Chapter 3

The administrator stared at the acceptance letter, frozen. Two minutes later, he looked up at me and asked, "Chloe Chesson? Is that your full name?"

A chill ran down my spine. I had a bad feeling about this.

Before I could answer, my parents spoke up.

The administrator staggered slightly at their response. He motioned for the people outside to quiet down, and the hall went completely silent.

Seeing this, my parents grew worried. They turned toward me, but I didn't look back.

My eyes were locked on him as he said coldly, "I'm sorry. Our school can't accept you. I'll have to report this to admissions and have your acceptance rescinded."

My head started buzzing. Dizziness washed over me, and I nearly lost my balance.

Thankfully, my parents caught me in time.

I looked straight at the administrator and asked, slowly and clearly, "I want a clear explanation. Your school already accepted me. You can't just take back my offer without an explanation."

My hands clenched tightly, nails digging into my palms.

I swore to myself that no matter what, I would get to the bottom of this today.

My parents joined in.

My father said, "Exactly! You've admitted her. You can't just take it back! This isn't fair!"

My mother added, "We may not be educated people, but you can't treat us this way. We deserve an explanation!"

The neighbors who had gathered nearby began whispering among themselves.

The news that I was the state's top student—yet still rejected—had already spread throughout our small town.

People muttered indignantly, convinced I must have offended someone powerful. Otherwise, with my scores, every university should have been fighting to recruit me.

Faced with our questions, the administrator offered no explanation, only repeating that someone like me would never get into any school.

I kept pressing him, but I got nothing.

After he left, my family became the target of everyone's stares and gossip.

"Chloe must be cursed or something. Three years of trying, and no school will take her? What a waste of money!"

"She might as well just give up and start working. Either way, she'll end up getting married anyway."

"Exactly. Maybe working will at least make up for the money the family wasted!"

The comments came one after another. My parents were so furious that they nearly got into a fight.

My mother grabbed a broom to chase them off. "Get out of here, you nosy hags! Don't stand in our way!"

My father's face hardened as he defended me. "I'll do whatever it takes to support my daughter!"

Seeing they wouldn't get any entertainment out of us, the neighbors cursed under their breath and finally left.

I stared at the rescinded acceptance letter, completely baffled.

What was wrong with my name? Why did schools back off as soon as they saw it?

I couldn't figure it out, and I clawed at my hair in frustration.

Seeing me crouched on the ground, eyes bloodshot, my parents were heartbroken and frantic.

My father smoked quietly, defeated. My mother, afraid I might hurt myself, kept trying to calm me down.

But all I could think about were the endless rejections.

Had my parents worked themselves to the bone for me, and had I spent nine years pushing myself, only for it all to come to nothing?

Suddenly, a thought struck me. "Mom, Dad, I still have one last chance. The community college results come out in a week. Maybe I'll get in there."

At that, my parents finally let out a breath they'd been holding.

Community colleges were known to accept almost anyone. Even students with the lowest scores got in. There was no way someone with a 1580 SAT like me wouldn't.

We pinned all our hopes on this final chance.

After all, my grades were strong. Even if I started at a community college, I could always transfer later.

We waited an anxious week as a family. Thankfully, the acceptance letter finally arrived. My parents and I stared at it, then hugged each other, crying with relief.

Early the next morning, my father went out and picked up food to celebrate. My mother bought me two new outfits, saying I couldn't show up to college looking shabby.

That night, the three of us sat down together for a celebratory meal.

"Mom, Dad, once I start working, I'll buy a house and bring you both to live with me. I promise you'll have a good life!"

Their smiles were radiant.

"All we ever wanted was for you to be safe and not suffer like we did."

"I believe our daughter will make something of herself."

But I never expected the community college principal to show up at our door.

The first thing he said was, "May I see your acceptance letter?"

Remembering what had happened before, my face went pale, and my legs nearly gave out.

Instinctively, I tried to hide the letter on the table, but he was faster. The moment he opened it, I started to cry.

As expected, when he saw the name Chloe Chesson, his expression darkened. Right in front of us, he took the letter back.

"Chloe, I'm sorry, but we're withdrawing your admission. You cannot attend our school."

I couldn't understand. Why was it happening again?

After he left, I collapsed and shut myself in my room.

"Chloe Chesson… Chloe Chesson…"

I whispered my name over and over, like I'd gone mad, turning my room upside down searching for my ID.

I needed to see it. I needed to know what kind of curse my name carried.

When I finally found my ID and saw my name printed on it, everything clicked.