Chapter 4

Lena's POV

Two weeks later, the college admission results were officially released, and the living room erupted.

Mom slapped her thigh, tears of excitement filling her eyes. "Mandy got in! It's not one of the state's top colleges, but it's still a good school!"

Ian patted Mandy on the head and said proudly, "Mandy, I told you you'd surprise everyone this time!"

The doorbell rang, and Zeke walked in carrying a large bouquet of baby's breath.

He walked right past me and placed the flowers in Mandy's arms.

He said to her, "Mandy, the college I chose is right next to yours. If you ever need anything, just call me."

Mandy held the flowers and shyly leaned against Mom. "Thanks, Mom, Ian, and Zeke."

Mom finally turned to me, as if she had just remembered I was there. "Lena, what about you? Have you checked yours?"

The smile vanished from Ian's face, replaced by a solemn expression.

"Mom, I just checked for her." He paused. "Lena didn't get into any of them."

The living room fell silent.

Mom was stunned. "What do you mean she didn't get in? Wasn't she the top student in the state?"

Mandy's eyes widened as she covered her mouth. "What? How could Lena…"

Ian held up his phone and shook it. "What's the point of always being better than Mandy? When it mattered most, Lena still couldn't come through."

Zeke smiled knowingly. "Mandy really knows how to surprise everyone. You outdid Lena this time. Good for you!"

Mandy laughed gleefully, then spoke as if she were trying to be thoughtful. "Mom, don't be too hard on Lena. I already checked. There are still openings for students repeating senior year at our old high school.

"Since we're heading to school today to tell the teachers my good news, we can get Lena signed up to repeat senior year while we're there."

Mom kept nodding as she pointed a finger at my face. "Lena, you've gotten way too full of yourself. Let this teach you a lesson!"

Mandy walked over and gently tugged at my sleeve. "Lena, it's okay. There's nothing embarrassing about taking another year. You're smart. I'm sure you'll get into a good college next time."

…

Third-Person POV

Half an hour later, they all headed to the high school.

When they reached the hallway outside the school office, Mandy's homeroom teacher warmly greeted them and congratulated her.

Several classmates passing by stopped when they saw Mandy and the others.

"Lena didn't get in? The top student in the state got rejected from all the places she applied to?"

"I heard her college choices were ridiculous. She's known for being a science whiz, yet she applied to Branford University's literature program. What made her think she had a chance?"

"She really got too full of herself. Did she seriously think she could do anything and get away with it?"

Mandy stopped.

She sighed and said to the classmates beside her in a deeply sympathetic tone, "Lena just set her sights too high. She always wants the best of everything. If she'd played it safe, this wouldn't have happened. If only she were more grounded like me."

Zeke stood beside her and remained silent.

He didn't join in or defend Lena. He just stood by and watched as she became the school's laughingstock.

Lena's mom, Amber Tully, couldn't wait any longer and pushed open the school office door.

"Ms. Zimmer, Lena didn't get into college this time! She's too ashamed to even come to school," Amber said. "I'd like to sign her up to repeat senior year. What do we need to do?"

Cara Zimmer was writing at her desk. At those words, her pen suddenly stilled.

"Lena didn't get into college?" she asked incredulously.

Cara's expression turned strangely serious as she looked at everyone before her.

She said slowly, "Lena was accepted into Branford University's literature program."