I glanced at my little cousin, Bella, as she sang along with the Barbie cartoon on the television. For a moment, I wished I could be her, carefree, innocent, and with no worries in the world. I'd once been that way too, for ten whole years. But now, at eighteen, everything felt heavier. Stress. Anxiety. The wait for my admission letter.
I sighed and sank deeper into the cushion, my eyes glued to Barbie and Ken dancing on-screen.
"I'm a Barbie girl, in a Barbie world…"
Bella's voice chimed happily.
My mother was still at work and would be home soon, and the thought only tightened the knot in my stomach. What if I wasn't accepted into Dale's High? What if I hadn't passed? The disappointment on my mother's face… even worse, the subtle disapproval from Uncle Josiah. And then my girlfriends, they'd be crushed too.
I wanted this. More than anything, I wanted to make it into Dale's High, the most prestigious school in the world. Everyone talked about it. Everyone wanted it.
I could still remember the palace-like buildings when I went for the entrance exam. The sheer grandeur of it all. Even the exam hall screamed wealth and power. If the classrooms were anything like that, I could only imagine how extraordinary the library would be.
Restless, I jumped to my feet again. My group chat was quiet, of course, they were in their lessons. Queensland Academy was drilling them hard, pushing them toward their dream colleges. I, on the other hand, paced back and forth in the sitting room, glancing between my phone and the door, waiting for two things at once: my mum's arrival and the email.
When I couldn't take it anymore, I distracted myself by browsing online, as usual. This time, I searched Royal Dynasty Company heirs. For the millionth time. But, as always, no results. It was as if the internet had swallowed them whole. No matter what I typed, no images, no names, nothing. Rumor had it they paid a fortune to keep their identities private.
Blogs claimed the heirs were devastatingly handsome and cold. Some said they were mean. Others swore they were the type of men every girl wanted, tall, rich, powerful. And of course, their father, the legendary founder of Royal Dynasty, appeared everywhere in search results. At sixty-one, he looked barely forty. Youth, power, dominance, he had it all.
I shivered, remembering the day my mum's car was forced to stop just so a sleek black vehicle could pass. Security treated it like royalty. No doubt, it belonged to one of them.
I dropped my phone on the dining table, my head spinning with thoughts of Dale's High and Royal Dynasty. But then—
The sound of a car horn blaring outside snapped me back.
"Mum."
I rushed to the window, spotting her white vehicle pulling into the garage. Bella bolted outside to help with the grocery bags. I opened the door just in time to see Mum pat Bella's head before her eyes met mine. My throat tightened. She was waiting for news I didn't have.
I forced a smile and greeted her. "How was work today?"
"It was good. I love my job, it's fulfilling," she replied warmly, carrying the groceries to the kitchen. Moments later, she returned, wiping her hands on a napkin.
Her eyes softened. "What's wrong with you? You look tense."
I hesitated, then finally blurted the question haunting me: "What if I don't make it into Dale's High?"
She fell quiet. The silence said enough. Still, she touched my arm and smiled. "Then you'll get into another school. There are many good high schools in Singapore. But… I wish with all my heart you're among those accepted."
Her words didn't erase the lump in my chest. Frustrated, I checked my email again. Nothing. Just the old message granting me permission to take the exam.
I dropped my phone back onto the table with a sigh.
"You don't have to worry," Mum reassured me. "I know you did your best."
But she quickly changed the subject. "Make dinner, Sophie. Spaghetti. Bella will help you."
Even in my frustration, I obeyed. Soon, Bella and I were in the kitchen. As I set the pot of water to boil, she asked suddenly:
"Sophie, did you ever have a crush?"
I froze. Joseph's face flashed in my mind. My chest tightened.
"Yes," I admitted. "He even became my boyfriend. But he messed with my feelings."
Bella blinked in surprise.
"But," I added quickly, "that doesn't mean everyone's like that. Some girls marry their crushes. Some… get betrayed. You just have to be careful."
Her cheeks flushed. "Do you think I have a crush?"
I smirked, stirring the spaghetti. "Of course. I bet he's handsome. The type every girl wants, right?"
She giggled softly. "Yes, he's good looking. But I like him because of his intelligence. His calmness. The way he speaks. He solves problems…"
I stared at her, realizing she was really falling for him. Just like I once had with Joseph.
"Do you love him?" I asked, though I hadn't meant to.
She shook her head. "No. I just admire him. Not love."
"Good." I smiled faintly. "Maybe when you're fifteen, you'll be ready for a boyfriend. But not now."
She nodded.
Then, of course, she asked, "How's Joseph?"
I swallowed hard. My secret wouldn't stay hidden forever.
"He broke up with me," I confessed, bitterness lacing my voice.
Bella's eyes widened. "When?"
"Last month. And what's worse? Days later, he paraded my enemy, Hailey, as his new girlfriend."
Her mouth dropped. "That's insane!"
"Boys," I muttered. "When they're done, they leave with a stupid excuse. Don't get too attached, Bella. Promise me."
"I promise. Studies first."
I smiled. "Good girl."
Later, at dinner, Mum casually asked, "So, where do you want to study for university?"
University? I hadn't even secured high school yet! Still, I muttered, "Dale's University?"
Mum raised her brow. "Sophie, tuition there is over millions dollars a year. Be realistic. There are cheaper colleges. Ten thousand dollars a year. I could afford that."
I nodded, but my chest was heavy. Dale's was the only name my heart clung to.
After dinner, I scrolled through my group chat. The girls were gossiping, Joseph and Hailey's latest photo, Hailey's weight, Mr. Johnson resigning. And then:
Tasha: "Have you received your Dale's High email yet?"
Me: "Nope. Still waiting."
Tessa: "Don't give up. You'll get in. I believe it."
I wanted to believe it too.
I was rinsing my plate in the kitchen sink when a notification lit up my phone. My heart skipped.
Subject: Dale's High Admission Decision
My hands shook as I opened the email.
Dear Sophia Anderson,
We are glad to inform you that you have been accepted to Dale's High to begin your senior year. Kindly follow the link below to accept your admission, complete the necessary forms, and choose whether to stay in the hostel or as a day scholar. Welcome, and congratulations.
– Dale's High Admission Board.
My breath caught. My vision blurred.
Then I screamed. "Mum!"