1 Month Later

Every single thing that I've worked toward the last 4 years all comes down to this second.

I'm sitting at the dining table in my kitchen with Jack standing to my left, Molly to my right, and my dad behind me, staring at my loading laptop screen.

I got an email from the Admissions team at Dartmouth about an hour ago letting me know that my application status had been updated. When I got the notification, I was grabbing a bite to eat with Jack, Molly, and Johnny, but the second I read the email, I knew that I had to sprint home. Luckily, Jack was as nervous as I was so he dropped a $100 bill on the table to cover 2 pizza pies and we made a run for his car.

Jack's rubbing my shoulder as Molly's holding onto my arm, and I can feel the anticipation in the air. It's nice to know that we're all in this together; that I have the support of the people that I love most in this world.

And, suddenly, I'm looking at my answer.

Dear Anastasia Moore,

On behalf of Dartmouth College, I am happy to congratulate you on your acceptance into our Undergraduate School of Arts & Sciences....

"AHHHHHHH!" Molly shrieks.

"OH MY GOD!" Jack exclaims.

"ANASTASIA!!!" Dad shouts.

And me? I'm too shocked to utter a word.

I've dreamt about this day my entire life; what it would feel like to be a Dartmouth alumni. And now I know. Everything that I've worked for, the dreams that I envisioned for myself...all of it was worth it.

While there were times where I wasn't sure of the outcome, I never doubted myself. I always believed I could accomplish something as big as this. And I was right.

"I can't believe it. I got in???" I shriek.

"You got in, babe," Jack excitedly says.

"I got in," I state, coming up to a stand and hugging him.

I go to hug my dad next and he tells me how proud he is of me, which makes me even more teary.

"I knew you could do it," Molly says.

"I think this calls for a celebration," dad says. "Dinner on me tonight! Cafe Pierre."

"Cafe Pierre? Mr. Moore, that place has like 4 dollar signs on Google," Molly says.

"I don't care if it has 10! My daughter just got into Dartmouth College. We're celebrating."

Despite the fact that Cafe Pierre is fancy, we don't bother to change into new clothes, and stay in our casual attire.

We're almost out the door when I call out to everyone, "Hey, give me a second. I have to make a quick call."

"Okay," dad says, and despite his curiosity, he doesn't question me.

Everyone makes their way to the car as I stay inside and dial the number on my cell phone.

"Hi," I respond when the voice picks up. "What are you doing tonight? I'd love it if you could join us for dinner."

***

The maître d' tells us that their next availability isn't until next week, which is what you have to expect walking into a 5-star French restaurant as beautiful as this one with no reservation.

"Mr. Moore, would you mind if I did something?" Jack asks. "My dad knows the owner."

"Go for it," dad says.

"Jack, we're going to be 5 people, not 4," I say before he can walk away. He gives me a nod, but my dad looks at me inquisitively.

Jack whispers something to the maître d', who nods with a smile on his face and then leads us to a booth in the back of the restaurant. This guy and his connections.

"Who's the fifth seat for?" Dad asks, and before I can answer, she approaches.

Lisa walks in wearing wide-legged jeans and a pretty blouse, her brown hair down. The more I see her, the more I notice the resemblance. We both have cupid bow lips and freckles that only shine in the light.

"I'm so glad you made it," I tell her when she gets to the table. She takes the seat in between Molly and my dad, and I notice that Jack and Molly appear confused. "Guys, this is Lisa. My mother."

The few moments of silence worry me, but leave it to Jack to break it.

"Hi. I'm Jack," he finally says, smiling at her with closed lips and reaching his hand out.

Lisa waves her finger in between the both of us. "This is...?"

I nod. "My boyfriend."

"Molly Lawson," Molly interjects, sticking her hand out to Lisa. "Stassie's bestie."

"Nice to meet you, Molly," Lisa says.

Jack moves his shoulder toward me and teasingly whispers, "Seems like you've been talking about me to your mom."

"Bragging about you," I correct him, and he gives me a quick peck on the lips.

From across the table, I catch dad smile at me like he's proud of me, and I feel good about this entire night.

2 hours go by, and I haven't had this much fun in a while. I wasn't nervous about everyone getting along with Lisa, but it is nice to see that that's actually the case. We're laughing and eating lots of good food, and at the end of the night, they order me a chocolate mousse cake that says 'Congratulations' on it.

"You're next," I tell Jack.

While he was planning on applying to that Creative Arts school, Jack had a change of heart once he learned more about the curriculum there. Now, he plans on submitting his application to Dartmouth in January. Not to appease his dad. Instead, he learned of an amazing writing course that they offer, which he plans on majoring in. While I want him to follow his dreams, I'm not complaining about the fact that we'll both be going to the same college if he gets in. He has the grades and the credentials, so I wouldn't put it past him if he does.

After dinner, we decide to take a little walk around the neighborhood. Jack, Molly, and I are a few steps ahead of my dad and mom. Sometimes, I catch myself calling her Lisa instead, but I want to fall out of that habit and into the one where I solely recognize her as my mother.

What I've come to learn about forgiveness, whether it be my relationship with Jack or my relationship with my mother, is that you'll never know just how strong your heart is until you learn to forgive who broke it.

We're human. We make mistakes. I mean, I'm guilty of always trying to be the ideal student or daughter, but how will I learn anything from perfection? How will I grow?

"Seems like Lisa and your dad are getting along," Jack tells me.

I twist my head around to look at them. Lisa's laughing at something dad just said. Here's hoping it wasn't one of his cheesy jokes.

"I know," I smile.

Jack smiles back at me and reaches for my hand. "I'm really proud of you, you know that?"

"None of this matters without you by my side," I tell him.

"Oh my God, yuck. Would you two get a room already?" Molly jokes from behind, and Jack and I start laughing.

"Hey, Lawson, what ever happened with you and Henry?" Jack asks Molly.

"We're just friends."

"His loss. Never liked the guy anyway."

"Hey," I nudge his shoulder. "Henry's a nice guy."

"Nice my ass," Jack mutters. "Lawson deserves better. What do you think about Johnny?"

"Yeah right, jackass," she says. "Johnny would never go for me."

"I wouldn't be too sure of that..."