Chapter 11 A New Beginning

"You're going to the Defense Technology Institute! You've already got everything you ever wanted! Why do you have to ruin our lives too?"I yanked my arm free from her grip and took a step back, letting the doorframe stand firmly between us."Rachel, you changed my college application behind my back, humiliated me in front of everyone at the graduation dinner, posted those videos to turn the public against me, and now you've come here asking me to lie for you."You walked down the steps to hell without my help. Now, lie in the bed of roses you made."The look in her eyes grew even more unhinged. She pointed at me, her voice rising to a shriek. "This is all your fault! Why were you always the top student? Why did my parents always compare me to you?"Why did someone as outstanding as Silas have to stay stuck in second place because of you? Why?"I looked at her. "That's simple enough. It's because I worked harder than you. That's all."Then, I looked at Silas. "As for our 18 year

Chapter 12 Looking Up

The military uniform was the one my father had brought home the year he left the service. The shoulder epaulets had faded almost white from wear, and one of the collar buttons was missing. So, my mother had sewn on a new one with dark blue thread, her stitches tiny and neat.I folded the uniform carefully and tucked it beneath my pillow. When I lay down to test it, the pillow was just a little higher than usual.My phone lit up again. Everyone in the class group chat was posting photos of their college dorms.Someone shared the view from Bradford University's Redbud Hall, showing us the view from the floor-to-ceiling windows. It was filled with lush green trees and buildings in the distance.Someone else posted a photo from Oakridge University's Cherry Blossom Hall, and the roof of the old library could be seen through the window.Another person shared the lawn in front of Westbridge University's Brightwood Hall. The evening sun stretched across the grass, bathing everything in a

Chapter 13 Above the Clouds

My mother turned the transcript over to make sure there was nothing on the back, then flipped it over again and read it from the beginning one more time.Then, she took off her glasses and wiped them clean. She folded the transcript, walked into the bedroom she shared with my father, opened the top drawer of the nightstand, and tucked it all the way in the back.That drawer held every important exam record I had ever brought home, from elementary school math competitions to my SATs.I stood in the doorway and watched her put it away before she gently closed the drawer.The three of us sat around the table during dinner. We ate quietly, and the only sound we made was the soft clink of dishes.Halfway through the meal, my mother suddenly said, "Silas' family moved away."I kept reaching for the food without even flinching."His mom came to say goodbye last month. She said he repeated his senior year, got into an average state university, and left for school in another state."She

All Chapters of I Was Meant For More: Chapter 11 - Chapter 13

Chapter 11 A New Beginning

Chapter 12 Looking Up

Chapter 13 Above the Clouds