!"

Silver who was busy in the kitchen joined them almost immediately. "You got in?" Victoria said smiling brightly.

Michelle nodded, "Mummy, I got in"

Seeing her excited face, Silver felt happy for her, the girl had been keeping to herself so much recently, this was the first time in moths she had seen her smile so happily.

John just walked into the house when he felt someone hug him. The scent was so familiar that he heard alarms ringing in his head. Just when he was about to push her away, he heard her beautiful voice. "I got in...I got accepted!"

"Into the university? " John asked, despite him wanting to push her away, he couldn't help but feel excited as well. He had been her personal tutor for a while, he had listened to her dreams and how she wanted to achieve them...he was happy, he was really happy!

Without thinking, he already hugged her back, raising her up and then spinning like little children.

"I am so proud of you" John said patting the girl's head. Of course he was aware of the glare that Silver was sending his way but at the moment, he couldn't care less. He just wanted to celebrate with her.

"We should definitely celebrate this! I will call your father" Silver said before giving John a meaningful look. He immediately released the girl from his embrace and smiled awkwardly.

"Thank you for helping me, I couldn't have done it without you as well" She smiled, she was so excited that she didn't realize this was the first time she was actually having a normal conversation with him in two months.

"Vicky...get the wine....I mean juice!" Silver corrected after remembering that both her daughters were still under age. Victoria laughed and ran towards the kitchen.

Mr Thomas didn't come back till it was time for dinner. Michelle already knew best how to behave around him now, she wouldn't say a word unless she was asked to. They weren't acting like parent and child anymore but something else entirely.

Mr Thomas had noticed how much his daughter had distanced herself from him, and even though he didn't want to admit it, he hated it. He knew that he had been too hard on her since she returned back from the village. But his pride won't even let him admit it to himself.

"Michelle got into Xxxxx University"

Thomas raised his head to look at the girl briefly, she looked at him as well, not even a smile....was she not happy?

"Hmmm" he hummed, he clenched his fists secretly. The girl didn't even chatter like she normally does, even when something this big had happened. He was immediately filled with regret.

"I will be leaving for the US as soon as possible Mr Thomas"

Michelle said, her eyes were already distant, no signs of the earlier excitement. She had gotten tired of trying to please her father, trying to make sure he never got angry at her.....but now, she didn't want any of that anymore.

Rather, she wanted to go as far away as possible.

"And why are you in such a hurry?" Mr Thomas asked with his usual strict voice. He wanted to spend at least a little more time with his daughter before she leaves. He was hoping using this tone would scare her into staying longer.

"I've been staying at home doing nothing for a while now. I would rather go there earlier to familiarize myself with self with the surroundings and be more productive.....since you always hated it when I sat idle without anything to do"

Hearing her words, Thomas knew he couldn't say anything that would change her mind. He could resolve to hitting her again but he had stopped doing that a few months back.

"Ok then, Will you be going alone or will John, be the person to take you?"

"I can go on my own...." Michelle replied.

After the awkward dinner, Michelle went into her room and didn't forget to lock the door behind her.

With a huge smile on her face, she brought out her diary from the top drawer.