A future in New York.
A future I had built for myself.
My throat felt tight. Too tight.
I should have felt relief. I should have felt pride, victory—*something* other than this terrible, aching weight pressing down on my chest.
This was what I had wanted.
Wasn’t it?
“Amber?” Alek’s voice was soft, coaxing, as if he was afraid I might shatter. “What does it say?”
I opened my mouth, but nothing came out. I swallowed, tried again. “I got in.”
Silence.
Then Aaron let out a sharp exhale, a grin pulling at his lips. “That’s amazing, princess.”
Alan nodded once, measured, like he had expected this outcome all along. “Full scholarship?”
I nodded.
Another beat of silence.
And then Alek asked the question I had been dreading. “Do you want to go?”
My fingers
