They Thought I Failed—Until I Turned Down Harvard Chapter 04
After Senior Awards Night, everyone began filing out of the school.
Mom, Dad, and Ethan didn’t notice I wasn’t with them until they reached the parking lot.
“Jenny, why are you walking all the way back there by yourself?”
I didn’t answer.
I got into the car on my own and took the seat in the very back.
They didn’t ask again.
The car had barely pulled away before they were excitedly talking about college.
“Olivia, you and Ethan will both be at Harvard. We’ll feel better knowing he’ll be there to look out for you.”
Olivia nodded, cheeks flushing.
Then my parents started discussing what she should study.
They disagreed for a while, then laughed and gave up.
“Fine. Let Olivia decide for herself. She’s always been smart and knows what she wants. Unlike Jenny, she never makes us worry.”
I stayed silent.
We were almost home when Mom seemed to remember I was there.
“Jenny, what are you going to do now?”
Before I could answer, Ethan answered for me.
“Mrs. Carter, Jenny probably didn’t get the results she wanted. She might take a gap year and apply again next year.”
“It’s okay. Olivia and I will go to Harvard first. Once Jenny gets in next year, she can join us.”
My parents exchanged a look.
Dad sighed.
“Jenny, if only you gave us half as little trouble as Olivia.”
I blinked.
My UC San Diego acceptance and Regents Scholarship notice were right there on my screen.
They had never actually asked me.
One sentence from Ethan was enough for them to decide I had failed.
I sold off the jewelry my parents had given me over the years, along with the birthday and Christmas gifts Ethan had bought me.
Together with the birthday money, Christmas money, and savings from summer jobs I had put away over the years, I finally had enough.
My scholarship covered most of my tuition.
The rest would cover my flight, housing deposit, and my first few months of living expenses.
When everything was taken care of, I packed my UC San Diego acceptance letter into my suitcase.
By the time I dragged my suitcase out of my room, the house was empty.
Ethan called me.
“Jenny, I found a few college counseling programs you could do during your gap year.”
“After the party today, I’ll go with you to talk to them.”
I looked at the family photo hanging in the living room.
“What party?”
Ethan paused.
“The Harvard send-off party for me and Olivia, obviously.”
So everyone had gone.
Everyone except me.
Just like the family group chat.
Everyone was in it.
Except me.
“My parents and yours figured that since Olivia and I are both going to Harvard, we might as well have one send-off party together.”
“Okay.”
I was past disappointment. I didn’t even want to argue anymore.
Ethan finally seemed to notice something in my voice, and his tone softened.
“Jenny, we didn’t invite you because we didn’t want you to feel bad.”
“You’re taking a gap year, after all. When you get in next year, we’ll throw you an even better party all to yourself.”
A dull ache spread through my chest.
“Ethan, actually, I—”
Olivia’s voice came through the phone.
“Ethan, come on. It’s starting.”
I had been about to tell him the truth.
And end everything between us while I was at it.
But Ethan had already hung up.
I stood in the living room and took one last look at the house where I had grown up.
Then I picked up my suitcase and left for the airport without looking back.
…
Mom and Dad sat near the front, watching Olivia and Ethan with obvious pride.
Dad suddenly said, “You know, Olivia and Ethan actually look pretty good together.”
Mom straightened and smacked him hard on the arm.
“What are you talking about? You know Jenny has always liked Ethan.”
At the mention of my name, an uneasy emptiness settled over them.
“I wonder where Jenny’s planning to spend that gap year.”
Just then, Mom’s phone rang.
“Mrs. Carter? This is Ms. Bennett, Jenny’s college counselor.”
Mom put her on speaker and answered cheerfully.
Ms. Bennett continued, “I just saw that Jenny confirmed her enrollment at UC San Diego. Where are you holding her send-off party? May I come celebrate with her?”
Mom’s smile froze.
Embarrassment flickered across her face.
“Ms. Bennett, are you sure? Jenny didn’t get the results she wanted this year. She’s planning to take a gap year and apply again.”
Ms. Bennett sounded genuinely confused.
“Mrs. Carter, are you joking? Jenny was accepted to Harvard. She ultimately chose UC San Diego, and she received a Regents Scholarship. Why on earth would she be taking a gap year?”