Typically on Thursdays, Big Mommas usually have fortune cookie night when they give every customer a cookie. Catalina, Meadow, and I always loved reading their fortunes since they usually come true in an odd way. Like two weeks ago, Catalina's reading stated she would get accepted into a new area of life.

Yesterday, we all found out, we got accepted into Silverlake University. It was the only college that would accept students with grades as low as ours. By the skit of my teeth, I managed to boost my GPA to two points nine. One downside was I didn't get accepted into the nursing program.

Instead, I was on the waitlist — whatever the heck that meant. Catalina and Meadow both decided to pursue liberal arts until they determine their future career. It seemed like I'm following their leads since I'm apparently not good enough for nursing.

"Here guys, have a great day," our server beamed, dropping off the cookies and took the money needed for the bill.

"Maybe I should eat yours since you gained some weight, Meadow." Catalina stole two cookies, leaving only one remaining.

"It's not my fault! There is so much good food in the world, how can you not eat it." Meadow pointed out, somehow snatching the fortune cookie from Catalina's grasp.

"Okay, is everyone ready?" Catalina asked, shifting gazes between the both of us.

Our tradition before eating our fortune cookies was to make a wish. Ironically, wishes aren't really doing any wonders for me so anyone with a brain would give up on them, but I always have hope. I believe if we put good out to the world, that good will return back to us. It's like one of my life's mottos.

"Yes!" I exclaimed, clutching the cookie close to my chest.

"Okay. 1,2,3," Meadow counted down, and we instantly closed our eyes, mumbling our wishes.

"I wished to do well in college," Meadow said.

"I wished for this year to finally be the year to get a boyfriend," Catalina added.

However, I didn't want to admit my wish. I wholeheartedly believe if I say it out loud, it won't come true and I can't have that. All I want for this year was for everything to work out-- college, friendships, my relationship with Declan, and most importantly for everyone I care about to be happy forever.

"Damn... Lana, you're being serious." Catalina giggled.

"Without saying a word, we both obviously know what she's wishing for," Meadow added.

"Okay, ready to open the cookie?" I asked, feeling my heart burst with excitement.

"Yup." they both agreed in unison.

The sound of our cookies cracking echoed in the store. After stuffing the broken cookie in my mouth, I stretched the fortunate enough to be able to read it.

'The person you are waiting for will come.'

"Good for you, Lana!" Meadow smiled.

"What should I do?" I wondered, tapping my chin with my pointer finger.

"Mine says, 'The person you care about won't come but you will hear from them'," Catalina recited from her paper.

Meadow's eyebrows scrunched together, forming a crease between them. "Mine says, 'Focus on studies since they're there for you when others are not'."

Should I really get more enthusiastic? Was there a chance of Declan ever returning the romantic feelings I felt for him? The world was filled with many uncertainties, but sometimes I wished I knew what would happen. If going all-in would work out in the end-- or if it would only end in heart-wrenching heartbreak.

"Ambrose hasn't been to school since Monday," Catalina said, between chews.

"Yeah, I'm starting to get a bit worried. It's not normal for him to skip school," I commented, an uneasy feeling resting in my gut.

"I'm sure he will turn up soon," Meadow responded.

"Mmm... yeah."

My father mentioned not staying out too late since he wanted to speak to me earlier in the morning. For what, I wouldn't know, nor did I really think about it until I rang the doorbell. My father opened the door with a ginormous grin on his face and grabbed my hand before I could speak. When we entered the living room, it was decorated with balloons, streamers, Champagne bottles, and most importantly desserts.

The cake was the hues of soft summer roses, everything from champagne color to dusky pink. Underneath the roses was the white buttercream that formed little ridged lines throughout the cake. Strawberries and Kiwis were assorted on the top, holding the little custom-made sign which said, Congratulations, Lana for being accepted to SilverLake University.

"I-I I'm lost for words," I stammered, my eyes widened at the sight of the yummy cake.

"Come on, let's cheer for Lana, on being accepted," Declan's father said, grabbing the bottle opener on the table and causing the cork to bounce into the air.

After everyone had their own glasses, we all clicked drinks together except Declan and Sam ignored my cheers.

