I was tingly inside, I could barely feel my toes as I waltzed in the great hall that unfolded before my eyes. The architect definitely should have taken pride in this building I thought, trying to distract myself from the final exam that I was about to take.
I was in my final year of high school and after today I would prove that I am Medical School material and not just a pretty face as everybody will rush to think as I walked in any room. There were a lot at stake and that motivated the hell out of me.
"Soooo, how was it?!" my mom squealed as she hugged me when I got home.
My mom was literally a cheerleader, perky and full of life, ready to go all mama bear on everyone that would dare to treat me or my sister less then we deserved, and that was usually most of the time since she put us on a pedestal.
"I definitely killed it! Next stop medical school!" I replied, trying to match her excitement, however for a brief second there was an emotion that I have never seen on my mom's face, that would end up hunting me from that point on.
"Serena there is something that your father and I have to talk to you about"
OH shit.. there is literally pain portraying all over her face
"Is everything ok? Talk about what?" I blurted, trying to convey my distress.
"We should wait on your father, but there is no easy way to say this either way" she paused before visibly trying to muster all the courage in the world before opening her mouth again "We have been saving money from the day we have decided to adopt you in order for you to get any education you will see fit for yourself, never expected that along the way we will be blessed with another child, since the doctors were certain I can't get pregnant. But given the circumstances we doubt that we can support the Medical School fees. I am so sorry darling"
I froze. For a second all my dreams and ambitions crashed before my eyes, however I found the strength to wipe my mom's tears off her face and trying to comfort her. I can't even begin to understand what they must have been going through.
"We will figure out a way" she added in an attempt to comfort me right back
"Mom, it doesn't have to be your sacrifices, and if your mental health is at stake I don't want it in the first place. I will talk to Mr. Garcia, from what I recall his son received a scholarship, so everything can go as planned." I smiled, reassuring her that I am fighter and money should never be an impasse.
Mr. Garcia was my biology teacher who nurtured my potential since day one, and who jumped at any occasion to help me with any endeavors.
But who was I lying to, I was a mess, so I walked back to my room and crashed into the bed. If there was something I was more than grateful for, was the fact the my mom never treated me any differently than my sister, even if she was their biological daughter. Over the years I tried to find out about my birth parents, but was in vain, all the records were either sealed or they refused to tell me anything. I sighed, trying to relieve the pressure that has been forming in my chest all afternoon.
"Kids, we're leaving" I heard dad shouting from downstairs.
I almost forgot they had to go on my dad's business trip this afternoon.
I climbed out of bed gave them a hug, so did my sister, and after they made sure to tell us how much they love us and to take care of each other, they were gone.
For good.