Emily listened quietly.
Her fingers unconsciously tapped lightly on the couch armrest.
Her little brother's reasons sounded a bit idealistic, maybe even a little risky, but the logic wasn't completely crazy.
Especially the stuff about industry positioning and that young rebellious energy of choosing the unconventional path—it reminded her of how Ethan had always been restless as a kid, always looking for creative solutions instead of following the obvious route.
Finally, she didn't push further. She just nodded slightly, tone light but serious:
"Your reasoning holds up. But Ethan, you picked this road yourself, so you better walk it well. Don't waste that valedictorian title, and don't squander the unique perspective this choice gives you."
"Don't worry, Em! I'm gonna kill it, I promise!"
Ethan breathed a massive sigh of relief and quickly patted his chest for emphasis.
"Jack."
Emily's eyes immediately shifted to the figure at the dining table who was trying to make himself invisible.
"Yes ma'am!"
Jack practically jumped out of his chair at attention.
Ethan barely kept from cracking up.
"Have you figured out your plan?"
Emily's tone was a bit gentler, but that big-sister authority was still very much present.
Jack swallowed nervously, glanced at Ethan, then said carefully:
"Emily, I... my scores were decent, got a 1320. Ethan helped me analyze options like a million times, and after talking it over with my parents forever, I finally decided to apply to Georgia Tech."
"Georgia Tech?"
Emily raised her eyebrows slightly:
"Strong engineering school. Great reputation in aerospace, optics, and computer science especially. Industry respect is solid. With a 1320, you should be able to get into a good engineering program there without too much trouble."
She thought for a moment and nodded:
"That's a smart, practical choice."
Jack couldn't believe his ears!
Emily actually PRAISED him?!
The sheer shock made his dark face seem to light up:
"Really, Emily? Thank you! I'm gonna work my butt off, I swear!"
Emily looked at his earnest expression, a faint smile flickering in her eyes, her tone maintaining that signature cool detachment:
"College isn't like high school. Self-discipline and planning matter more than anything. You need to actually study your major, but also think strategically about your future direction."
"Yes, absolutely! I'll follow your advice!"
Jack nodded so hard and fast he looked like one of those bobblehead dolls.
While they were talking, Emily checked the time:
"I've been traveling all day. Gonna shower and change. You guys should get ready too, we need to leave soon."
"Got it, Em!"
Ethan and Jack responded in unison, their tones both relieved and lighter.
....
When Emily finished showering and emerged from her room wearing a simple, fresh light blue sundress, it was almost six PM.
The golden glow of the setting sun poured through the windows, adding a layer of soft warmth to her usually cool demeanor.
She grabbed her purse and said calmly:
"Let's go."
Ethan jingled his keys and suggested:
"Em, wanna take the scooters? Traffic's gonna be brutal right now, we'll get there way faster!"
"Sure."
Emily nodded.
So.
Ethan rode his electric scooter with his sister on the back, and Jack followed close behind on his own.
The three of them caught the slightly cool evening breeze, zipping briskly through familiar streets heading toward Ocean View Restaurant.
The evening air gently brushed through Emily's long hair. She watched the familiar scenery and bustling crowds on both sides of the street, listening to her brother and Jack bickering about something stupid.
She took it all in quietly, and that trace of exhaustion in her eyes gradually softened into a familiar, stable sense of belonging.
....
Ocean View Restaurant, Peony Room!
When Ethan and the crew pushed open the private dining room door, there was already laughter and animated conversation inside.
The four parents—Robert Miller, Linda Miller, James Thompson, and Carol Thompson—were already seated and chatting enthusiastically.
Several elegant appetizer plates were already on the table, their delicate aromas floating subtly through the air.
"Emily's back!"
"Sweetie, come here and let me get a good look at you!"
"Our genius girl finally made it home!"
All four parents' eyes immediately landed on Emily, and huge smiles bloomed on everyone's faces.
Emily stepped forward with a warm smile, greeting each one, her demeanor calm and gracious without losing that respectful junior vibe.
"Hello everyone!"
Ethan and Jack followed right behind, greeting in unison.
"Perfect timing, sit down, sit down!"
James Thompson's voice boomed as he waved them over with a grin:
"We were just waiting for you three!"
Everyone settled into their seats, Emily naturally sitting between her parents.
Jack's mom took Emily's hand and looked her up and down, eyes full of affection and admiration:
"Emily, you just keep getting more amazing! Beautiful and brilliant! Was the program tough? Look at your face, honey, you look tired! Are you eating enough?"
Linda also nodded with a smile, her tone mixing maternal pride with concern:
"I know, right? This kid's been so disciplined since she was little, doesn't think about anything except studying. Her dad and I keep telling her not to push herself too hard."
Emily smiled gently and shook her head, tone soft but firm:
"Mrs. Thompson, Mom, I'm fine, really. I'm used to it. The work is demanding, but it's also fulfilling."
James Thompson picked up his water glass and sighed with genuine feeling:
"Emily's really made us all proud, you know? Top student at one of the best schools on the East Coast, now accepted to an elite grad program with full funding—the sky's the limit for this girl! She's the real deal, the perfect role model."
He said this while turning his gaze to Jack, who was trying his absolute best to become invisible, and shot him a look:
"If THIS kid of ours could achieve even HALF of what you've done, Emily, his mother and I would die happy!"
Jack could only give an awkward smile and tried to shrink closer to Ethan.
Robert patted his old friend on the shoulder and jumped in with a laugh:
"Come on, James, you're being too hard on Jack—he gave us all a huge surprise this year with those SAT scores!"
He turned to Emily:
"Em, you don't know this yet, but Jack here was borderline struggling at the start of senior year, barely pulling Cs. But this time? He absolutely crushed it with a 1320! Complete turnaround!"
"Dad, I actually already heard about it at home!"
Emily replied with a smile, then turned to James, her tone sincere:
"Exactly, Mr. Thompson! Jack did really great this time! That score gives him tons of solid options—he can safely apply to a bunch of good state schools and even some reach programs."
Her eyes showed clear approval.
Robert continued joking with James, affection in his tone:
"So what do you say, James? Those scores enough to make you feel vindicated? Remember all those parent-teacher conferences where you got called in for 'special discussions'? Now you can finally hold your head high!"
James laughed and clapped his son on the back—the movement was rough, but the pride practically radiating from him was impossible to miss:
"Exactly! This kid finally came through when it mattered! Didn't embarrass the family after all!"
He cheerfully raised his glass and called out loudly:
"Come on, Robert, we gotta toast to that! To our kids!"
"Cheers!"
Robert raised his glass with a grin and clinked it crisply.
Carol also turned sideways and smiled at Linda:
"Linda, you should've seen it—the day the scores came out, James was literally SHAKING while staring at the computer screen! When he saw that 1320, oh my god, him and Jack were screaming so loud in the house that our neighbor came over and yelled at them! The guy's STILL mad three days later!"
"Hahaha!"
The whole table erupted in knowing laughter, the private room filling with this joyful, warm atmosphere.
Jack's dark face turned even redder with embarrassment as he muttered:
"Mom! Can you NOT?!"
"What's there to be embarrassed about? Good scores are all that matter!"
James waved his hand, in an absolutely fantastic mood.
There are 70 advance chapters ahead in my Patreon. If you are interested can check it out.
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