My mind is swirling with questions as I head home. The sun is starting to set, making the air slightly colder, so I pull my coat around me to protect myself from the wind.
What if Mom and Dad decide to lock me inside the house and just come up with a lie for me not to show up on presentation day?
Would the royal army come after me? Or would they simply pretend I wasn't accepted in the first place?
Am I this important for them to move across the kingdom to get me?
"Hettie!" a voice calls from the distance.
I turn around to see Hans running, waving his hand for me to wait. He reaches me and bends down, supporting his hands on his knees so he can catch his breath.
"I hope you didn't look this out of shape back there," I chuckle, watching him stand straight again, his breathing still erratic.
"Very funny." He rolls his eyes, then smiles at me. "Youdid it! I mean, I didn't doubt you would, but it's…exciting, right?
I nod, unable to hide how thrilled I am.
"I'm sorry about earlier," he continues. "I was just shocked to see you there. I thought your parents would ground you for eternity if they caught you."
I dismiss him with a shake of my head. "It's fine. And that is still a possibility."
"What are you going to do?" He narrows his eyes, his lips turning into a thin line of concern.
I shrug, resuming my walk home. "I don't know. Just tell them, I guess. I think it's best to just pull out the band-aid at once, don't you think?"
I stare at the acceptance letter in my hands, and my stomach sinks to my feet.
"Yeah, I think you're right," Hans agrees quietly, his eyes focused on the road ahead of us.
We walk in silence until I reach my house.
"Wish me luck," I say, my hand freezing on the doorknob.
"You'll be fine," he assures me with a sharp nod. "Band-aid, remember?"
I watch him disappear down the street before swallowing the lump in my throat and walking inside. The house is eerily quiet, but I can sense my parents' presence in the living room.
As soon as I show up at the doorway, their heads snap at me, concerned looks stamped on both their faces.
"Where the hell have you been, Hettie?" my mom asks, standing from the couch.
Okay, here we go…
It's my future that's at stake, and I need to make them understand that. I'm no longer a child, and they have to let me decide what I want to do with my life.
"I was at the square." My voice comes out less confident than I intended, but I lift my chin, trying to show some determination. But the look in her face as she widens her eyes at me, pure shock crossing them, breaks me completely.
She is not angry.
Instead, she looks…terrified.
"What were you doing at the square, Hettie?" She pronounces every word carefully, as if the way she delivers them will change my answer.
"I enrolled in the Academy."
Ripping the band-aid. That is better than beating around the bush or even lying to them.
"You did what?" My father gets on his feet, his nostrils flaring.
My grip on the letter tightens as they both stare at me.
"I enrolled in the Academy and was accepted!" I repeat, more excited this time. A smile spreads across my lips as I look at them expectantly, hoping my happiness is enough to convince them I did the right thing.
"Randall…" Mom whispers, stumbling backward as if she is about to faint. My father grabs her, supporting her frame with his arms around her.
"Mom!" My hand reaches for her, but Dad takes a step back, creating a small distance between us that feels more like an abyss.
"Do you have any idea of what you did?" he asks, and I wish I could erase his disappointment from my brain.
My mom leans into him, trembling. I was expecting her to go crazy and tell me I'm not going, but I was not expecting to see her so distraught.
"I will be fine, Mom. Nothing will happen to me if that's what you're worried about."
If she is afraid that I'll get hurt, I want to reassure her that this is what the Academy is for. If they didn't think I had potential, they wouldn't have approved me.
"May, come, take a seat." Dad guides her back to the couch and sits her down, handing her a glass of water from the table.
I watch the scene, unable to move, too confused and guilty.
"You won't go," he simply informs me from across the room. "You can't."
I frown. "What do you mean I can't? I'm going, Dad. I was approved. Can't you guys support me for once? I never asked you anything. Every other parent on this continent would be proud of their kids. Why can't you do the same for me?" I blurt, tears swelling in my eyes.
I wasn't intending to cry. But now, my heart is shrinking and hurting as I realize my parents will never be proud of me and support me, no matter what I do. I'll always be the kid who needs protection. They will never see me as someone who has her own dreams and will.
They exchange a hurt look but remain quiet.
I sneer and turn my back on them, storming up the stairs and into my room. Tears blur my vision, and I wipe my eyes aggressively with the back of my hand. The door slams loudly, and I slide against it until I'm on the floor. I hug my knees to my chest and take deep breaths, forcing air into my lungs.
This is a disaster.
I'm entirely on my own now. I will get to the capital and into the Haldorian Academy, become the warrior I want to be, but I'll have no one to cheer for me or be happy when I accomplish it.
I hate to feel sorry for myself, but how can I not?
"What do we do now?" My mom's muffled voice reaches me from downstairs, and I hold my breath, perking my ears.
I don't think they can do anything about it, but I still want to know what kind of crazy thoughts are going through their heads.
"There's nothing we can do, May. She's already been accepted," Dad answers.
Their voices are too low, so I stand on my feet. Doing all I can to not make a noise, I pull the door open by an inch so I hear them clearly.
"She can't go, Randall. She can't leave Brammere," Mom cries.
Why is she being so dramatic? God, I won't die inside the Academy. Can't she have a little faith in me?
I clench my teeth, leaning against the doorframe.
"I know." My father sounds defeated. "But we can't forbid her. She was formally accepted. We'll simply have to face the consequences."
A crease surges between my brows. Consequences? Of what? Me going to the Academy as any other young person on this continent?
"He'll know soon," my mother sobs.
He?
Who is he, and why would it matter?
What the fuck is going on?