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Sarah hesitated for a moment, clearly unsure of what she wanted to say. She had a thoughtful look on her face, and Carlisle could tell that she was trying to form her words carefully. “I was just thinking,” she began, her voice soft but steady, “that you’ve really been putting in a lot of effort lately. Do you think you’re ready for the SATs?”
Carlisle looked at her for a moment, taking in her sincere expression. He appreciated her concern, though part of him still felt a bit uncomfortable with her attention. “I’m ready,” he replied, keeping his voice calm. “I’ve been preparing for months now. It’ll pay off.”
Sarah smiled at him, her eyes reflecting a mixture of admiration and something else—perhaps a hint of worry. “I hope you’re right,” she said quietly. “You’ve been working so hard… You deserve it.”
Carlisle’s gaze softened slightly. He had come a long way from where he had started, and now, after months of tireless studying, the prospect of being admitted to Riverland University felt more tangible than ever. Still, there was that lingering thought in the back of his mind—what if it wasn’t enough?
Just as he was about to respond, Sean barged into the conversation with his usual enthusiasm. “Carl, you’re overthinking it again! You’ll be fine! You’ve been acing everything, and now you’re worried about an essay topic?” He laughed and slapped Carlisle on the back. “Come on, let’s go play! The SATs are still a few weeks away, and we’ve earned a break.”
Carlisle couldn’t help but chuckle at Sean’s exuberance. Sean was always quick to jump into action, often acting before thinking things through. But somehow, his carefree attitude was contagious. “Alright, fine,” Carlisle said, shaking his head. “We’ll go, but just for an hour. I need to stay sharp.”
Sean grinned widely, clearly excited. “Deal! I’ll hold you to that!”
Before they could leave, Sarah turned to Carlisle again. “I’ll see you later, okay?” Her voice was quiet but earnest. “Good luck with everything.”
Carlisle gave her a small nod, then followed Sean as they headed out of the classroom together. As they walked down the hallway, he couldn’t help but feel a strange mix of anticipation and uncertainty. There was no turning back now—he had to prove to everyone, and to himself, that he could succeed. Riverland University was just the beginning. He had already set his sights on more, and nothing was going to stop him from achieving it.
