Chapter 12: Alyssa

One month later...

The muscles of my belly spasm as I click on the email and skim over the first line. I'd mentally prepared myself for a-we regret to inform you...blah, blah, blah.

Instead, it reads-Congratulations! You have been selected...

I blink and read over the first line with more care, but the words remain the same. It still says congratulations.

Holy shit! How did this happen? I didn't think I had a shot in the dark of being selected to attend LCDS. There were only a handful of spots and the competition was killer. Without Monsieur Dupre practically forcing me to apply, I wouldn't have bothered.

A potent concoction of excitement and fear bubble up inside me.

As that thought swirls through my head, the door to the dorm opens and Mia steps inside.

Her lips lift into a smile when she spots me at the desk near the window. "Hey! I didn't expect you back so soon."

"We were let out early," I tell her. "I just walked in ten minutes ago."

With a huff of breath, she tosses