Normal POV

The next morning Tracy woke up at 5:30 because of his latest nightmare about having to choose which college she wanted to attend in the fall. She had to choose between going back home to Michigan to go to Michigan State to study animal science or go to Jacksonville University to get a Bachelor's of Music degree. The eighteen-year-old only got three hours of sleep. Once she was awake enough, she went to the bathroom. She took a shower. After her hair was dry enough, she started to do her hair. She decided to do her hair up in a roped twisted pinwheel bun. Then she went to her closet and picked out a cream-colored Miso Embroidered Blouse, a hot pink H&M Jacket and a pair of Heydays Wine Red Suede Ankle Boots. She went to her dresser and got out some light denim blue Dondup Distressed Skinny Jeans. She laid everything down on her bed and got dressed. Afterward, she decided to make her bed. She walked over to her desk and opened her jewelry box to take out the 14KT Rose Gold Diamond Vintage-Style Star Burst Necklace her Uncle Joe gave her for her birthday.

She walks downstairs after taking her backpack off of her desk chair. She enters the kitchen and hangs her bag on the edge of her chair before sitting down. Christi turns around from the stove with a plate that has a scrambled egg sandwich on it. She also made her favorite smoothie, strawberry, banana, to drink. She sets everything down in front of her to see dark bags under Tracy's eyes.

"Honey, how much sleep did you get last night?" Christi asks.

"About three hours, I kept having the same dream about choosing what college to go to in the fall. You and dad were mad at me because I picked the wrong school and degree." Tracy says.

She kisses her on the forehead and fixes her hair before she says, "Honey, your father and I will not get mad at you over what school you decided to attend in the fall. As for the degree, you decide to pursue. We'll behind you all the way."

Tracy smiles and quickly inhales her breakfast. After she is finished eating, she gets up and slings her bag over her shoulder. Then walks over to the hook on the wall where her car keys are. She is about to take them off the hook when she hears her mom say, "I don't want you to drive to school today. It's not safe since you're so tired this morning."

Tracy turns around to face her mom. She sighs in defeat before she says, "Fine, I'll call one of my friends to give me a ride."

"Thank you, sweetie. I almost forgot you received a few letters from the Michigan State, Jacksonville University, and Ohio State admissions department in the mail yesterday," Christi says.

Christi walks over to the mail caddie that's near the phone on the wall. She takes Tracy's letters out. She walks back over to Tracy and gives them to her. Tracy takes the letters from her mom. She opens the outside pocket of her bag, places them inside, and zips it closed before putting it back on her shoulder again. Then goes back upstairs to her phone along with her purse. She puts it on her left shoulder, takes her phone off the charger and turns it on. She dials Kira's number and waits for Kira to pick up.

"Hey, Tracy, what's up I was just about to leave," Kira says.

"I need a ride to school this morning. I didn't get enough sleep last night, so my mom won't let me drive. Do you think that your mom could come to pick me up?" Tracy asks.

"Sure, my mom and I will be there in twenty minutes," Kira says.

"Thanks," Tracy says.

Meanwhile, at Kira's house, Kira puts her phone back in her pocket. Her mom, Sylvia, walks up. She looks just like Kira except her hair is shorter and has a few gray strands beginning to show. She is wearing a black Three Star Short Sleeve Plastic Button Chef Jacket, the matching vertical striped pants and a pair of slip-proof shoes.

"Who was that sweetie," Sylvia asks.

"My Friend Tracy, she needs a ride to school," Kira says.

"Doesn't she have her driver's license?" Sylvia asks perplexed.

"She does, but she didn't get much sleep last night. Her mom doesn't want her to drive." Kira answers.

"That sounds reasonable to me, but I preferred if you would have asked me first. I'll do it this time, even though I'll be five minutes late to work." Sylvia says.

They walk out to Sylvia's Electric Blue 2004 Saturn ION and get inside. Kira gives her mom the directions to get to Tracy's house. Twenty minutes later, they pull into Tracy's driveway. Inside the house, Tracy's hear the car horn. She is about to walk out the door. Christi meets up with her.

"I like to talk to Kira's mom to thank her for giving you a ride," Christi says.

"Sorry mom, but Kira texted me her mom is in a rush. She doesn't have time to talk." Tracy says.

"Okay, have a good day at school," Christi says.

Tracy says goodbye and heads out to Sylvia's car. Kira sees her walking up. She gets out pushes her seat forward so Tracy could get in. After she sat down, Kira pushes it back till she hears the click. When they buckle their seat belts, Sylvia starts the car.

"I'm sorry that I'm making you late to work Mrs. Ford. I appreciate you giving me a ride, though." Tracy says.

"It's okay, sweetie, and you're very welcome," Sylvia says.

Fifteen minutes later, they get to Reefside High. The girls get out, and Sylvia waves goodbye before driving away. The girls head inside and stop at Tracy's locker. Tracy opens it and empties her backpack. When she unzips the outside pocket to take out her pencil case and calculator the letters fall out onto the floor quickly gathers them up and stuffs them into the front cover of her science book. Then she closes it after getting everything else she needed for class, and they stop by Kira's locker before heading to science class.

They enter the room and go over to Dr. Oliver. He sees them walking up and open his briefcase.

"Good morning, you two, Tracy, I have something for you compliments of Hayley." Dr. Oliver says.

He hands her the box. Tracy opens it and takes out a bracelet/communicator.

"That's better. My wrist looked strange without having a bracelet on it. I thought my powers are blocked?" Tracy says as she places it on her right wrist.

"They are, Hayley built you a replica of your Dino bracelet, and it just acts a communicator. It doesn't have your morpher built into it." Dr. Oliver explains.