"Congratulations to Lana!" Declan's mom singsong.

"Everyone let's eat," my father suggested, reaching over for the large knife and preparing to cut slices of the cake.

"Thank you very much, everyone," I laughed, taking a sip of my Apple Cider.

"It feels like it was yesterday when you were a little girl and now you're heading to college in the Fall. There's no doubt that your mother is smiling in heaven," my father croaked, suddenly getting choked up from the emotional conversation.

"Aww, Dad," I cooed, rubbing his back in reassurance.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to get so emotional," my father sniffled, using his empty hand to dry his tear-streaked cheeks.

"Now, we have to wait for Declan's acceptance letters," Declan's father commented.

"He's not stupid like Lana so we can expect dozens of acceptance letters, especially from NYU," Sam stated, stretching his hand towards the cake and grabbing one of the strawberries.

"Oh, yeah, I almost forgot," I interrupted, leaning down into my bag to bring out the present I had planned for Declan. "Here, Declan, this is for you. I was able to get into a university because you helped me with my studies, so it's the least I can do."

His parents beamed while Declan stared down at the odd-shaped gift with a puzzled expression.

"Aww how sweet is Lana," his mother cooed, "Hurry and open it, Declan."

Complying, Declan unwrapped the golden wrapping I managed to get around the platinum circular slender object. Hopefully, he appreciated the gift: I spent all day at the mall with my girlies because I kept being indecisive. As I smiled brightly, I kept my gaze down on my lap, afraid to see the outcome of his reaction.

"What is that?" Sam asked, seizing from Declan's grasp. Declan's eyebrow was raised with an amused expression as he challenged my gaze.

"I'm not sure. I think it's a back massage or something." I shrugged my shoulder, suddenly feeling embarrassed over my present.

Accidentally, Sam pressed the button on the bottom of the long cylinder rod, causing the entire machine to vibrate and make buzzing noises. Our parents covered their mouths as they let out little snickers here and there. I'm so confused. Is my gift really that bad?

"Lana, honey, I thi-." Declan signaled for his mother to stop speaking, only letting my mind be consumed by confusion.

"The gift is for headaches and backaches since Declan studies so hard, sometimes you just need a good relaxer," I explained.

"This is stupid," Sam replied, handed the present back over to Declan.

"Anyway." Declan's father cleared his throat. "Our Declan has an interview scheduled for NYU tomorrow, right?"

"I haven't decided if I want to go to college at all," Declan confessed, causing everyone single one of our mouths to fall open in utter shock. He snagged one of the cake slices and started munching with no care in the world.

Declan doesn't want to go to college? That's literally insane; any college would probably accept him around us with no problem. All of a sudden he has a change of heart? He's spent his entire high school career earning the best grade in the state to only give up? Sometimes I wondered what went on in his precious brushed head.

While I was showering, my mind expanded on the idea of Declan and I being apart. Technically, we would still live together, but going to the same school wouldn't be a luxury anymore. Neither could I hold it against him; it's his future after all, and I support his career choices. Still, these last weeks are potentially the final moments we share together in school.

In order to preserve my sanity, the idea of making a lucky charm appeared in my head. One it seemed quite enjoyable and two it would help Declan succeed in whichever path he decided to go down upon.

Poking my head past the kitchen wall, I saw Declan's mother cleaning the dishes and asked, "Can I borrow your sewing kit?"

"Sure, one second," she answered, drying the bowl in her hand with a towel.

The kit was filled with dozens of patterns, which basically was every creative girl's dream. Eventually, after five minutes of hard brainpower, I decided on an aqua blue plaid pattern and used hot pink thread to write 'Good Luck'.

"Don't rush. Take your time, you're getting the hang of it," Declan's mother encouraged.

"Sure," I quickly replied.

"Is that for Declan?" she asked, pursing her lips.

"It is," I admitted.

Suddenly a burning sensation emerged on my cheeks.

"Thank you, Lana! Thank you for always worrying about my son." she smiled, caressing my back with such affection.

"D-o y-ou," I cleared my throat. "Do you think Declan was serious about not attending college?"

