"Mom! Mom!" Reyanne's voice echoed through the quiet house as she called out to her mother.
She flew down the stairs, heading straight for the kitchen where her mother was making breakfast; the smell of eggs and bacon wafted through the air, giving her the familiar smell of home.
"What is it, Reyanne?" her mom asked as she focused on cutting oranges.
"I got in!" Reyanne said, waving a paper excitedly in her hand.
"Got into what?" her mom asked. When she noticed the paper, her eyes widened. "The university… you got into the university?"
"Yeah! I just opened the letter this morning. Do you want to see?"
"Of course I do," her mom said.
Reyanne stepped closer and held the letter out for her mother to read.
A wide smile spread across her mom's face as she read aloud, "Dear Miss Reyanne, Congratulations! On behalf of the Kennington State University community, I am pleased to announce your admission to the fall class of 2019."
She motioned for Reyanne to lower the paper. "Oh, I'm so happy for you. I knew you could do it. Congratulations!" She set the knife aside, wiped her hands on a towel, and pulled Reyanne into a tight hug.
"Thanks, Mom! I'm going to call Dad."
Reyanne rushed out of the kitchen, heart still racing with excitement. She ran up the stairs, nearly slipping in her haste. Luckily, she caught herself before falling.
"Be careful, Rey! You can't go if you're dead," her mom called after her.
"I know, I know!" Reyanne replied as she reached her bedroom.
Once inside, she sat on her bed and immediately called her father.
"Dad! I have great news—I got into KSU!"
"That's amazing, honey!" he replied, excitement clear in his voice. "Though I can't say I'm surprised. I always knew you'd get in."
"I know, Dad. You believed in me more than I did."
"What can I say? I know my kids and their capabilities." He paused briefly before continuing. "Oh—and I was the one who brought in the mail this morning. I think I deserve some credit."
"Of course you do," she said. "I owe you a big hug."
"The biggest one yet," he added with a laugh. "We should celebrate. When I get home from work, we're going out to eat. Let your mom know."
"I will. Thanks, Dad."
"You're welcome, sweetheart." He paused. "I have to get back to work now. I'll see you later, okay?"
"Okay," she said before hanging up.
Reyanne had one more person to tell the good news to. She quickly texted her best friend, Aubrey.
Reyanne: I got in!
Aubrey: Yay! Celebrate at our usual spot?
Reyanne: You know it! 2 sound good?
Aubrey: Works for me.
Reyanne finished texting her friend and then returned to the kitchen while her mom was setting the table.
"Do you need help, Mom?" Reyanne asked.
"No, honey. Just go get your little brother and come back down to eat."
"Sure thing," she replied before heading upstairs.
That afternoon, Reyanne began getting ready around one o'clock, unable to hide her happiness. Music played softly as she styled her hair and applied her makeup. She decided on a natural look, wearing her hair down and opting for lip gloss instead of lipstick.
When she finished, Reyanne studied her reflection and smiled. Her long, curly black hair framed her face softly, falling around warm, light-brown skin that always seemed to glow when she was happy. Her almond-shaped eyes—light brown and expressive—held a quiet excitement, and her small button nose and full lips gave her a gentle, approachable look. There was something effortlessly pretty about her. Her beauty didn't demand attention but invited it.
She looked like someone standing on the edge of something new—and for once; she felt ready.
After one last glance in the mirror, she placed her phone and purse into her bag and scanned the room to make sure she had everything she needed. Her bedroom, like most personal spaces, reflected who she was. Painted a cool shade of light blue, it mirrored her calm disposition. Posters featuring sarcastic quotes lined the walls, and bookshelves overflowed with romance, mystery, and fantasy novels.
Satisfied, Reyanne turned off the lights and headed downstairs.
"Mom! I'm leaving. I won't be out too long," she called as she reached the front door.
"Okay, sweetie," her mom called back.
Ten minutes later, Reyanne arrived at Brick Oven Dreams, her and Aubrey's favorite pizzeria. The hand-tossed dough, locally grown ingredients, and wood-fired oven combined to create pizzas that tasted unmistakably like home.
Reyanne quickly went to the table where Aubrey already sat, embraced her swiftly, and settled into the chair opposite her. They ordered a medium pepperoni pizza to share and spent the meal talking excitedly about the adventures ahead—until Aubrey's smile slowly faded.
"Rey, this is really exciting news, but I'm going to miss you so much. We'll be living in different states, and we won't see each other as often. What am I supposed to do without my best friend?" Tears welled in her eyes.
Reyanne moved closer and hugged her.
"Don't cry, Bree. We can text, call, and video chat. And we'll see each other during the holidays. You can't get rid of me that easily."
Aubrey wiped her tears and smiled. "Same goes for you. You couldn't get rid of me even if you wanted to."
After spending more time together, Reyanne returned home just in time to get ready for dinner. She wore her hair down again, kept her makeup natural, and chose a mid-length black dress with thin straps and kitten-heels.
That evening, her family went out to celebrate at La Tavola Verdet, a family-style Italian restaurant in downtown Indianapolis. Inside, they led themselves to a polished mahogany table reserved just for them, thanks to her dad's friendship with the owner.
Laughter filled the air throughout dinner. At dessert, they raised their glasses in celebration of her accomplishments and in anticipation of her future.
Later that night, Reyanne collapsed onto her bed, exhausted. After a shower and brushing her teeth, she went to sleep.