"Got it," Tracy says.

"What were those envelopes you stuffed into your book?" Kira asks.

"I got a letter from the admission office from a few of the colleges I applied to before I moved." Tracy answers.

"What schools did you apply to?" Dr. Oliver asks.

"Let's see Michigan State, Jacksonville University, Ohio State, Duke University and a few others that I can't remember off hand. I got letters from Michigan State, Jacksonville University, and Ohio State." Tracy replies.

"Don't you think that you should open them," Kira suggests.

Tracy looks over at the clock. She notices that they have about ten minutes before the rest of the class arrives. She looks back at her science book, opens it, and sets the letters down on the countertop.

"Which letter are you going to open first?" Kira asks.

"I don't know," Tracy answers honestly.

Tracy hears the door open. The rest of the gang walks in. Conner is the first one to say something.

"Hey, guys, what's up?" He asks.

"Nothing much just trying to decide with college letter I should open." Tracy answers, "Do you think you guys can help me decide."

"Sure," Ethan says.

"Yeah, you applied to Jacksonville University to study music. I'd love to see what they thought of application." Trent says.

"Me too," Kira adds.

Tracy takes the cues from friends, and nervously picks up the envelope. She swallows the lump in her throat before opening it and taking out the letter.

It reads as follows,

Dear Ms. Burlew,

Thank you for expressing interest in Jacksonville University. The Admissions Committee has given careful consideration to your Committee regrets to inform you that we are unable to offer you a place in the 2004 freshman class. You are a fantastic performer; however, we have had many other talented students who apply. Therefore, we had to turn away many desirable candidates. You may apply again for the same course next year. We thank you once again for your interest in our college and wish you success in all your future endeavors.

Sincerely,

Kelson Rey
Dean of Admissions

"What does it say?" Kira asks.

"I didn't get in. I guess I'm not a very good singer after all," Tracy sighs.

"Tracy, you're an amazing singer. A college can't accept every student that applies." Dr. Oliver says reassuringly.

"Dr. O is right; I think you should read the other letters," Kira says.

"Yeah, I vote for Michigan State," Ethan says.

Tracy puts the letter from Jacksonville U back inside the envelope. She picks up the letter from Michigan State and quickly opens it. The letter reads

Dear Ms. Burlew,

We are pleased to inform you of your admission in the course of Animal Science for the Michigan State fall semester of 2004-2005. We congratulate you on your academic achievement, and you have every reason to feel proud of your capabilities and aspirations that led you to Michigan State. I'd also like to inform you that the athletic department would like to offer you a scholarship to play softball; it will be worth $8,000.

Enclosed here with your college acceptance letter, you will find a detailed document about the college and the next steps of the admission. Make sure to submit your original academic records, three latest passport size photographs along with the first installment of the semester to the admission office by July 30th to complete the admission process.

Again, the entire Michigan State welcomes you and wishes you all the best for continued success. We look forward to seeing you at our college on September 2nd, 2004.

Sincerely,

John Mayor
Dean of Admissions

They see a huge smile appear on Tracy's face. She is trying hard not to shriek happily. She sets it down on the counter.

"I guess you got accepted," Ethan says.

"Yes," Tracy says, smiling.

"Congratulations," Dr. Oliver says.

"Yeah, Congrats," Trent adds.

"Thanks, I don't understand how I got a softball scholarship. I didn't even apply." Tracy says.

"You're aware that college recruiters were sitting in the stands at the championship game," Ethan says.

"No, I figured that coach Burns didn't say anything so we wouldn't get distracted," Tracy says.

"I guess that a recruiter from Michigan State must have been impressed with your skills," Conner says. "Coach Burns must have filled out the application for you after the recruiter mentioned it to him."

"I have to thank him, the next time I see him," Tracy says. "I guess I should open the letter from Ohio State,"

Tracy takes a few deep breaths to calm herself down from the excitement of getting accepted to Michigan State and going back home again. She picks up the letter from Ohio State and quickly breaks the seal on the envelope. Ohio State's letter reads,

Dear Ms. Burlew,

Thank you for expressing interest in Ohio State. The Admissions Committee has given careful consideration to your application.

The Committee regrets to inform you that we are unable to offer you a place in our first-year class. You have been a competitive applicant; however, we have had many students with similar qualifications applying for admissions this year. Therefore, we had to make the tough decision to turn away many desirable candidates. You may apply again for the same course next year.

We thank you once again for your interest in our college and wish you success in all your future endeavors.

Sincerely,

Olivia May
Dean of Admissions

Tracy sets the letter down. She puts all the letters back in her book and closes the front cover.

"Did you get in?" Conner asks.

"No, but it's okay. I get to go back home to Michigan." Tracy says.

"Tracy, are you going to tell your mom that you got accepted to Michigan State?" Ethan asks.

"Yeah, I'm going to tell her when I get home," Tracy answers eagerly.

A few seconds later they hear the warning bell ring, so they went over to their usual seats. They look over towards the door to see Mike walking in with Zoey and Grant. Tracy waves to Mike, but he just injured her. He walks over to the table where Zoey and Grant usually sit, and the three sit down.

"I can't believe you pulled that fake college letter gag," Zoey whispers.

"I can't believe that Tracy fell for it. She is such a dumb blonde." Grant whispers.

Zoey and Grant start chuckling to themselves. A few seconds later, Mike joins in. Dr. Oliver looks over at them.

I wonder why Mike is hanging out with Zoey and Grant. He is a brilliant young man. Why would he try to do anything that would hurt his chances of becoming valedictorian? Dr. Oliver thinks.