The Long Awaited Result

As the image fully downloads, my eyes widen in shock, my body freezing in place, unable to move or process the revelation.

What?!

I scored...

I have to tell my mom about this.

I immediately leap out of bed, leaving my phone behind, and sprint out of my room like a shot, my toes tapping out a staccato rhythm on the icy-cold floor.

The chill sends a shiver up my spine, and my heart races with excitement, leaving me breathless, and my lungs burn as I gasp for air.

I emerge into the living room, my heart racing with ragged breaths.

The room seems to spin around me, and I grasp the wall for support, my fingers digging into the cool paint.

My mom watches me from the couch with a sharply raised brow.

It's not like my room is far from the living room, but I'm panting like I just ran an 800-meter race.

I force myself to move, my trembling legs giving way as I collapse onto the couch, its soft cushions enveloping me in a warm embrace.

The flashes from the TV catch my eye and draw me to the Indian movie playing on the screen.

Is she still watching that?

I shake my head and then I fix my eyes back on her.

"What's the problem," she asks.

I take a deep breath, and once I've caught my breath, I respond, "I want to tell you something."

"Go ahead, dear, what is it?"

I sniffle, my nose stuffed up from crying so much that my eyes feel puffy. I can taste the saltiness of my tears as I lick my lips.

"Well, I'll just get straight to the point."

My mom's eyes lock onto mine, her eyebrows slightly furrowed in concern.

"I've seen my results."

My mom's eyes widen, her head jerking back slightly in surprise.

"You have?"

I nod, my lips curling up into a smile. "Hmm, I have seen it already."

"What did you score?"

I part my lips to speak, but my mom beats me to it. "Was it a good mark?" she asks, her eyes searching mine for a hint of the answer.

I shrug, a smirk playing on my lips. "I don't know."

"Hey Mandy, this is no time to be joking around. Tell me what you scored already."

I chuckle, "Guess what I scored."

She frowns in response, then squints as if trying to read my mind.

I chuckle again, enjoying the suspense.

"You silly girl, tell me what you got already."

I sigh, pretending to be put upon. "Okay, fine. I scored 240."

My mom's eyes widen in surprise, her mouth forming a perfect "O".

"240?" she repeats.

I nod, feeling a sense of pride and accomplishment.

"That's amazing, Mandy! Have you told your dad?"

I shake my head, "Not yet, I just saw it now."

"Hmm okay. Did they say anything about admission or..."

I shake my head once more, "They haven't said anything yet, it's just conversation about the results that's been going on so far."

My mom's face lights up with a warm smile. "Ooh I see. You took after me, didn't you?"

I burst out laughing, my hands flying up to cover my mouth.

It's a familiar joke, one that my mom always pulls out when I ace an exam.

"What's funny? Isn't that true?" She asks.

I wave both my hands, still chuckling. "No no, it's true!"

"When I was your age, I usually got first in class, and my dad would always take me out when I came home with good results."

I nod slowly with a smirk, my eyes fixed on hers. "Hmm, oh really?

"Of course!"

I grin, "Well, I did get a good mark, you should also celebrate me for my hard work."

"Hmm," she nods, her face lighting up with a warm smile. "That's indeed a fantastic idea!"

Her words send my heart soaring. "Oh really?" I ask, my voice trembling with excitement.

"Of course! I'll prepare your favorite fried chicken with drinks on Sunday. What do you say?"

I leap out of my chair, my eyes shining with joy. "You would?"

"Hmm, yes, I would," she replies, her nod reassuring.

I throw my arms around her neck, holding her tight.

"Take it easy, okay?" she says with a chuckle.

I squeeze her tight, my eyes closed in gratitude. "Thanks, Mom, thank you, thank you, thank you!"

She chuckles, "you deserve it, dear."

I open my eyes, then draw back. "I'll let Dad know now."

"Sure thing, dear," she says.

I nod, then turn around to leave, but the loud banging on our gate makes me spin around, scowling.

"Who's knocking like that?" I hear my mom ask, her voice tinged with both annoyance and suprise.

Who on earth could be so ridiculously thoughtless?!

"Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!"

My fists clench involuntarily, and I look down at my mom, who's gazing out the window.

"Mom, I'll go see who it is."

She nods in agreement. "Okay, dear."

With that, I storm towards the exit, where our curtain blocks the direct entrance, then fling it open with a loud bang.

I scan the hall for Avin, and spot him looking up at me with innocent eyes from his bed.

I must have woken him up with the loud bang.

I tear my gaze away from him and stomp towards the exit, my arms swinging in frustration.

The banging persists, and I clench my fists in annoyance.

Who could be knocking so incessantly?

I push open the glass door and step out into the bright chilly air, feeling the cold on my skin as i wear my green Crocs.

My Crocs scrape loudly against the cemented ground, but the sound is overshadowed by the constant banging on the gate.

"Bang! Bang! Bang!"

"Shut up already, I'm coming!" I blurt out the words without thinking.

The knocking just won't stop!

I pick up my pace, my legs eating up the ground as I hurry to the gate.

"Bang! Bang! Bang!"

As I reach the gate, my hands swiftly and skillfully unbolt it, my mind racing to see who's behind the incessant knocking.

I grasp the black metal handle and pull it open with force, ready to confront the person who dared to disturb me so rudely.

My lips twitch as I glare at the guy, his fist hovering in mid-air.

My grip on the handle tightens, ignoring his features except for his piercing white eyes with dark pupils.

I notice his lips curving into a smile, and I grit my teeth, feeling the urge to lash out at him like I did with Peter and Nonso when they annoyed me.

His clenched fist opens, revealing a pale palm, as if bloodless. And then he waves at me.

I frown, perplexed. Who is this guy?"

"Hey there?" He says, his voice deepening like a typical 19-year-old boy's.

Could he be 19?...who cares.

I release the gate handle and fold my arms across my chest, my gaze piercing.

"Who are you? What do you want?" I ask, my tone calm.

"Oh," he chuckles, a hint of amusement in his voice.

My fingers twitch at his action, aching to pinch him hard.

"Well, I'm Daniel," he says, extending his hand for a handshake.

I glare at it with wide eyes, then glance up at him with a scowl.

"Are you normal?"

He raises both hands in a surrendering gesture.

"Take it easy, I'm just being friendly."

I let out a scoff, "Oh really?"

He nods, his eyes locked on mine.

I take a deep breath, my fingers drumming against my arms. Calm down, Mandy, calm down.

"You're being friendly, right?" I ask.

He nods again, his gaze intense, as if pinning me down.

Who is this guy?

He suddenly snaps his fingers in front of my face. "Are you still there?"

I blink rapidly, taking a step back.

"You're a crazy person! You just go around banging on people's gates like a madman. Don't you have manners?"

He bursts into laughter, the sound fueling my anger.

My teeth grind together as I glare at him, my grip on my arms tightening.

I could just...I could just...but I restrain myself.

His laughter gradually subsides, and I can't believe I watched him the entire time he was laughing.

"My dad didn't mention I'd be meeting someone like you today," he says, his expression serious.

I raise an eyebrow, "huh? What do you mean?"