"Who knows with him," she sighed, slightly tilting her head, causing her bangs to shift slightly. "I don't think going to college is the problem, it could be that his father has too many expectations. You see, Novak has attended NYU as well and has been dreaming for his son to follow in his footsteps. Perhaps these expectations are putting too much pressure on him."

Everything made sense-- heck, if I was expected to complete four years of a prestigious University and had a company waiting for me to take over, I might want to avoid college. But it isn't like Declan to sink into pressure; there had to be another reason why he was having second thoughts.

Once I finished the charm, I helped tidy the mess I created and sunk in a deep breath of courage. Tonight, I was going to give him this charm whether it is the last thing I do! Please, the lord of teddy bears from above, allow Declan to finally accept something I created.

Hesitating, I knocked on the door, and immediately heard him say, "Yes?"

Poking my head through the door, I saw his muscular figure facing away from my direction and seemed focused on a book on his desk. My stomach instantly tingled as the butterflies flew in circles.

"Can I borrow you for a second?" I asked, with a nice friendly smile.

He didn't reply, so I decided to enter the room anyway, and closed the door behind me. Declan seemed preoccupied with the book, switching pages as I stepped closer to him. Shrugging, I placed the charm on his desk, patting it with extra magic luck.

"Your big interview is tomorrow so I mad-, wait, you're going right?" I asked with genuine.

Finally, he tore his gaze off his pages and stared at my charm for a short two seconds before returning to his book. I'm not surprised.

"I confirmed the appointment," he remarked.

"Great!" I smiled.

The silence between us was suffocating every millisecond that ticked by with neither of us talking, but I don't know what to say.

"Unless you have another school in mind, but I think your parents would be very happy if you attended NYU. I always gave my dad a hard time, I wished I had opportunities like you do to make my dad happy. Well, anyway, that's all," I ended my rant on a high note.

"What are you planning to do in college?" he asked, capturing my full attention.

"What am I planning to do?" I muttered, pursing my lips. "Mmm... probably study hard and make friends," I heartily smiled.

"You are going there to study, which you don't enjoy at all," he mentioned, causing my smile to disappear.

I didn't appreciate being called out like that.

"I don't understand, why is everyone obsessed with going to college?"

"All I know is that colleges are supposed to be with people who love studying and knowledge someone like you," I replied.

"I don't want to go to college. Why do I need someone to teach me in college things I already know?" Declan scoffed.

"But in order to get a good job in the future, you will need the qualifications to do so," I clarified.

He turned to face me, his gaze was soft with wonder. "What do you want to do?"

"Nursing because of my mom," I answered.

"Mmmm, it seems like we both had our paths written out already," he muttered, rushing his hand through his messy brown locks.

"Usually most people figure out what they want to do during college. At least that's what Catalina and Meadow planned to do," I added. "What do you want to do in the future? I think you shouldn't keep your genius brain for yourself. You should utilize it to better the world."

"You are amazing."

Those three words almost made my heart stop. Everything inside of me came to a complete standstill. It felt nice to be complemented by someone you viewed so highly above yourself. I don't even think I'm blinking anymore or smiling.

"I always wondered, 'Why does she put so much energy into things?' You put your blood, sweat, and tears into it, yet why can't you do it? I was impressed," he rested his chin on the palm of his hand, which was leaning on the desk.

The smile disappeared faster than it presented.

My eyebrows scrunched together, and I asked, "Are you being sarcastic?"

"I wish I could be like that," he mumbled, staring deeply outside his window which was located in front of his desk.

I'm not entirely sure if he complimented me or backhand insulted me. His little explanation was a jumbled mess in my head. Pouting, I played with my hair strand, using it to create a mustache above my lips.

"I should probably go to bed since I have an early day tomorrow," Declan stated.

"Yeah, you're right. Good night," I grinned as he walked over to his closet, probably looking for a change of pajamas. "I'm going to put this charm in your bag so you don't forget," I whispered the ending for myself and tied the string on one of the hooks of his bag.

You can do it, Declan.

I have so much faith in you.

Who else had second-hand embarrassment when Declan opened her gift? I sure did when I wrote it but hopefully, I made you guys laugh!!

Love you guys and thank you for continue reading Lana's journey!!