Game Winner (Penalty Kill 3)

“I’m well, but a little nervous on why you called me down.” I sit across from Ms. Jones’ desk. The woman has always scared me ever since the first time I met her. Even though she has helped me so much, she still makes me nervous. I think it’s because she always looks above her wire-rimmed glasses at me, making her face look stern.

“There is no need to be nervous. I actually have good news.” She shuffles some paperwork around her desk before grabbing the file that she was hunting. “This is your school record.” She holds it up for me to see. “And a mistake has been made.” She slams the thick folder onto her desk and opens it.

“A mistake?” My mouth goes dry. What does she mean a mistake has been made? That’s impossible. I have decent grades. I take all my required classes. I even took a heavy load of classes the past couple semesters to ensure I would have enough credits.

Ms. Jones purses her lips and stares at me. “The last three semesters you took an overload of classes and passed them all, is that correct?”

I nod because I’m unable to speak.

She hums while flipping through a few sheets of paper. I’m not sure what to do or what’s going on. Is there something wrong with my classes? Am I not going to graduate in May? What will happen to my acceptance into law school? What will happen with Levi and me? I don’t think I can handle being apart from him for much longer. I clasp my hands together to keep them from shaking. I have the urge to scream at Ms. Jones to tell me what the hell is going on. Instead, I just stare at her.

“So, I have good news and bad news.” She closes the file and looks up at me. “Which do you want first?”

“The bad,” I choke out.

“You won’t be graduating when you thought you were.”

I can feel the tears building up behind my eyes, as my anger boils through me. What the fuck? I have done nothing, but bust my ass to get through college, and now I won’t be graduating. “So, what possibly could be the good news?” I hiss at her, my jaw clenched.

“Let me get this all out before you say anything, okay?”

I nod.

“First, dro

p the attitude. This isn’t the bad news. Second.” She reaches for a sticky note that is on her office phone. She hands it to me and there’s a name and number on it. “The reason you’re not graduating in May is because you’re going to in December. You’ve taken all the classes that’s required of you. That number is very important because it’s your new academic advisor in Pittsburgh. She is aware of the situation. You will need to contact her right away, so they can get your classes in order for the spring semester.”

“What?” I breathe out. “Are you kidding me?” I look down at the number in my hand, then back at Ms. Jones. “I’m going to PA in December?”

“Well, if everything works out right, you should be.” For the first time ever, Ms. Jones smiles at me. “Now, run along, and don’t let your grades slip because of this.”

The tears that are about to fall are because I’m happy. I nod and head out of her office. When I reach the bottom of the stairs, I stop and prop myself against the wall. I can hardly breathe from the happiness, excitement, and the feeling of accomplishment running through me. I did it. I’m officially going to law school and sooner than I had hoped. I’ll be just a few hours from Levi, and I’m closer to starting my career.

I remember the sticky note in my hand and that I need to call my new advisor. I slide down the wall and sit down. I grab my phone, a notebook, and a pen from my bag. I tell myself to calm down as I dial the number. I even say a silent prayer that she is in the office now. When the voice on the other line picks up, my heart skips a beat. I quickly tell her who I am and the purpose of my call.

“Oh, Ms. McCarthy, I’m so glad that you called.”

The smile on my face is actually hurting my cheeks because I can’t believe this is really happening to me. My new advisor is Mrs. Leigh. She’s a professor of domestic law at the school. She told me that my situation is unique, but it won’t be a problem for me to start in January. The one thing she wants me to make sure of is that my tuition is handled.

“That’s not a problem. I can call the financial aid department and handle that.”

“Well then, all you need to worry about is searching for an apartment. I will see you in January.”

I hold back my desire to jump up and down and squeal in happiness. “See you then.” I end the call and sit there for another moment.

All my hard work, my late night studying, and paper cuts from the law library have come down to this moment. I’m going to be a lawyer. Levi will be so proud. I gasp. Levi? I need to tell Levi! I quickly gather my things and race to my car.

I make it to my apartment in record time. I’m so excited and scared to tell Levi. Scared because I don’t want to cause him any more stress and excited because I’m going to be closer to him sooner than we thought. I take a deep breath, unlock the door, and walk in.

“What are you doing home?” Levi is still laying on the couch.

“Um.” I drop my bags onto the floor and walk over to him.

“How was dinner?” He asks.

“Um.” I sit down next to him and look down at the ground.

“Smarty, you’re worrying me. What’s wrong?” He rubs my back.